The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1891-07-15
The Force Bill.

Under the heading of "Raising the
Black Flag" the Louisville Conrier-
Journal quotes the following remarks
of the New York Tribune addressed
to Southern Republicans, and which
may be taken as significant, as illus
trating the policy which will be pur-
sued by that party as regards the
South in particular. We republish
the article and commend its careful
perusal to all members of the South
ern Alliance. Let them read it, and
study we'll its meaning, and then de-
termine whether the best interests of
the Alliance would be served by de-
serting the Democratic ranks, weak
eniug its strength, and thus enabling
the Republicans to obtain control,
and pass their pet measure, the force
bill, which will serve 50 materially to
keep them in power, and destroy the
combined hopes of the Democracy
and the Alliance for reform in the
governmental policy. The Tribune
says:
"Now it is said again that consid-
cradle bodies of substantial business
men at the South are disposed to give
their aid to Republican principles
They feel, it is stated, that the success
of the Republican policy of protection
is necessary to the welfare and the
development of their section. Some
of them are to meet at no distant day
it is said for the purpose of consider
ing what ought to be done to promote
the protective policy. 1t seems to be
not out of place to say to these gen.
tlemen they are either in favor Of
honest elections or they are not Re-
publicans. 1t may be to them dis
agreeable alternative, because it may
involve brave and possibly self-sac-
rifcing antagonism to the mob rule
and ring rule which prevail in some
of the Southern States. But the issue
cannot be avoided. There is no pow
er to divest the Republican party OF
responsible for measure which be-
longs to it, and is a necessary and an
essential part of its policy. Nothing
that can be done by Southern men OF
by Northern will lessen in the least
degree any hostility to the party grow
ing out of its advocacy of this meas
ure. The party as a whole has to
face manfully and frankly, the res
possibility for its belief that elections
ought to be free and honest in every
State. If there are Southern men
who do not believe this, or who be.
lieve it but do not dare to say it, it
may be well for them to consider be-
fore they go any further that the Re-
publican party can not sacrifice its
convictions for the sake of winning
support in any section Of the country"
The C0urier-J0mnal truly remarks
that: "There is no installing this ut
terance of the leading Republican
daily. The force bill sis a necessary
and essential part of its policy" and
no power can divest the Republican
party of its responsibility for that meas
ure. 1t is the raising of the black
flag, and the Bourbon's declaration of
war on the free elections of the peo-
pie. Protection is the object. The
overwhelming majority against that
policy at the last election has aroused
the party of spoliation, and it is going
to maintain its policy by force, since
it can not secure popular support in
any other way. While the force bill
was under discussion in Congress the
Tribune declared that it contained a
score of McKinly bills, and this is a
affirmation of that declaration"