The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-24
DEMOCRACY FALSE TO PLEDGES.

We have frequently alluded 10 the fac
that the Third-party men, finding it neces
sary to say something which will Offset thu
prejudices which Southern white voter
naturally have against the Force bill. arr
constantly charging the Democratic party
with having been false to its pledges. We
have also frequently shown the absurdity
Of any such charge as to Federal legislation
because the Democrats have never since the
war. been in control of the Federal Govern,
meut and have. therefore, been powerless to
direct legislation. Despite this. however
they have done q great deal.
When the war ended the Southern States
were bounced upon by horde of Republi-
can harpies, domestic and imported who
Immediately took possession of their gov
ernments and were kept in power by the
assistance of United States bayonets.
These gentry fairly reveled in robbery
and outrage. and having the South COM
pletely at their mercy. were enabled to
strip her bare of what little the war
had left her with impunity. and whenever
the people of any State, as was the case
once or twice in Louisiana, became des-
perate and we're goaded on to resistance.
Immediately the whole force of the Govern
ment at Washington was called into use to
put them down. There are a great many
people now living in Virginia who remem-
Der wildly the horrors Of sufferings Of those
reconstruction days.
During the entire period Of the carpet
bag and scalawag regime in the South the
Democratic party of the Union strove to
accomplish the relief of the Southern peo-
pie. They fought the reconstructionists by
every means in their power-in the press,
on the stump, in and out of Congress
and persisted in their struggle tor the
rights and liberties OF the whole people
Of the Union, the South included, despite
defeat after defeat and all manner of dis
couragement. At length their persever-
ance was rewarded, and as State after State
threw of the csrpetbag and scalawag yoke.
that State Immediately began TO prosper and
flourish. At length Federal authority
ceased entirely in the South. home rule
was fully restored and each State
secured control of its own affairs.
and from the moment that this
happy condition was effected through
the persistent efforts of the Democracy
of the Union. the South began to stride
rapidly onward. until to-day she has made
such progress as TO excite the wonder of the
world, and the post bellum history Of the
South and her prosperous condition to-day
is practical illustration of what the Democ-
racy has done despite obstacles apparently
insurmOuntable.
1t does not seem credible that in face of
such record. Southern Democrats could
be made to believe that the Democracy has
been false to It's pledges. since but for the
Democracy the South, instead Of now being
prosperous and happy. would long since
have been cast in the slough of Despond.
When Third party office-seek ers .demagogues
or soreheads endeavor, in the pursuance
of their own selfish schemes. to draw off
the allegiance of Southern white men from
the Democratic party, let the incalcuable
benefits which the National Democracy has
conferred on the South be recalled. 1t is
an old story but one which should never
fail to interest the Southern people, es-
pecially as their enemies will leave no stone
unturned to revive the experiences of re-
construction.