The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1917-07-05

w dSA Cu0 RepuDIlCan party porn
of the hatred of the North against
the South? Didn't it drive the South
into secession? Didn't it free the
negro, pass the odious Reconstruction
laws and attempt to enslave the
white voters Of the South? Of course
it did.
Wasn't the Democratic party kept
alive by the South? Wasn't it put
into power by the votes of the South?
OF course it was.
Did ever more malignant, tyran-
niCal despotic set of men rule a po-
litical party than old Thad Stevens
and Edwin M. Stanton?
Did any political party ever have
as much power over the American
people as did the Republican party
from 1850 to 1870?
Didn't it keep the State of Georgia
and other Southern States under
military rule and Government from
the day of Lees surrender to some
time in the 70's, at least four years
after every Confederate soldier had
laid down his arms?
If you doubt it ask any old Con-
federate and get the information.
Why am [ telling this to you?
Because [ want you to draw a COM
parison that may strengthen your
backbone and awaken you to con-
tempt for the truculent press and
faWning pulpitters which bend the
pregnant hinger of the knee to the
god Of mammOn.
In those days, like now, there
were few men in Georgia who were
conscious of their rights and not
afraid to avoW them. Listen to this
language which appeared in the Au-
Susta Chronicle-yes, the Chronicle
men owned and edited it then
and were not afraid The series Of
articles were written by Benz. Hill
They lifted the South from despair
to manhood. l can copy only a few
paragraphs.
''The United States has done more
III these years to weaken confidence,
in free institutions and have in
ficted more injury upon their own
people and created heavier burdens
for their children and childrens
children than the united armies and
nayies of the earth could have &C
complished in fifty years with
such experience fresh and still
menacing, how shall We wonder if
true men doubt, if brave men fear,
and if good men despise. He is stu
pidly blind who does not see that the
evils before us are far greater than
the evils behind us. Our people
have drank bitter cups, but they are
as honey when compared with the
cups they must drink if the child
is not taken from the wolf, if the
constitution is not taken from the
nursing care Of those who hate it,
if the government shall continue to
be administered by it's enemies.
1t may turn out that no man-that
no human power can arrest this reyO-
luton. 1t may be that a change Of
government, through an ordeal of
anarchy is inevitable. But this much
every man can do: he can see to it
that if this revolution must come it
shall not owe it's coming to his con-
sent. If the constitution must be
violated it shall not be by him If
the government must be subverted,
it shall be the work Of others.
Mark this whatever the people and
rulers may do, they cannot support
or preserve the government by vi0-
lating it's fundamental law
Again, in criticising the military
bills embracing Reconstruction, he
announced this conclusion: "They.
will cOnsummate the subyersion of %
the Republic; the destruction of the
constitution; the annihilation of in
dividual liberty; and the ultimate,
hu+ cOmn1n}p nhoy,0n Of all Au1n1,ica0