Year: 1868

tional politics is that the people of the North do not
understand the condition of the South 1t cannot with


justice be said that the large majority are unwilling to
recognise facts they exat The noble efforts of the
Democracy convince us that large, powerful body Of
the American people do not sanction the wrongs under
which suffer. They have made their
own. True they have not yet succeeded in wrestling
the Government from the party which controls it,
but in their efforts to that end they have themselves
endured social and political prescription and abuse
equaled only by that which has been heaped upon ns.


The party in power, it would appear, is still in the
majority in the North and West. Bat their power is
more apparent than real Or enduring, and their ma


orities such as can be by continued wisdom
and prudence on the part of the Democracy.


1t cannot for moment be doubted Or contended
that large mass of still adhere to the Radical
party from causes which had their origin in 1850 or
arose during the war, and which have not yet ceased


operate. The Radical party have, far, been able
to conduct their campaign as if we in the midst
Of war. The commercial and financial evils, foiIies
and crimes Of their administration have not yet been
sufficiently developed in their evil influence upon the
prosperity of the country to bring them home to each


individual CITIZEN and thereby exercise controlling


influence upon the opinions and convictions OF the
people Meantime they have been able to 60 before
the country Ginning to be the party which saved the
nation and by the fortunate choice OF leader who
has not lost the confidence Of the people of the
North and West they have been able to retain
power. They have retained power by retaining tie
votes of large and powerful class of voters in all the
Northern and Western States who not being strongly
committed to any party, known as conservatives
and who, though discrediting and doubling the Rad
cal policy have not vet been able decide in favor
of the Democracy. However violent and vindictive
the original genuine Radical may be, we have strong


faith; than that know that the conservatives
alluded to not inspired by any convictions pur-
poses of malice of hatred, and we believe that they
have been mslead and deceived.


But the alarming questions arise can the country
continue in its present condition of disquet and unrest
and can we ourselves maintain peace and good order
at the South If we cannot do so by our patience
and forbearance, can General Grant do so and con-
tinue to carry the reconstruction laws? May not
the misconceptions and misunderstanding which have
retained so large a conservative vote for Gen. Grant
while explaining his election, if such an event take
place, yet be the of peril to the Constitution and
of caamties to the country which we fear to contem
plate?


1t is undeniably true that the State governments
created at the South the of force Of fraud
and tyranny tha they do not embody the will Of the
people, and that they odious in their origin and
administration They are born Of violence, created
by force and can exist by force and by force alone.
The Southern States have been denied power over their
own internal affairs. They must and no doubt will
seek remedy. The natural, npusive and inevitable
inclinatons of freemen will impel them to demand
remedy. We trust that the remedy will be obtained
in peaceful manner. Let it be understood that we
referring only TO our local affairs and to
called State governments aad that the attitude of the
South towards the Union and the national Government
is not enemies state, that Of dsloyalty and hos
tity. In these subjects the North are as deeply in
terested ourselves. How long freedom be main
tanned or enjoyed there if the Constitution be violated
here?


That the condition Of the country in view OF these
questions is alarming to every patriot and to all who
pause long enough to think cannot be doubted These
questions cannot be too constantly brought to the at
tenton Of people and OF the entire country
In some way other every citizen by his thoughts
opinions and vote exercises influence. Never be-
fore in the history Of the country did it thor
oughlG become the citizen to see that his influence is
exercised. For ourselves, must
tinue to act nelligently and to avoid precpancy so
that by act Of ours it may be said that evil councils
have been enabled to prevail. We cannot too ur-
gently impress upon the Northern people the neces
sity of once more calmly and deliberately reviewing
our situation. 1t will be we'll and happy for the
try it be preserved in peace by the action Of its
entire people, and our hearts will be truly grateful if
we be compelled to witness the sad strife of fac
tons or Of parties.