Year: 1877

done at all it must be by a Republican ! Administration.

 l Will it be possible for any man or sci of men in the republican party to 1 make use of the conservative element in

 the South in recognizing the Republi- 1 can party there Oh new and better ba-

 SIS? It will be no easy task, and whoever 1 undertakes 1t must expect to meet the

 bitterest opposition both in his own par l ty and ia that of his opponents. His first duty would be to convince the conserva- tive white people that dishonest and dis reputable men, those who have no in-

 terests in common with the people among

 whom they live, and no occupation but office holding, are no longer to be recog-

 nized and upheld by the administration at

 Washington. This first step would arouse

 the enmity of large class of Republican

 politicians holding State and Federal off.

 ces in the South, and who. with those in

 the North who sYmpathize with them.

 would begin a most relentless warfare

 against such a reform. It might even

 cause division in the Republican party

 at the outset, but the man who under

 took this policy would have the support

 of the best men in his party, and believe

 they would be majority of it. The

 strong partisans among the Democrats,

 the Hast Ditchers, "in Louisiana and the

 Bourbons in the North, would also

 throw obstacles in the way of 8 reform of

 this kind, for if it should succeed their hopes of future political victory would be destroyed.

 These first steps, it seems to me, would be the most difficult to take. and at the very outset the danger of failure would be greatest. But suppose that success has up to this point crowned the efforts of Republican President who has under taken to reorganize his party in the South on the basis described; suppose that his party in the North has stood by him and supported him that he has found men

 who are honest and respected by tbe peo pie to hold the Federal offices in the South, and that he has convinced the Con- servatives of that section of his sincerity of purpose, would they aid him, or would they take advantage of the demoralized condition of the Republican party in their States to solidify the opposition and es. tablish it on firmer basis than ever? Of course 1t is impossible to Say what would happen under such circumstances, but ]. believe that the old dislike of the Demo- cratic party and name would show itself as it never has done before since the war, and that there would be a party formed in each of the Southern States which, though it might not call itself Republi- can, would give it's support to a National Republican President who pursued a policy similar to that which have mark cd out. 'f ~s ->

 Ihave thus far said nothing of the col |, them during this reorganization. Of course. they would have to be guaran- teed in the enjoyment of all the civil and political rights that have been conferred upon them by the Constitution and sertion of them would be fatal. But I doubt if forcible interference in their be- half would be necessary at any time, 1 am sure that the moment a considerable number of the white people of any South der politically, no Federal interference of any kind will be necessary to protect the negro in the free exercise of the right of suffrage. The negro vote will divide the moment the white people that occurs the managers of neither party will allow their colored allies to be bull dozed.

 believe, therefore. that reorganiza- ton of parties in the South will be pos Bible under wise and liberal Republican although it will not be a work easy to accomplish The man who it must make up his mind to meet and conquer opposition in his own party and in that of his political op- ponents. He will be denounced as a traitor by some who helped to elect him, and looked upon with suspicion by oth- srs; but if he succeeds he will have per- formed service for his country which will place him in the front rank of it greatest benefactors