Year: 1879

mics in the field, and whom they con-
quered, that an intelligent public Opin-
ion frowns down any ill-natared or ma
liciOus reference to the past which seems
intended to wound the sensibilities of
the defeated party, or act as an I'M
pleasant reminder But in the face, and
in spite of all this, the Democratic ma
jority in Congress,of which the Southern
Democrats, lately in rebellion, are the
controlling element, have raised an issue,
not simply with the present Admins
tration, but with the party and the peO-
pie who supported the Government du-
ring the Rebellion, and who are respOn-
sible for the legislation of the war peri
cd, upon which it is impossible to avoid
reyiving the past and recalling the pain
full circumstances which made certain
legislation necessary. And while they
and their Northern allies cry out against
the cruelty and injustice of reviving the
past, they revive it themselves. 1t is
this situation of affairs that forces the
Republican party and the lOyal-yes,
loyal is the word, though Northern
Democrats do hate the sound of it, and
would like to drive it out of the vOcabu-
lary-the loyal people of the North. to
recall the past, and justify it. If it is
the old fight, it is none of our renewing.
When the Southern Democracy cried
quits we were willing to hold off, to for
give all, and forget all. But it should
be understood that we are not ashamed
of our past, and that We are net ready to
sit by and see our lately defeated adver-
saries come up to Congress with whole
sale denunciatiOns of the work we did
in suppressing them, and the insolent
demand that it should all be swept
away.


We are not ready for that. And
when, after the generous treatment
which has been accorded to them, they
deliberately formulate, as an issue upon
which to go to the people of the whole
Union, the proposition that the legisla-
lation of the war or of the period of re-
construction was harsh and unjust to-
ward them, or that under it they have
been unduly interfered with, restrained
of their liberty or deprived of theiI
rights, we cam do no less thanmee them
squarely on the ground of their own
choosing, and for. the justice of Oul
cause appeal to history and to the histo-
ry and to the record they seem so anx-
ious to suppress. Let us then call things
by their right names, and not hesitate tC
cite the record. They come, forward
with a grievance. Let us not from any
foolish fear of reviving the old cOntrO
versy shrink from full inquiry into its
merits. The Democratic party comes
charging down upon us with the accusa
tion that in the suppression Of Demo
cratic rebellion and the maintenance Of
the Union we have trammpled down the
rights of the States, violated the Consti
tuition, and endangered, if not destroyed
the freedom Of elections. And they say
too. that we have perpetrated great
wrongs and injustice in our efforts tC
prevent frauds upon the ballOt-box
These are vital questions. They takt
hold upon the past as well as reach for
ward to the future. They involve al
appeal to history, and the resuscitatioI
of bygones that will not be profitable tt
the gentlemen who have forced them on
But our Democratic friends have chOser
their own ground, and it shall not bt
our fault if they are not met fully an(
frankly at every point in the controver
syn. Y. Tribune.