Year: 1874

1t is not an unexpected event in the
present condition Of political affairs, that
the Southern States which have recently
held elections, should show falling off
in the Republican vote, and a correspon-
ding success on the part of the Demo
Gratis. In the off year" OF politics,
when the issues before the people are
mainly local, the Republican forces do
not exhibit the same degree of energy
and unity which characterize their eff
forts when great principles are at issue in
q national battle. This year the Repub
lican defeat seems more sweeping than
ordinary, which may perhaps, be traced
to causes which the Republican as a par
ty are powerless to remedy.


1t was a movement which stern neces-
sity alone could sanction, which made
suffrage universal and gave the ballot to
the negro race. Many even of those who
upheld this step felt that it was justifable
upon that one ground only. That while
the simple conditions of race and color
were no sufficient bar in eligibility of cit
izenship, yet the condition of gross ignor-
ance in which the slave population had
Of necessity been kept, untitled them for
its privileges and duties. This is now be-
ing demonstrated. Selfish white polti-
clans have guided and controlled the ne
gro voters, and under the rule of the two
classes, the condition of affairs in the
Southern States is such as reflects but
little credit upon those having control of
the State governments. Yet return to
Democratic rule seemed to promise no
better results, and the status of affairs in
the South might have remained unchang
ed, had it not been for the frebrand
thrown into the Republican camp in the
form Of Summers Civil Rights Bill
This measure was received by the white
population Of the South iE about the same
spirit a proposition to confer citizenship
on the Chinese would be received in this
State. The bare possibility of its becom-
ing a law had the effect of driving the
white Republicans of the South from the
party, and making the political contest
in that section Of our country rather
battle for supremacy of race, than for a
triumph of principle. The negros de-
manded that the support Of the Civil
Rights Bill be made a part of the party
creed, and in those States where the
/ blacks were numerically strong it was
done, but, as a measure of expediency it
did not prove successful. Those who op-
posed as we'll as those who favored it have
gone down in the general Republican de-
! feat.


We are not, however, to infer from
these elections that Republicanism is
crushed out in the South. Certain caus-
es have combined to produce certain re-
suits, and when these causes are remov-
ed, or disappear, the current Of political
events will resume its wonted channel.-
Southern Republicans and Unionists,
white as well as black, know that with
a Democratic National Administration
in power, the signal for revival of the
reign Of terror Of the Kuklux and kind
red organizations would be given, law
and order be set at defiance, and persecu-
ton of political enemies be the order of
the day. They know too much of the tenn
per and spirit Of their old advcrsaries to-
ward themselves to trust them with Ma
tional power during the life Of the pres
ent generation. Indeed, it is more than
/ probable that these present successes will
SO elate the leaders of the "grand old
party" that, forgetting that other cleo
tions are to follow these, they will pro-
coed upon the assumption that the return
Of Democratic rule Is to be perpetual
If they do their lease Of power will be
| short.


One other feature of Southern affairs
/ deserves attention. Gradually, but sure


iy, the freedmen are segregatng them
selves from among the whites in some
States, and concentrating in others. They
are leaving Tennessee and North Caro-
lima, and settling in South Carolina and
the Gulf States, Where they go, whites
leave. Hostile or class legislation will
have tendency to increase this desire of
emigrating, in which event some of the
States may come entirely under negro
rule. Such is very near being the case in
South Carolina to-day.