Year: 1876

and their alice of the North that they, who II moved
by justice and gratitude would have been the protcc
tors OF the negro. consprcd Tor his ruin But II
we have erred to whom is our apology due OF whom
TO ask forgiveness2 Perhaps of the negro who
Is the victim of confidence by misplaced and TO his
great harm Perhaps OF the soldier oi the Union who
sees The run oi his toll wresed from those who rst
OF all should have participated in its enjoyment But
surely no apology can be rendered to those, forgive
ness cannot be asked of those whose crimes have
trbuted TO the partial failure of the scheme of recon-
struction.


RESULTS DEMOCRATIC SUCCESS


And II these errors are TO be corrected shall the
work OF reformation be intrused 10 It's friends or 10 its
enetniesS The success OF the democratic party will
command peace in the south but II will be peace
secured by the iorcble suppression OF every political
opinion except its own. II will create solitude IN
political affairs and call peace The negroes Will be
kept from the polls and the white republicans will DO
murdered, driven out of the country OF ntmidated
into silence and shall then be told that everywhere
there is order in the South These dreams
prophecies but plain narrative Of existing facts in
several States, and TO be made universal IN the South
and permanent in the policy and government OF the
country IN case the present political campaign ends in
democratic success. Texas, Arkansas Mississippi,
Alabama and Georgia have been taken by fraud and
force and 10y fraud and force they are now held Ii
diler to the extent of the Wrongs If there are
questions OF responsibility OF motives, which We can
not now answer, the fact remains that great outrages
have been perpotraicd that republicans have been the
sufferers and the only sufferers, and that the
quences have Injured 10 the benefit and to the benefit
only OF the democratic party. In ordinary AFFAIRS
person convicted OF crime from which he has derived
SPECIAL advantage is not only deprived OF the mercy Of
the law in the sentence pronounced upon him. but he
fails TO secure from his fellow men the barren SYM
pathy which is often accorded to common criminals
This is the position OF the democratic party Nor
II now plead that these wrongs, in alarming de-
gree OF vigor, do not exist


The resolution upon the subjcc; passed by the House
Representatives, the motioa OF Mr. Scott Lord,


democrat, the resolution adopted by the Democratic
Convention ol New York, are alike confession that
outrages have assumed national importance and
a confession as well that the democratic party has
power than others TO prevent repetition of
them


II the leaders OF tho democratic party
something might be gained but they were more
prompt denounce the President for the only
possible tor preventing the outrages OF which the
resolutions complained than they were in denouncing
the outraees themselves, and apparently they were
much in earnest Moreover We cannot be
otherwise than deeply impressed by the fact that
these outraees in their political consequences IN the
States contribute to the OF the democratic
party the country, and that OF real peace in
the South would DC ruin, utter and complete rum, to
their hopes.


EysANGuISED SHIRT.


Nor should we delude ourselves with the idea that
these ourages will neither be repeated in the States
where they have occurred nor initiated IN States that
yet under republican rule. The motive for these
outr8ges only continues but its force increases
each day approach the Presidential election.
large part of the ablebodiod white men OF the Gulf
States completely armed and enrolled In military
political. On the 18th OF August last less thar
month ago. Governor Chamberlain, OF ~outh Carolina,
announced to speak at Edgehed Court House. IN
that State. The meeting was called by republicans,
the speakers announced were republicans exclusively,
and yet the hour body OF six hundred armed men
appeared demanded onehali of the time Tor demo-
cratic orators. This demand could not be refused.
Governor Chamberin spoke, but under great
stralnt He was followed by General Butler, O Ham,
burg fame The meeting disturbed from The first,
and before the day closed, Governor Chamberlain and
the republicans, chiefly negroes, lett the grounds fol-
lowed by Il democratic moe engaged IN Jcerpg and In
sutng the Governor and his supporiers Is there any
whc does not discern the sgnlcance OF such
day and such sceneY Is there any oae who does not
realize what is in store for South Carolina, the rmest
OF the republican Slatesy And with stronger
we can foresee the fate OF every state in which the
negroes either are majority, or combined with whites,
secure u republican victory. II one Stale OF the
eleven is permitted to vote Tor Governor Hayes. VIII
be for the purpose OF furnishing evidence that the su
fages OF tho other ten are not the fruit OF fraud or
force.


but gentlemen there is not a more suggestive and
alarming circumstance than the concession which re-
pupcans daily make TO each other and TO the country,
that the South will give united electoral vote for Mr.
Tilden, although know that in four States
1ortes overwhelming, and that IN three others .
free canvass and election would give us an even chance
OF victory. And will you or will any OF my country
men ask me why give mpoi tancc. prominence, su-
prcmacy the Southern question? Or says, Why not
heed the suggestion that these ourages do not
us that favor local seli-government, that time
the people OF the South Will correct the evils which
now the subject of complantY answer that
| am nov dealing with the question for the pur-
pose OF suggesting remedies for the evils, not
much for the purpose OF liking the responsibility.
The peril is too great, the danger too imminent, for
discussion whose valuo Is confined chiefly TO legis
ative halls. | am now only ANXIOUS that We shall so
the country from the consequences uf
these wrongs. Unless all democrats well as
publlcaas msjudse public sentiment and the course OF
events Governor Tden has chance of election,
except by Of States which II left to themselves
would support Governor Hayes II then, under such
circumstances. Governor iiden is declared President
by the houses OF Congress in February next his
advancement Will be due to a usurpation as un-
scrupulous and as bloody as that by which Napoleon
III passed from the Presidency of France TO
the throne and title of Emperor OF the French
This Is the grave question which now concerns the
country This is the question OF questions. which the
American people have never been called to consider
until now-wbether by and through usurpation begun
and carried IN States by organized bodies OF armed
the government OF the United States be seized
under the forms OF law by the leader oil the minority


FINANCIAL QUESTION.


Above all do those who look anNously for the day
when the paper currency OF the country shall be
valuable gold the hope that the democratic
purity Will encourage policy Of resumption? But,
gentlemen, ought not to surprise that party
which is false 10 the rights of man should be inder
ent 10 the claims OF business aud to the honor and
good name OF the country In word, there is not an
interest right public or private, that is sale in the
hands of The democratic party. The democratic party
is not the party of the country; 1t rs the party OF
secton-of section animated by the spirit OF the
belion. Again The Southern questionis the great
question. To day the questions OF resumption, of
legislation hostile to business, OF policy injurious
fatal TO the public credit, all proceed IRON tho
cumstance that the citizen negro not permitted to
vote IN many OF the states oil tho south thus does
the law OF justice bind to the negro and compel
to protect h'm in his rights rs the only means of
security to ourselves Thus his question is ques-
ton. thus are humanity and business, justice and
prosperity, IN public affairs inscparably connected.


Gentlemen haze thus set orlh the dangers To which
the country is exposed They real dangers. the
chiei OF which is that the government may be
taken under the forms OF law but in vio-
lation OF the constitutional rights OF citizens
dislranchised by force, and violation AS
well OF the constitutional rights OF US all These
dangers, but they should not give TO
dependency ON our part Rather should they inspire
with courage and confidence. We have never yet
appealed to the people The great State OF New
York is intelligent and patriotic. The destiny Of the
country is IN It's hanas The republican party IS there
led 10y able and honest men, men worthy OF generous
support. Governor Hayes and Mr. Wheeler with
out rcproaoh the principles OF the republican party
have been tested They saved the country in time of
war. they VIII preserve IL time OF peace. No other
political organization has has had glorious
record and IL there spots upon IL, may with
pride say that it bear some spots and yet tear
rival.


Mr. Boutwell, concluded his speech at 1915 p ~,
being frequently interrupted by applause.


Mr.. Blaine from the Committee on Credentials, re-
ported that sos towns aud cities represented by
Less delegates


Hon. George f. Hoar took tho PLATFORM and was
most heartily received