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Editorial
May 29, 1885
The State Rights Democrat
Albany, Linn County, Oregon
What is this article about?
An editorial criticizes a Republican newspaper for claiming Southern elections are mere counts, accusing it of sowing discord between North and South to revive party fortunes via old sectional animosities. It argues such tactics will fail as the public seeks harmony.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
A stalwart organ of the Republican party says: "In the sixteen states of the South there are no elections-only a count. Even now their one hundred and fifty-three electoral votes are counted for 1888, and no contest for them will be permitted."
A man who truly loves his country, truth and right, will not utter such statements. A man who truly and earnestly desires to see good feeling and harmony restored between the North and South will not give expression to statements so entirely destitute and devoid of truth. But on the contrary a man who seeks to sow the seeds of discord, strife and civil war would say exactly what the organ above referred to says.
The man who would now attempt to plunge the country into civil strife by laving before the people such unfounded and inexcusable charges against the honesty and integrity of over twenty millions of people can have a love or regard for neither truth, country or humanity.
There is just as much reason for saying there are no elections-only a count-in Illinois as in Missouri: in Iowa as in Kentucky: in Rhode Island as in Delaware; in Maine as in Virginia; in Colorado as in West Virginia; in Oregon as in Florida; in Wisconsin as in Tennessee: in Michigan as in Texas; in Ohio as in Mississippi, and every intelligent person knows it.
No, there is a well grounded conviction in the minds of many Republican leaders that the only hope of a restoration of their party to power lies in a very free use of the bloody shirt. They cling to the belief that in appealing to the passions and bitter prejudices of the past they can so arouse the animosities formerly existing between the North and South as to solidify political sentiment in the North and thus place them in power again. But this will not succeed. The people in mass are utterly disgusted with the course of those who would continually stir up discord and hatred, and will place the seal of condemnation so emphatically upon those who attempt it, that no one again will dare to propose to make it the issue in a campaign.
A man who truly loves his country, truth and right, will not utter such statements. A man who truly and earnestly desires to see good feeling and harmony restored between the North and South will not give expression to statements so entirely destitute and devoid of truth. But on the contrary a man who seeks to sow the seeds of discord, strife and civil war would say exactly what the organ above referred to says.
The man who would now attempt to plunge the country into civil strife by laving before the people such unfounded and inexcusable charges against the honesty and integrity of over twenty millions of people can have a love or regard for neither truth, country or humanity.
There is just as much reason for saying there are no elections-only a count-in Illinois as in Missouri: in Iowa as in Kentucky: in Rhode Island as in Delaware; in Maine as in Virginia; in Colorado as in West Virginia; in Oregon as in Florida; in Wisconsin as in Tennessee: in Michigan as in Texas; in Ohio as in Mississippi, and every intelligent person knows it.
No, there is a well grounded conviction in the minds of many Republican leaders that the only hope of a restoration of their party to power lies in a very free use of the bloody shirt. They cling to the belief that in appealing to the passions and bitter prejudices of the past they can so arouse the animosities formerly existing between the North and South as to solidify political sentiment in the North and thus place them in power again. But this will not succeed. The people in mass are utterly disgusted with the course of those who would continually stir up discord and hatred, and will place the seal of condemnation so emphatically upon those who attempt it, that no one again will dare to propose to make it the issue in a campaign.
What sub-type of article is it?
Partisan Politics
What keywords are associated?
Republican Party
North South Harmony
Bloody Shirt
1888 Elections
Sectional Strife
Civil War Fears
What entities or persons were involved?
Republican Party
Southern States
Northern Voters
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Criticism Of Republican Use Of Sectional Strife In 1888 Elections
Stance / Tone
Strongly Opposed To Reviving North South Animosities For Political Gain
Key Figures
Republican Party
Southern States
Northern Voters
Key Arguments
Southern Elections Are Not Mere Counts, Comparable To Northern States
Such Claims Sow Discord And Risk Civil Strife
Republican Leaders Rely On 'Bloody Shirt' Tactics To Regain Power
Public Disgust With Stirring Hatred Will Condemn These Efforts