The Morning Star And Catholic Messenger

CAUCUS OF REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMEN ON SOUTHERN AFFAIRS.—The Republican Senators held a caucus on the 21st, at the solicitation of the Southern Republican Senators and Representatives, at which the condition of the South was considered. The Senators from the South advocated the sending of troops to several of the States of that section. They feared that the Republican party was hopelessly dead, unless decisive steps were taken at the present session to put down the turbulent whites. They confessed their inability to poll white votes. The Northern Senators did not endorse the proposition, and some of them openly expressed themselves against farther interference with the affairs of the South, saying they had lost many votes in the North by it. Senator Lewis, of Virginia, declared the Republican party had lost power in the South, because of the bad character of many of its would-be leaders and the advocacy of the civil rights bill, which he considers a most iniquitous measure. The South could only be carried for the Republican party, as at present organized, by sending soldiers enough there to prevent people from voting. The majority evidently agreed with him, as, before the vote was taken, many Senators left the room, and Senator Morton, who was relied upon by the extreme Republicans, did not come to their relief.