ted and denounced the fundamental and sacred
creed of that organization, would be looked upon by the public as a
close, selfish and local machine that was brought into existence to
serve the ends, and satisfy the selfish ambition of the promoters and
organizers of the corporation. Yet there were a few well-meaning and
honest white men in some of the Southern States who were disposed,
through a mistaken sense of political necessity, to give such a movement
the benefit of their countenance. But the movement has been a lamentable
failure in States where it has been tried, and it cannot be otherwise in
States where it may yet be tried. Men who were in sympathy with a
movement of this sort took a pronounced stand against the proposed
Federal Elections Bill, and used what influence they had to prevent its
passage; their idea being that, if passed, it would have a tendency to
prevent the accomplishment of the purposes they had in contemplation.

Third, a group that consisted of a still smaller number who were
Republicans for revenue only,--for the purpose of getting office. If an
office were in sight they would be quite demonstrative in their advocacy
of the Republican party and its principles; but if they were not
officially recognized, their activities would not only cease, but they
would soon be back into the fold of the Democracy. But should they be
officially recognized they would be good, faithful, and loyal
Republicans,--at least so far as words were concerned,--until they
ceased to be officials, when they would cease at the same time to be
Republicans. Men of this class were, of course, opposed to the proposed
legislation for the enforcement of the war amendments to the
Constitution.

Fourth, a group that consisted of an insignificantly small number of
white men who claimed to be national Republicans and local
Democrats,--that is, they claimed that they voted for the Republican
candidate for President every four years, but for Democrats in all other
elections. Of course they were against the proposed legislation. These
men succeeded in inducing some well-meaning Republican members of
Congress, like Senator Washburne, of Minnesota, for instance, to believe
that the passage of such a bill would have a tendency to prevent the
building up of a strong Republican organization at the South. Then
again, the free silver question was before the public at that time. The
Republican majority in the Senate was not large. Several of