Assignment: Write an extended paragraph of 8-12 sentences on the document below responding to the following prompt: What does this document demonstrate about Republicans' political efforts in the South during Reconstruction?

Conversation Between a Republican and a Democrat

Republican. Well, neighbor Democrat, how do you stand on politics nowadays?

Democrat. I am a Democrat still.

R. Going to support the Democratic ticket and endorse the acts of the late Legislature, are you?

D. Yes.

R. Why?

D. Because the members were economical, honest, and worked for the best interests of the State.

R. Do you consider they were economical when they spent sixty-five thousand dollars to impeach Gov. Holden for trying to put down the Ku–Klux? or when they spent twenty thousand dollars in passing an unconstitutional convention bill to further their own selfish aims? or, in short, when they spent about the same per year for doing what they did, as the Republicans spent in putting the whole machinery of the State Government in operation?

D. Well, but they cut down the salaries of officers.

R. Yes, they cut down the salaries of Republican officers, but didn't they raise the salary of their Democratic Attorney General from $1,500 to $4,800? And is it not almost certain that if all the officers had been Democrats, the salaries of all would have been increased?

D. But they were honest, and there was no bribery and corruption among them like there was in the Legislature of 1868-'69.

R. Well, didn't the members of the late Legislature tell the people that unless the convention was called, the tax to pay the interest on the public debt would be levied, and the tax being eight dollars where it had formerly been one dollar, the homesteads would be sold.

D. Yes, they did.

R. Well, the convention was not called, the tax was not levied, the homesteads were not sold, and are not they--these honorable men, members of the late Legislature--most infamous liars?

D. A-h-e-m, they didn't tell the truth square out.

R. Didn't they say, too, "if the convention is not called we must either levy that tax or resign, or be perjured villains?"

D. I believe they did say so.

R. How then can you, an honest farmer, support and endorse the members of the late Legislature that were extravagant, corrupt, bitterly partizan, that denied to the people the great right of petition, usurped numerous unguaranteed powers, attempted to trample down the Constitution, disfranchised citizens to secure their own selfish aims, placed arbitrary restrictions upon the voters of the State, shielded and legislated for Ku-Klux murderers, and who, by their own evidence and confessions, are infamous liars and perjured villains?

D. Well, neighbor Republican, you see I never studied about nor examined these matters much, but I tell you they must clear up all of these things before the election or I cannot go for them.

R. You and every other farmer ought to study the acts of your representatives. I want you to examine into what I have said. You can find the documents at the Clerk's office. The fact is I want to talk with you a great deal before the election. You and I are common farmers. We and all others of our class are honest. The leaders are the ones that are dishonest and selfish. We being honest and desirous of our welfare, which is most certainly the welfare of the State, should examine the principles of the two parties, the characters of their leaders, and determine which is more favorable to our rights and interests. I think I can prove to you from authentic records that the Republican party is the only party that has ever taken a deep interest in the welfare, education, and promotion of the masses--the only one that has ever punished public criminals and cast them aside--and the only one that chooses for its leaders the best, purest, and ablest of its members. Good-day! I hope to see you again soon.

D. Good-day!