Besides genuine concern over the way in which the negroes had been divested of political privileges conferred by national legislation, the Republicans felt a tingling sense of party injury.
The most eminent party leaders at this time--both standing high as presidential possibilities--were James G.Blaine and John Sherman.

In a magazine article published in 1880 Mr.Blaine wrote: "As the matter stands, all violence in the South inures to the benefit of one political party....

Our institutions have been tried by the fiery test of war, and have survived.

It remains to be seen whether the attempt to govern the country by the power of a 'solid South,' unlawfully consolidated, can be successful....

The republic must be strong enough, and shall be strong enough, to protect the weakest of its citizens in all their rights." And so late as 1884, Mr.Sherman earnestly contended for the principle of national intervention in the conduct of state elections.