The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-04-11
The Development of the Southern
SifuutSOu

The DeVeIOpmenC OIL the Southern
Situation.
THE great meeting of freedmen held at Peters
burg, Va, on Monday and the remarkable
letter of John Minor Bolts read to that meet
ing. and published in full in our columns yes
terday, show that the frequently expressed
opinion that the colored citizens of the South
will vote the Democratic ticket in accordance
with the dictates of their old masters, must be
received with a great deal of allowance.
Similar testimony is afforded by the immense
mass meeting of freedmen held in Knoxville,
Tennessee, and addressed by the leading
orators white and black, of that State. To
the same effect are the persistent efforts which
are being made by Sharkey, Walker, Jenkins
& Co., to obstruct the execution of the Recon-
struction law. All these things go to show
that the old dynasty that has so long held
sway in the South-a dynasty founded on
slavery and aristocracy-is about to pass away.
It is already melting like mist before the rising
sun of freedom and equality.
There are two classes of the old Rebel Slave
States. First, those in which the whites have
a largely preponderating majority of the popu-
lation; and, secondly, those in which the
blacks are nearly one-half or more than one
half of the people. Tennessee, North Caro-
lina Virginia, and Arkansas are examples of
ahe former; South Carolina, Mississippi, Ala
bama, and Louisiana are types of the latter.
Now, in all the former class of States there
is large body of original and persistent
UniOnists-men who never believed in the
Rebellion and never went into it, but on the
contrary, did all they could to oppose it, and
in many instances suffered very severely by it.
1t may safely be anticipated that this body of
original Unionists, which now forms the
nucleus of the Republican party in each of
these States, will take good care that the
Colored citizens shall be thoroughly informed
as to the true bearings of the political struggle
In which they are about to become active par
Elephants. This Petersburg meeting shows
how it will be done in Virginia. and the Knox
vile meeting shows how the thing is working
in Tennessee. In North Carolina the Repub-
Icans, white and black, have already organ
lied and adopted platform which fully covers
the great issues of the day. Proceedings of a
Similar character have been held in Arkansas
In these States we have never had moments
doubt that the Republicans, by thorough
organization and canvass, would be able to
carry the day. The colored population of
these States is more intelligent than that of
the Gulf States, and is already we'll posted in
the political movements of the day. .
In regard to the States where the blacks
form full moiety of the inhabitants, the only
possible hope of the Democrats for success is
IN dividing the vote of the colored citizens.
This they have commenced working for in
good earnest. The speech of Wade Hampton
shows the line of policy they intend to pur-
sue. And it is worthy of observation, that
the tone of the press in these States is much
more conciliatory towards the colored citizens
than it is in those States where the two races
are not so evenly divided. If the Democrat.
shall succeed in gaining any large portion O
The colored vote in these States, it can only bt
at the expense of conceding to the blacks the
fullest guarantees for political equality-sucl
guarantees as could only be violated at the
Imminent risk of bloody revolution. SaiC
Wade Hampton to the blacks, at Columbia,
'lf after we have framed new Constitution
you find in it one law for the white man. an
another for the black man, then vote it down
and refuse US your confidence
This, then, is the aspect of the souther
problem, so far as it relates to the vote of tn
Colored citizens. In all those States wbe,
there is nucleus of the original Union Ell,
ment around which the negro can rauv h
will do so, and the Republicans will carry II
day In the States where the two races al
pretty evenly divided, and where the white
were almost unanimously Rebels, the copte
will be more doubtful, but can be carried
neither party without giving the stronge
guarantees to the blacks OF civil and polite
equality.