Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-08-10
nag Ae6rH
Her Political Future.


is most encouraging. She Is now
respected and patroniEed by those
who a few years ago denounced and
oppressed her. Her patience under
wrong, her heroism and vitality in
the midst of Observation-Disclosures and
disaster, her dignified appeals to the
"sober second thought" of the
American People, and her brave ad-
vocacY Of, and faith in Constitution
al Government, promises an album
dant harvest. Impoverished by
war, legislated against by bitter, re-
lentless partizans, too weak Oresist
any encroachment OfpOWer, and too
helpless to challenge the selfish res
pect Of political demagogues, the
very usurpations and expressions
designed for her impoverishment
and humiliation have reacted upon
her enemies, and to-day they cry
to her, ''IIelp me Cassius, or sink. :"
Between the two great political
parties now contending for suprem-
acy, the South holds the balance Of
power. The North is so equally di-
vided that the question of par
ty strength Is very doubtful; and
hence, both parties look to the South,
which is in a condition to act with
almost perfect unanimity. The re-
cognition of this fact by the Grant
Radicals is evidenced in their plat
form, and by their unparalleled eff
forts to control Southern elections.
1t is true that Radical hopes of sue
cess in the South is now principally
based on the negro vote. But the
negro vote is becoming more and
more unreliable every year. As that
race grows in intelligence and expe-
rience it becomes more conservative,
and a stronger community of inter
est and feeling springs up with the
Southern whites. The influence of
the whites over the blacks has stead
lily increased, and under amnesty
has received a still greater impetus.
Hence, in our judgment, the Novem-
berelection viii be the last political
struggle of the races in the South
the last effort of any party to pro-
duce race ahtagonism, and the last
attempt to mintain mere party su-
premacy by appeals to the ignorant
prejudices and passions of the ne
gro.
In the present contest, the Grant
party, after making a liberal plat
form with the view of recruiting
their ranks from the whites of the
South, were driven to its old tactics
by the universal uprising all over
the Republic for Greeley, as a der
nier resort, the last desperate hope
of its crumbling fortunes. And we
repeat that it is the last political
contest in the South based solely
upon prejudices of race, that in fu-
ture conflicts both parties will labor
for the support of Southern white
men, and that bids like those of
Cincinnati and Philadelphia will be
fixed principle of party tactics,
and unlike the latter named, sincere
and fruitful of good.
After the smoke of November's
battle has cleared away, parties will
adapt themselves to the changed
condition of things, will cease to
cry "warr when there is no war;
but viii divide upon questions of
national policy and interpretations
of national law. Then the advan-
tages of the South's peculiar posi-
ton, her influence over the negro,
her unanimity will be fully appre-
ciated by both national parties, and
the incalculable benefits to her pro-
portionate to that appreciation
Questions likely to divide parties in
the future, will create stronger di-
visions, and fiercer antagonisms in
the North than in tho Snntb; and
hence the South will stand between
the parties of the future holding the
balance of power. This fact will
give to the South much of the pa
tronage and power of the Govern
ment, and enable her to re-habiIitate
herself, and to take that position in
the republic to which she is entitled
by her resources and intelligence
The dawn of returning power has
indeed broke upon the South. She
is coming out of the storm of par
tizan passion and hate without a
mast broken or a sail lost. Slowly
but surely the work has been done,
and by prudence it viii remain a
monument to Southern patience,
perseverance and genius. Let us
carefully husband our resources,
prudently guard our advantages,
avoid passion and violence, and &eep
our eyes steadily to the front, and
our loved South viii be the richest
as well as the fairest of creation,
and her political power and influ-
enee second to no section Of the re-
D1hIie