New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-07-13
RFPEArING 4 Fatal BLUNDER

REPEATING 4 FATAL BLUNDER
lie must be a very dull student Of political
history who cannot read in the progress of
events in Mississippi and the other States OF
the South in which the opposition to Democ-
racy is gradually Disappearing, leaving to that
party the nObStructed possession of power,
eventually disastrous results to the OrgaDlza-
ton whose affairs seem to be gong on so
swimmngly. The South was never so weak
as when it seemed strongest and most united;
the end Of Slavery never so near and so sure
as when its defenders and advocates, iii
the arrogance of power, and with the as
surauce Of certain success, began to demand
not merely nOn-intcrfercnce, but the extension
and spread over new territory of their peculiar
institution. The North was never unit until
the continued entertainments of a United South
and the increasing demands of Southern states
men forced her into position of defense;
nor even then was the North so thorough
" united rs the opposing section, for the
party which carried a Solid South d.
vided the Northern States with an opponent
which could not poll. and was not permitted
to poll, hundred votes south of Mason and
Dixon's Line. Never were the prospects OF Il
party fairer for uninterrupted power than
when the Democracy held all the South be-
yond dispute and without opposition, and made
an equal fight for ascendancy III nearly all
the Northern States, 1t will be well for those
who to-day are counting upon the return OF
the Democratic party to power through the
means of a South so solid and united That
throughout It's whole extent, as now i'll Mis-
sissippi, no organized opposition can be found
to remember what came of precisely such a
condition of aifairs in 1886, when the new
party to which it gave rise first took shape
History on such lines as this does repeat it
self 1t is no less sure than that effect follows
cause. 1t is the absolutely certain logic of
events. No element of chance enters into it,
for it is the operation of natural laws which
cannot be overcome or turned aside. Leaving
out of the question the consideration of differ
ing climates, productions, forms of industry,
elements of growth, material resources and
popular habits and customs, which might enter
into a philosophic analysis of the political
problem the relative population OF the two
sections is the conclusive factor Ill IA sectional
contest which gives TO such an issue the
certainty of mathematical demonstration.
The political action which in Mississippi and
other Southern States, abolisnes opposition and
sways the whole voting population with one of
the two great parties which divide the North, is
simply suicidal madness. 1t has been tried
once already, with the most disastrous results.
Ii cannot be undertaken now, or ever again
hereafter. with anything like the chances for
success it had from 1856 to 1861. For then
the South had something like a pretext
for its action in the defense of its peculiar in
stitution. and the need of union in common
cause. To-day they are forming purely sec
tional party upon purely sectional basis,
with none, not even the tlimsiest, pretcnse of
a pretext The party they unite against is the
same they fought before, but they were soon
beaten on the issue; and upon their pretenSe
of having accepted in good faith the results
of the war; they have been treated with mag
nanmity, and have accepted at the hands Of
the victors favors for which common decency.
to say nothing Of gratitude, should dictate
some other return than sullen and ma
lignant hate. That they have no reasonable
ground of hostility to the party in power,
certainly none such as would justify this solid
sectional array against 1t, is attested by the
very fact that they are able to take such
an attitude. The South is deprived of no
right or privilege that any Northern State en-
Joys, nor are any of her rights iii danger of
attack or meddlesome interference. They have
their own sweet will in everything, and no
one interfcres or offers to. There is no ground
whatever for sectionalism in politics; nothing
to excuse sectional issue or justify Solid
South.
Against a Solid South there is soon TO be
Solid North; not so perfectly united as the
South, perhaps that is not necessary; but
solid enough and firm enough to possess the
Government. 1t will be stronger than i'll 1861 /;
stronger for the prestige of past success, the
enlarged experience Of added years, i'll
creased confidence IN its own resources, and
the consciousness of having earned power
honestly and used it worthily. The small
margin by which the Democrats carried two
or three Northern States in 1876 will crum-
bic away the instant such sectional is
sue is presented as that which the South
seems anxious TO invite. These maJortcs