The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1877-10-11

Zon,-IneJn0QS more III accord with
the spirit Of our age and institutions.
and, while we have confidence, will
ultimately best secure to all the enjoy
ment OF all their rights.
The danger arising from the "S0lid
South, and the addition of thirty-fye
Congressman to the Southern represen-
tation by the negro vote, I cannot think,
from cur standpoint, quite as alarming
as some of our Northern Republicans
have done. 1t is much to be regretted,
no doubt, and | think the Southern
whites have made q mistake for their
own interests in preferring Democracy
to my own faith with such unanimity,
but | am unable to regard that fact in
itself as evidence Of REASONABLE intent.
The increase in the number of Con-
gressmen is an incident to the freedom
and the extension of the elective fran
chiSe to the negroes, for, while it is only
just to concede that the Southern white
is little responsible, and it is attended
with too many real advantages in view
Of all the possibilities Of the future, to
Justify any serious regrets.
The peril TO the nation from the
unanimity Of the white vote can only
arise from the fact that this is the re-
suit Of a combination. with the Interior
purpose of a new secession and rebel
lion, or at least of the control of the
National Government for evil purposes.
Now, it scarcely seems to us here that
the origin Of this political unanimity is
really due, in all candor, to any premed-
itated concert of action 1t is a good
rule of reasoning, as applicable in pol
itics as in natural science, that "WheTe
apparent causes will account for effects,
it is superfuous to waste efforts in
seeking for Others" There is no doubt
that the impression produced on the
Southern mind by several successive
measures, the most notable Of which
! is the CiVil-Rights ill,-that the Re
| publican party meant to impose on the
South social equality with the negro
| lost us the native white vote, and &C
counts for the 'col0r-line." We believe
that in the light of late events most OF
the Southern people are satisfied that
| this was a delusion, but at the time the
white vote was lost it was very gener-
| ally credited and gave to many the
deepest s0licitude.
There are certain results of the war
which I apprehend may be regarded as
conclusively settled-that the Union il
preserved, that no new secession viii
be attempted BY this generation Of
men, that the freedom of the negro is
permanently assured and his right tC
| the ballot recognized, the free exer
else of which and of his other imp0r
tant civil rights will with time be
secured. The Southern people, [ am
convinced, are too much occupied al
| present in making a livelihood and re.
cuperating their fortunes to plot evil
| designs against the Republic. I be-
lieve, too, that the number is inconsid
cradle, indeed, of those who cherish
| desires or designs inconsistent with
their professions of fidelity to the Ma
tional Government. Still more, it ap-
pears to me that the admirable conduct
of the Southern leaders in the action
which finally secured the peaceful in
auguration of President Hayes, at a
time when it had been easy for them
to involve us in a new trouble, the
magnitude and issues of which none
could determine in advance. as well as
their attitude during the recent
''strikes," ought to assure us Of the
frank and loyal acceptance of the sit
uation by the Southern people, and to
dismiss forever from our minds the
ungenerous suspicion and apprehen-
sion Of their disloyal purpose.
THE SOUTHERN DEMOCRACY
seems to me even in it's solidity much
less fearful thing than our friends APP
prehend. Tt is controlled by men whose
interests, reputation, character,-n0W
that the responsibility Of the Southern
situation lies with themselves must
forbid any conduct calculated to re-
new scenes of violence and disorder.
1t is also less compactly united as an
organization, in principle or spirit, than
is generally thought in the North, be-
ing, in fact, the union Of different ele-
ments in opposition to certain supp0s-
ed intentions of the Republican party,
in which they are mistaken, and the
cohesive influences Of which will cease
to operate as soon as the mistake is
clearly made known to them, and sec
tional issues shall have ceased to be
discussed.
AS to the Interior purpose Of prose
cutting demands for compensation for
slaves, Confederate debts, cotton claims,
and subsidies, it is difficult to pro-
nounce in advance what these gentle
men might wish to do were Democrats
successful in securing the two Houses
Of Congress by a large majority. But
there are several contingencies that,
were this their purpose, might allay
our fears. First, they are not likely to-
have this majority under the present
Administration. Second, the Northern
and Southern Democrats have different
interests on these subjects. And last
ly, the Southern people would be much
divided among themselves in regard to-
4bnno now +ha4 ~ rot of tho claims have