Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-07-16
From the New York Tribune
Repeating a Fatal Blunder.

lie must be q very dull student of political his
tory who can not read in the progress of events
in Mississippi and the other States of the South
in which the opposition TO democracy is gradually
disappearing, leaving to that party the unobstruct
ed possession of power, eventually disastrous re-
suits TO the organization whose affairs seem TO he
going on so swmmingy. The South was never
SO weak as when it seemed strongest and most
united; the end of Slavery never so and 50
sure as when its defenders and advocates, in the
arrogance Of power, and with the assurance Of
certain success, began to demand, not merely non
interference, but the extension and spread over
new territory Of their peculiar institution. The
North was never unit until the continued en-
oroachments Of United South and the increasing
demands of Southern statesmen forced her into a
position Of defense; nor even then was the North
so thoroughly united as the opposing section, for
the party which carried Solid South divided the
Northern State with an opponent which could
not poll, and was not permitted 10 poll, hundred
votes south OF Mason and DiXons Line. Never
were the prospects OF party iairer for unlnter-
rupted power than when the democracy held all
the South beyond dispute and without opposition,
and made an equal light for asccndency 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
South so solid and united that throughout its
whole extent, IS now in Mississippi. no organized
opposition can be found TO remember what came
Of precisely such q condition of affairs IN 1886,
when the new party to which 1t gave rise first took
shape.
History on such lines as this does repeat itself.
1t is no less sure than that effect follows cause
1t is the absolute certain logic of events. No ell
ement Of chance enters into it, for II is the opera
ton OF natural laws which cannot be overcome or
turned aside. Leaving out OF the question the
consideration of differing climates, productions,
forms Of industry, elements OF growth, material
resources and popular habits and customs, which
might enter into philosophic analysis OF the po-
litlcal problem the relative population of the two
sections is the conclusive factor in sectional con
test which gives to such an issue the certainty OF
Q mathematical demonstration. The political ac
ton which, in Mississippi and other Southern
States, aboshes opposition and sways the whole
voting population with one of the two great par
ties which divide the North, is simply suicidal
madness. 1t has been tried once already, with
the most disastrous results. 1t cannot be under
taken now, or even again hereafter, with any
thing like the chances Tor success II had from 1896
to 1851. For then the South had something like
pretext for its action in the defense of its pecul
lar institution, and the need of union in "A com
mon cause. To-day they are forming purely
sectional party upon purely sectional basis,
with none, not even the himsiest pretense of
pretext. The party they unite against is the
same they fought before, but they were
beaten on the issue; and upon their pretense
of having accepted in good faith the results OF the
war, they have been treated with magnanimity,
and have accepted at the hands Of the yictors IA
vors for which common decency, to say
nothing Of gratitude, should dictate
some other return than sullen and ma
hgant hate. That they have no reasonable ground
a hostility to the party in power, certainly none
such as would justly this solid sectional array
against it, is attested by the fact that they able
TO take such an attitude. The South is deprived
of no right or privilege that any Northern State
enjoys, nor any of her rights in danger Of attack
or meddesome interference. They have their
own sweet willln everything, and no interieres
or offers to. There is no ground whatever for sec
tionalism In politics; nothing to excuse sectional
issue or justify solid South.
Against Solid South there is soon to be Sol
i'd North; not SO perfectly united as the South,
perhapsi that Is not necessary; but sohd enough
and hrm enough to possess the Government. 1t
will be stronger than in 1861; stronger for the
prestige OF past success, the enlarged experience
of added years, increased 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 OF
three Northern States in 1876 will crumble away
the instant such sectional issue is presented as
that which the South seems anxious TO invite.
The maJorlties were given by voters who were
tuated by the desire to have the Southern States
restored absolutely to self-government and placed
beyond Federal interference, and to see all cause
for discomfort removed. They have seen this
done already under the Administration of Presi-
dent Hayes, and are ready to applaud the party
and the policy by which it was effected. Upon
such an issue as the action of Mississippi makes
imminent for 1880, they will fall in line with the
party to which the South opposes solid front
The Democratic management in Mississippi and
elsewhere in the South, when the suppression Of
opposition is carried to the extent OF destroy lug
Rax.p httnaw ,txatf = Al.
than an ordinary bunder. 1t is a wilful and in
excusable repetition of an historic blunder, whose
fatal consequences they have not outlived, but see
on all hands around them.