The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1877-09-13
The so.th I'm Congress.

The South I'm Congress.
The neat session Of Congress, says
the New Orleans Picayane, will Afford
the Southern members IN unusually To-
'vorable opportunity for a display OF
genuine political ability. Although
they do not compose q majority in ell
ther house, they constitute q controlling
wing Of the Democratic majority in the
lover house, and the Democratic party
can achieve no further victories without
their aid. 1t becomes them, therefore,
to study the genius and tendency Of
that party and govern themselves nc
cordingly. They must understand that
they have not been sent to Congress
merely to ~secure::a Democratic organisa-
ton in the House Of Representatives.
The South expects o share in that or
ganization commensurate with her serv-
ices to the party. The time has gone
by for Southern men to take back seats
and eat humble pic for fear Of exciting
THE sectional jesiousios and prejudice Of
the North. The fact is that we have
extorted more from the Republicans 10y
a vigorous opposition than we have cy-
or secured from the Northern Demo
Gratis by unquestioning submission to
their leadership. Now that we hold the
balance of power we are in a position TO
demand our rights, and our Senators
and Representatives will not deserve
we'll of us If they do not make their
weight felt whenever o question arises
which affects the material interests Of
this section.
But the organization Of the House
must be regarded only asa means to an
end. It is Of no importance to the
South that its leaders may occupy the
chairmanship Of important committees
unless they avail themselves Of the in>
fluence thus acquired for the benefit Of
their constituencies. It is matter OF
notoriety that the South has been
shamofully neglected heretofore in the
matter Of internal improvements. Il
matters not now that such improve
mcnts effected through government aid
have been opposed TO the settled policy
OF the Democratic party in times: past.
| We may admit, for the sake Of argu-
mcnt, that the Democratic policy in
that respect was entirely sound, and
still we may claim with oil fairness that
the opposite policy having been adopt
led for the benefit of the North and
| West should be adhered to until the
lSouth has been proportionately bore
fitted. II wrong has been done, if tho
Constitution has been violated. there is
no other means of ~rcmedying the evil.
1t will not be either consistent or just
for the North, having now moro rail
roads than she needs, built for her 10y
the use Of national money and credit,
and actually suffering as she is from
over>production resulting from the
operation Of On unequal tariff, now sud
idenly to proclaim herself rs opposed,
upon high constitutional grounds. to
such enterprises Us The perfection OF
the Mississippi lovccs and the construc-
ton of the Texas and Pacific Railroad.
The Sonth has borne the brunt Of
the Democratic battles ; but il has not
been for a barren party victory that
the great body Of its voters have sup
ported Seymour, Greeley md Tilden
tie great object since the war has been
restoration to tho Union on a footing OF
perfect equality with other sections.
Peculiar exigencioa have forced the
presont Administration TO conccdc all
that was claimed upon the scorc OF
State rights !; VIC have little to thank the
| Northern Democrats for in this consum-
mation ; but it is in their power to aid
us now, and if they refuse to do so they
should be Taught TINT We understand
our value and our strength.
This autumn some nineteen States
| will hold elections. In many of them
the contest is close and doubtful. The
lSouth only is solid, and while it has the
political sagscity to remain so it will
carry victory to whatcvor side it may os-
pouac. Northern conventions, both
Republican md Democratic, have de>
clared against government subsidies.
land grants, loan of credit in further.
ance of internal improvements. Let the
question be forced upon the Adminis>
~tration whether it hos any reason to OK
pect eountenance and support from this
section unless it returns the favor in
some substantial form, and upon the
democracy whether it has airy right to
hope for the united cooperation OF the
South for the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of North
lern politicians merely,
!