Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-11-21
Senator Blaine and the Southern Cues
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From the New York Times. Noy.li1

tion..
Efrom the New York Times, Noy.u1
In the last Of his many admirable cam
paign speeches. Mr.. Blaine touched. but
su2gestively. the new Southern question,
or, as he might call Ii. the new asp. ct of
the old question. He referred TO the alb
sence OF acrimonious criticism of the ones
ton rs it stood before the action OF the
Hayes Administration or of the issue which
that action at one time seemed likely to
raise as between two sections of the Re
publican party. He pointed TO the DISPOSE
tion everywhere manifested during the Re
publican canvass to ignore forme. causes
OF Irritation, and to conhne discussion to
financial topics. Aud In the refusal of the
South also to Danish sectionalism from its
politics. and to recognize in good faith the
right OF the colored population to the tree
expression OF their preferences. In the can
vass and at the polls, he found the root of
new controversy which will tend once
more to so!idify the North in support ot
demand for the enforcement of equal rights.
As he defines ii, the controversy Will derive
fresh bitterness from the fact that the
south practically annuls the enfrsnchise-
ment OF the freedmen while exercising the
enlarged representative power In Congress
which the eniranchi. ement conferred
Senator correctly expresses the feeling pre-
valent among all classes OF Republicans
since the Southern situation became under
stood. The policy OF silence with regard
to the South which he and other Republic
can leaders hoDorably maintained during
the canvass was to some extent forced
upon them. At the outset their own incli-
patton favored a different course. They
might not have assaied tn. Adminisfra-
ton, but they would have spoken freely of
the effect of the Presidents measures, and
OF the defiant tone even then displayed by
Southern speakers aud writer's. The gen
efal judgment OF the party was against this
method. Leaving the merits of the presi-
dents proceeding to be estimated by each
person for himself, the great body OF the
party had no disposition to revive dispute
which could not produce any immediate
benefit and would certainly create internal
dissension. This view was accepted by
most OF the conventions. The financial
question was given precedence over every
thing, and such references TO the South as
did occur were merely incidental The
North was willing to let bygOucs be by
cones. Ii had not admired the manner in
which what j. known ~ the policy OF CON
Citation originated. but II was sincerely
DESTROYS of sceiLg reconciliation brought
about Promises had been made and 1t
waited patiently tor their fIlillment. Its
response 10 the appeal OF afflicted cities de
rived some OF its characteristics from the
expectation that lingering auimosites
would be buried. and that sympathy In
period Of suffering would teach the south
how ready the North is 10 forget the feuds
that have divided the sections The can
vass was conducted in this temper. with a
hope that the southern people would re-
Duke the violence OF their politicians and
conduct the election satisfactorily.
is the result satisfactory Z" Mr.. Blaine
asks. The Republican Party car answer
in but one way. Its friendly oyertures
have Lot been reciprocated. Il Kept the
old Southern question out OF the canvass,
aud the South has evinced it, appreciation
of the circumstances by conducting a strict
ly sectional canvass. by avowus pretcu-
sions 10 which the North cannot submit.
aud by 80 pursuing lis objects a. to iufIct
cruel wrong upon i've millions Il coiurcd
people. The North wanted to Danish sec
tiouaism from politics, and the South
ayail- itself oil the opportunity 10 assert a
sectional right to rule. and TO show that
the rule ii proposes 10 exercise implies the
destruction of the essential privilege OF
citizenship as possessed by the freemen.
The result ia, then, 10 every respect unsaI-
i-iactory. IL shows that though one phase
of the Southern question has disappeared.
another phase has grown out OF the South
ern management Of the canvass aud the
shameless measures By which Il extin-
gui>hcd the votes OF three.quarters Of a
million OF colored citizens The impossi-
BILE task of reversing the Presidents action
i not thought of. But the South greatly
oyerrates it, power, and misapprehends
the spirit of the North. ii ii imagine that
the condition of things just developed IN
South Carolina. IN Louisiana, Alabama.
and other States will be allowed to coniin-
ue. The outrages by which the South has
, acquitted soliiiis are "n' """"'',--i g." ,h1''
operation To the colored people. They
destroy the political equality which should
exist, a. between North, and South, and
raise an issue which can have only one
end.
SO far, az however, Mr.. Blaine's inquiry
seems 10 cast doubt upon the sagacIty
which dictated Republican policy OF ST.
lence IN the contest now over, We think
that he Is In error. We will not speak OF
the effect which the prominent presentation
of the old Southern question would have
had In dividing the party, and diverting at
teniion from the financial controversy
Mr.. Blaine's noble eifoits in behalf OF Il
sound financial system attest his own estl-
mate oi it, importance, and his desire 10
| concentrate public opinion upon i A. the
dominating topic OF the day. But. apart
from these considerations. IL * clear that,
as a consequence OF II, nuu>cctiouai atti-
tude in the canvass, the Republican party
Is much better prepared 10 graphic with
the difficulties involved In the new aspect
OF the Southern. Had il as sailed the South
while the latter was upon its trial, had il
prejudged the whole case by conducting
the canvass on the hypothesis that the
the attainment OF its obJects-the party
would have incurred the imputation of
precipitancy and uniiirness. Ii would
have been accused of striving to produce
the sectional alienation and irritation
which ii processes To deplore.-The>e ale
cations are not possible now. The party
waited, We will not say hopefully. but
with determination not To Judge IN adj
vance of facts. 1t repressed sectionali>m
in Its own ranks. IL asked nothing from
the South save a just acknowledgement Of
the privileges OF colored voters. Its tone
was moderate, conclliatory, just. These
characteristics add To the moral strength
OF its present position, and will impart
force TO its demand for policy which
shall secure 10 millions OF people ia the
South the equality aud freedom now de-
MED them
State News.