The comet., 1880-10-02
THE SOLID SOUTH.

We make the following extract from
a speech delivered by Hon. Thos. f
Bayard, at the Democratic Mass Meet
ing in New York City, on the night OF
september 23d. We regret that want
of space prevents us from publishing
the entire speech, which is full of pa
triotlsm and logical facts:
X x
They raise the cry of the solid South,
and declare it must be antagonized by
solid North. But if the South be
solid, for those things the North needs
and desires, then all reason for antago-
nism is gone, and the solidity of both
sections for the same end and purpose
is surely demanded.
What does the South, as section,
seek to do which the North should
fear? Does the execution of any
scheme of government or policy now
proposed by the Southern people, or
by the political party which controls
them, forbode disaster to the citizens
of the North or to the Government of
the United States? If it does, then ]
am opposed to it and them, and will
vote and act in opposition.
If believed the success of the Dem
ocratc party imperilled National
honor or interest, or involved injus-
tice TO any member of the Union,
then | should cease to be a Democrat.
But convinced as | am that the unity
of our people is essential to our strength
and safety, and that justice and good
will among our people are the true cor
ner-stones in the temple of our liberty,
| propose to lay the foundations broad
and wide and deep in the hearts of
our cOuntrymen, and to assist no party
organization which is tainted with
sectiOnalism.
Our system of government is based
on voluntary support by the citizen.
From within his breast springs the
fountain of duty and affection which
flows down to join the mighty river OF
popular sentiment and patriotic devo-
ton, which is to fill the land with |
pros sperity and build up its true
strength. The inextinguishablc ha- |
tired of sectional party makes all
this impossible.
The Southern States are solid for
local self-government i'm each State,
uninterferred with by eXtraneOus pow
er, This is what each Northern State
insists upon under the Constitution,
and actually enjoys.
They are solid in asking that the
tasks of government in all its higher
positions shall not be committed TO
the hands of ignorance and weakness,
but to individuals rendered competent
by education, and fitted by natural
qualities to perform the functions.
The North seeks to do this, and votes
down Incompetence and ignorance
whenever it can.
The South is solid in seeking adj
in all that tends to ITS
prosperity, and through Its
in Congress strives to
obtain adequate appropriations ior
light houses on its coasts, pOstOillces
and custom and court houses, for the
transaction of its commerce and Dusi-
ness. All these appropriations are
under Federal control and for Federal
nurposes. And Northern representa-
tiyes are Just as active and eager for
similar AUTHORIZATIONS for their lOcali-
ties The South is solid i'm responding
In friendly treatment and kindly
svmpathy with mutual confidence
and support, and responding to con-
tumely and villification and injustice
Will Indignation aud resentment.
Tbis i but human nature, and they
,voniJ I've less than men if they were
not true TO themselves. When IA man
feels resentment and conceals it, then
beware of him. -. I;
The South is solid for rctrenchment,
reform, economy and good govern
nent. state and Federal, and should