The Republican journal., 1880-11-18
The Southern Situation,

seems likely to put an end to sectionalism
in our politics for some time to come; and
this we believe to be for the best interest
of the country; and, further that it will
be welcomed alike by the North and the
South. The success of the Democratic
ticket would have brought about differ
ent result. 1t would have solidified the
solid South, which already shows signs of
disintegrating, while Southern ascendancv
would have aroused feelings in this sec
ton which now will be allowed to slum-
Der. The more progressive Southern
journals admit that they had nothing to
expect from Hancock which they may
not receive from Garfield; and that they
are thoroughly disguised with the Demo
cratic leaders is very evident. The South
has certainly been treated very cavalerly
10y the party managers. 1t has had no
voice in the nominating conventions
while its lbs electoral votes have been
thrust as a menace in the face of the
North. When, as in the last campaign,
the dcstinies of the South were controlled
by man who could not carry his own
State, and who relied upon bribery, for
gerry and perjury to advance his cause.
the situation became Illuminating, and is
undoubtedly 50 regarded by many of the
Southern people
But aside from amy question ofmorallty,
and looking at the matter purely in a
practical light, what has the South to
gain 10y remaining the beast of burden
of the Northern Democracy That the
Democratic party as now constituted will
ever win a national victory is the most
improbable of events. Should it do 50, 4
few petty offices would be the South's
share of the spoils. The Democratic
party Of to- day is a soft money, free trade
party. The South is neither for soft
money nor free trade. On these ques
lions it IS fully in accord with the Rcpub
lean party. And it is to the latter party
the South must look for the carrying into
execution of internal improvement pro
jects which will materially advance its
prosperity. BY tradition and policy the
Democratic party is opposed to extend
ING national aid to improve the hdrbors
and water routes Of the country. The
Republican party has pursued an oppo-
site policy in the past, and the platform
adopted at Chicago says 1--WE esteem
it the duty of Congress to improve our
Watcr-courscs and harbors, but insist that
further subsidies TO private persons or
corporations must close" The South
must look to a Republican President and
a Republican Congress for the rebuilding
Of the Mississippi leyecs, the removal Of
the distractions at Muscle Shoals, toopcu
water communication from the Icnnes-
see river to the Cult. Via the Alabama
river, for the deepening OF Mobile bay,
and the extending Of other facilities to
commerce, the benefits 1T which the
whole country will share, The Demo-
cratic policy Of free trade would DO ruin
ous II the sugar planters of Louisiana.
and - the recently established, and now
highly profitable, cotton factories IN south
Carolina and Georgia. In fact, there is
every reason why the South should, and
no reason why il should not, dissolve part
nersh;p with the Northern Democracy.
TO whom it has been blindly subserviemt
for the past fifteen years
Southern disal1ection, which began with
the nomination Of Greeley at Baltimore in
lr72, received d frcst impetus during Til
den's cypher campaign, and has now ap-
parcntly reached the eliminating point.
The clean and conservative adminiStra-
ton Of President Hayes has done much
to bring about this state Of feeling. In
common with the rest of the country the
South has prospered greatly during the
past two years. Il has control of its
state and municipal governments, has en-
ioycd all the rights and privileges Of
american citizenship and certainly has
no cause for complaint and has made
none against the present administra-
ton 1t is not surprising therefore that
the South should be quite reconciIed to
the election Of Gen. Garfield, and from
present indications, before the close Of
his administration the South will cease to
be the solid South