Morning journal and courier., 1880-08-07
THE CAMPAIGN IN THE SOUTH

The discussion at the Republican confer ence in New York revealed decided differ ence of opinion, even among the delegates from the South, as to the expediency of giv- ing the Republicans of that section help in ! the coming fight Nevertheless, the follow ing resolution was adopted:
 Resolved That it is expedient that as &C., tive campaign as possible be carried on by the Republican party in the South as well as in the North and that the Republican Ma tional Committee are hereby requested to re- spond to such calls from Republicans for sistance and encouragement by speaking in Southern States and Southern districts as in their judgment may seem wise and proper. This, as will readily be perceived, can be made to mean much or little. We hope it will mean much, and there are the best of reasons why it should. As was shown at the conference, the prospect that Florida and West Virginia can be placed in the Republi- can column by well directed work is fair if not good Virginia and North Carolina are also fighting ground But even if the South is to retain it's solidity this fall it should not be neglected by the Republican National Committee. As the New York Times says ssThere are reasons for carrying the national canvass into those States besides the chance of electoral votes in November. The people need enlightenment and the stimulus that comes from a discussion of national issues. Freedom of discussion should be vindieated in every State of the Union. Southern Dem ocrats, no matter how hateful their record or their political ideas, may canvass the North from side to side of the continent and win all the converts they can. Republicans should claim the same privilege in the South. It may, as was said, be accorded to those who come from the North and yet have no effect on the election. But it will have effect, nev- ertheless, and contribute to that political re- generation of the South which it needs more for it's own sake than for the sake of the rest of the country" The principles and record of the Republican party are all in harmony with such missionary work.
 If the national committee does conclude to try to do the South good a suggestion of young Republican who has travelled in the South good deal and come in contact with southern men and southern interests seems worthy of attention. He says that the man. ner in which the eyes of southern men of business are opening is very marked. They. are realizing what the South most needs to- day and what it must haye,-money and bus mess They see that at the North the wealth is largely with the Republican party, that northern Republicans determined not to lose it, and that whatever legislation has been secured for business improvement and pros perity, and for the stability of the national finances has been secured by that party. In the South as well as at the North the busi- ness argument is having substantial effect and what this young Republican suggests is that the national committee send down into the South 150 active representative business men of the best class, to meet southern busi- ness men, representing the more enterprising and far-sighted southerners, to demonstrate, not on the stump, but in freer and closer conferences, by figures, what has already been accomplished and what can be accom- plished what will be lost by disturbing the existing state of things; and where business men at the North stand. Let the politicians go down and make the stump speeches if they desire and if it is desired, he says, but the best and more lasting work will be done by those who fling aside politics and issues and reason with the more sordid and selfish, but more convincing argument of business It strikes us that there is a good deal to this suggestion.