Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-11-20
perverseness the Southern poll.

Whatever perverseness the Southern poll
ticians may be guilty Of, it is necess airy
that they should be deprived of all real
grievances in order to make their un-
reasonableness manifest the more plainly.
Il has been said frequently of late,
and especially since the Presidential elec-
ton, that the South had been solid for the
last time 1t must, however, be evident
that for the South to break up or change
its political alliances something more is
required than the disposition to do SO upon
its part. 1t is, in fact, quite conceiv-
able that it might be prevented from
seeking such change by the course of
the Republican party, The latter Ger.
tainly cannot hope for or expect any such
change unless it opens the door itself, and
this involves the abandonment of some
methods which have been employed for
years. The adoption of such policy as
the Times outlines would unquestionably
afford the opportunity said to be desired
by considerable Southern element. 1t
would at least divest the Southern ques-
ton of all ground for complaint against
the Republican party. The people gen.
orally desire reconciliation and peace
They are clearly resolved that the equality
OF the law shall be maintained in all parts
of the country, however, and therefore the
South must make up its mind to abandon
Mexican political methods as a preliminary
to any reform. The ballot must be free, not
in name only, but in fact. The colored
vote must be relieved from all pressure.
All forms of intimidation must be dropped.
That done there is no reason why the
Southern States should not reorganize
their political relations. They have moth
ing farther to hope for from the Demo.
cratic party. Their alliance with that
organization has brought them continued
defeat. If then it be true, as alleged, that
they are ripe for change, it is probable
that the new Administration will test their
disposition. We admit frankly that we
are by no means confident as to the reality
of the alleged change of Southern senti-
ment. We cannot forget so quickly the
exhibitions of Bourbonism which were
given in many parts of the South during
the last campaign, or the appearance of
genuineness which those manifestations
BORE The South has cherished certain
dangerous heresies ever since the war,
and month ago it certainly had
not abandoned them. Is it conceivable
that the results of the election have
arguments of the preceding fifteen years
We shall be glad enough to find that there
is no cause for misgiving in this respect,
but seeing that fixed ideas are not easily
or quickly eradicated, We think it the part
of prudence to await the test of actual ex-
pertinent before accepting the theory that
a change of heart has occurred to the South
ern people, and that they are anxious to
put away their political solidity. When
General Garfield has been in Office year
it will be possible to form a more intelli-
gent Judgment CT the situation than at
present, but of course considerations of
this kind do not affect the duty OF the new
Administration, which is plainly, as the
Times says, to do exact and equal justice
to all concerned.