National Republican., 1880-12-03
HAVE WE AN IRnLANDq-Number 8.


have been learned. We know that there
is difference between state building and
state demolition-betwec state growth
and state decay. We know that some
things tend to up building and growth, and
that other things tend 10 decay and destruc-
lion. We know why Rome could not re-
main mistress of the world. We know
why Turkey, holding the most advanta-
gcous geographical position in the world, is
feeble and only lives because the vulture
nations cannot agree among themselves
upon the division of the spoils when she
experiment is failure, and that the way
things have been going in our southern
states has brought the population there
Into condition which is not prosperous,
whether Mr.. STEPHENS is correct rs 10 the
degree of decline or not. There cannot be
q man with any claims to intelligence who
Is not aware that the south is q long way
behind the other sections of the conniry in
every one Of the elements of prosperity ex-
cept natural resources. Those are the best,
but her people stand listlessly gazing at
them and wondering why the north and
west are tecming with enterprise and life
md wealth aud the south is barren and
poverty y-stricken-why northern railway
train runs forty miles an hour and south
ern only ten miles-why the water of each
northern stream does the work Of the peo-
pie who live on its banks and something
more, and the water of southern streams is
allowed to run to the ocean like WORTH
less tramp. The contrast is great and
striking, but it fails to arouse the right
feeling in the people.
There is no need Of presenting proofs OF
what we say. The facts are known and
the statement of Mr.. STEPHENS is q recog-
milton of them. There is u difference be-
tween tue SECTIONS, aud the obeonoe Of ihs
schoolhouse and the workshop Mt the south
is the dividing line But education in this
case means much more than teaching the
common people to read and write. That
would be only partial remedy. The old
idea that labor is disreputable must be
sradicated. The mudsill throng must be
educated out Of the heads Of the southern
statesmen. The way to all the honors oi
The state must be left open to the laborer
30 that every man may be stimulated to
exertion in an effort to be somcbody-the
highest somebody if lie fairly earns the
position. A free race and high prize &c
every ono who can show himself worthy
must be accorded All this is wanted, and
h., Cd ha 1,I
would save itself from the fate Of Ireland
How to get at it is the question, and il
can be solved. The intelligence, the fore
cast, the energy, the persistence and the
fidelity which in few years built the
states of Kansas and Nebraska into great
noble and self-supporting gcommonwealths,i is
an example to turn the south into garden
if employed TO that end and seconded by n
few leading men at the south We might
begin with q single state. Men like Ma
HONE of Virginia have but to call for rs.
sistance and they will get all that is needed
provided they show themselves imbued
with the right spirit, Which VIC believe
they possess They must understand that
they cannot build up states on the ole
ideas. The old ideas are played out en-
tirely. The departure must be new ant
final. When one state begins 10 breathe
the new breath of life the others will fee
the influence and Immediately follow.
The general government may do some
thing, and will If the south will stop fight
ing the principles that control the govern
ment. 1t can aid by internal improvement
TO q certain extent. 1t can contribute Il
educational measures. II can help keel
order and give protection to life and human
rights. GARFIELD can start the ball. au,
the south and the north uniting can roll j
on aud astonish the world.