American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1881-04-23
The New Raid Upon the South.

just now Ino hepuOllCdQS are Trying
to engineer new raid upon the South.
During the late campaign they con-
stantly assailed that section of the coun-
try on the ground of its consistent and
steady adherence as a whole to the
which the people voted as they pleased
was Democratic. And the Republican
papers and orators rung all possible
changes on the "Solid South" and
tired their utmost, by appeals to North
ern fears and prejudices, to make the
sectional issue. predominant. They
built their hope of success upon solid
North. Yet for years they have labored
with unceasing assiduity to gain con-
troll of the Southern States, first by CO.
ercion under johnson and Grant, and
lastly by corruption through Hayes.
Their first scheme proved a disastrous
failure; for after years of carpet-bag
rule, in which the Southern States were
robbed and overwhelmed with debt and
completely paralyzed, they hated the
Republican party worse than ever. The
second method produced nothing but
disgust. When the result of the cleo
ton in 1876 hung in the balance the
Republicans began to hold out tempt
ing inducements, to the South to rally
to the support of Hayes. for he and the
Republicans would assure their State
rights, and give them all the money
they wanted for internal improvements.
If the Southern people did not spurn
the tempting offer, to their credit be it
said they took no stock in Hayes, and
are true as steel in their allegiance to
Democratic principles.
The new scheme of the Republican
managers is to divide the white people
of the South on questions which will APP
peal directly to their local interests and
pride The speech of Senator Hoar
over MahOne'S accession indicated the
settled purpose of the Republican man
agers:i In Virginia the Republicans
threwstheir influence to a considerable
extent into the scale of the rcpudiators.
In Tennessee they contributed what
they could to the disorganization of the
Democratic party and favored the repu-
diatiQnS faction. !, In Arkansas. they re-.
sorted TO the same; mischievous policy
InSG eorgia. they <led with the Green
back people and did not run separate
ticket of their~own. In Louisiana they
build their hope of future success ON
dividing the Democrats. And now the
conservative white people
of the South, who believe in Democratic
WIN tustI Iild t0l,
hgent and property holding citizens
and, If prot ected. would promote the
welfare of all the people, who hold that
the public credit and honor should be
scrupu!ously3 maintained, are. assailed
with utmost .yirulence as "Bourbons. "
Why the name is chosen it is hard to
see. 1t has no pertinency to |, ir case
whatever 1t is intended as n Stigma
to . create prejudice. 1t is spe-
cies of partisan abuse. But their
object is so transparent that it
ought to fail. and, doubtless.
viii fall Still an utterly INSCRIPTIONS 4
party, with all the resources OF the Fed
eral Government at its disposal. can do
q vast deal to demoralize the public
sentiment of a section, and we shall be
indeed, if the Republican man
ayers do not make more or less trouble
in the Southern States. The conserva-
tive white people must prepare to meet
the new enemy on new ground. Most
of the old political issues are dead.
Let them be buried. Accept the new
situation. 1t is for the interest of every
Southern State now TO do its utmost to
increase the wealth and comfort of all
classes of people; to develop and en-
courage new industries; to insure the
means of primary education to all child
rem; to preserve order and maintain
equal laws everywhere; and above all,
to invite immigration from the North
and abroad. The Democratic party of
the South should make itself the pro-
gressive party by advocating every
measure calculated to increase the
wealth and improve the condition of
The people, and make their section more
attractive, free, and happy |
than ever. And if this work is effectu- |
ally done Republican miscIeants will
have no success in, their efforts at driv-
ing a wedge into the heart of the DEM !,
ocratic party of the South.-M Y.