The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1881-12-08
For the FARMER AND MECHANIC,
Some Results of the War to the
South, and the Present
Outlook
BY c. W. B., OF FAYETTEVILLE.
CoAttnuat0n.)

BY c. W. B., OF FAYETTEVILLE
CohttnudtjOn.)
SUFFRAGE.
Let Us see what results have followed
universal suffrage to the South. The
right to vote, lately discovered to be
the right preservatlve of all rights, was
highly priced by the recently entran-
chlsed, and proudly exercised on all
occasions. Register the number of color
ed voters IN any precinct, and the count
always footed Up the same nlmber .
votes, aud with rare exceptions the ba
lots We're identical The party leader,
OF the blacl race, oft times unscrupu.
lous whites, could count u ,5es, issue
their orders and foretell with accurac
the returns OF every election. Notwith
standing the varied experience of six
teen years, such Is even now the case
throughout the South, where the COL
ored vote is large enough to offer sub
stantial rewards to those who desire to
control it. All that tie Office seeker
has to do is to proclaim himself the
strong partisan of the colored mans par
ty, to mint that his freedom or preserva
ton right is in danger, and call Justify
upon him for help. The cry Is never
unheedei, 10 matter what the capacity
or character may be of him who utters
it. This mass of ignorant voters has
proven fertile field to the demagogue-
of every hue OF political opinion, aud
rich harvests have been gathered there
from As the crops from this field are
not dependent upon the seasons, an
nual, spontaneous and steadily increas
ing, the temptation to put the sickle
into them Is too strong even at present
to be altogether resisted Ii is need
less to say that with such STRINGS, the
pool of politics has rarely given forth
any but i'll odors. Matters have mend
ed somewhat of late years, but univer
sal suffrage which allows ignorance
when clothed In majorities to rule, has
been curse to the Southern States.
One effect IS that good men have gen
orally retired from taking an active
part IN politics from disg ust, and have
left the management In the hands OF
the noisy asplrants for petty Oiilce, who
have assumed to be leaders with more
zeal than discretion. Oue rule which
such fellows have made is that avail
ability, the power to secure votes, aud
MT f ness by character and quailica-
tons is the prime necessity in choosing
candidates for Office In dignity and
hon or, official station has been lowered,
and III the same degree the number Of
persons desiring to fill places has IN
creased. One lgnoramus sent TO the
Legislature, inspires the ambition in
hundred to be sent there too. The
ability to read and wlite even Is not re-
quired for the lowest places. Scarcely
more IS necessary to become a magis-
trate. The average legislator is an ass
The member OF Congress some Ii lie
better, horse we will say, with the
horses proud step produced By high
feeling, but without horse sense. Gov
ernor, are nowadays made cut Of small
liulb,r. Aud even the judges seat is
the reward pt the man OF politics, TO be
striven for In Va worse than ques-
iul abe, lillc 4 coustdbes staff, instead
oi that nigh office 20 be held for lie by
'aNy ers Of integrity, learning, and purl
y. Such law-laEers. swordsnIen,
aud expuunacr~. have caused the law
iiscif 10 bt held IN low rcpute. In tacr
the whole raitcr bears such an air oil
Cheap john cxceiiance, as to excite dis
subject awakenS serious fears. Be
tween this ,.ciihnr mill stone Of igno-
rant voters AZ the south and mark
able ones elsewhere, the Goddess of
Liberty has Teen sorcly bruised Of late.
| drop figures. What security have we
of this Republic for lie, liberty, or
property, under government where
the right pTescrvatlve IS SO abused
Is it not high time to ask the question,
even if the bare asking suggests grave
doubts
POLITICS.
A few lines will suffice for politics
By paths, always steep, oft times hid
den, aud sometimes crooked, the South
has at last secured for herself local self
government; and come what may, her
political destiny Is safe IN the keeping
of her sons. Candor forces the con
lession that the political party to which
she is allied, has made a miserable fail
ure In its management OF power So far
as national affairs are concerned for the
past sixteen years.
CENSUS.
The census of 1850 shows net gains
to the South of some half dozen seats
in the House of Representative upon
present apportionment. This gain she
will be cheated out Of by some Trick OF
figures as the eight to seven game
proved, can easily be done. Bus sue
cessfui juspely can not change tn,
fact, OF destroy tie life of a >Iugie Pc
son named III the census. Tac saaI.
ratio of Increase viii by and by show
figures too large TO be dealt with Dl
Slight Of hand pertormances-which
must be acted upon fairly, or our form
OF government changed. The increase
of nature has swejied the population OF
the Suuth, while our brethren ot the
North, il they will allow Us to clii them
such, have suffered in population by
reason Of divorces and ether unnatural
causes. We offer To these brethren
this reflection. That SO long a the
same causes produce the same effects,
the ratio OF difference must increase III
allthmetlcal proportion. Thus same
census reveals other tactS, which may
be summed up in his: That tie Suuth
Is relatively stronger .O-iay than she
was W htn score oi wears ago size took
uD arms in self defence.
IMMIGRATION.
The writer does lot agree with those