Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1881-05-04

There is in tho existence of the soiC
South and its presence hero no sucl
menance TO any interest in this coun
try as can justify or excuse the coali
tion which is here proposed.
There was time in the history o
this country when "the solid South,
that is, "solid" as it is now organized
was not present in the councils Of thi'
Nation when the men who are here
now were prescribed while reconstruc
tion flourished over them when the
President, the Senate, the Supreme
Court the Federal Judiciary and the
State governments were all in the
hands OF the party represented by the
Senators on the other side Of this
Chamber, and "the solid South" could
impress none Of its influence upon the
action of this Government or any Of
ITS Departments when it was repre-
sented alone by the INSCRIPTIONS and
irresponsible dependents of the Re.
publican party from the South.
Sir, will you have tho picture Of
what this Government was when "the
solid South" was not here? | will
give it to you, although it was pre-.
sented to the Senate on yesterday by
the Senator from South Carolina, [Mr.
Butler. A distinguished Republican
Senator distinguished for his learning,
bis judicial ability, his eloqucnce, his
high scholastic attainments, his dovo.
tion to the Republican party, and his
intense, irreconcilable hostility to "the
solid South" has painted the picture
of the period when this Government
was not burdened with the hated pres
ence of this accursed South.
Ny own public life has been a very brief and
Insignificant one, extending little beyond the du.
ration of single term of Senatorial Office, but in
that brief period have seen Eve Judges Of a
high court Of the United States driven from Office
| by threats Of Impeachment for corruption or NAL
administration.
Since "the solid South" has been
here, can you point me to five Judges
Of the Federal courts that have been
driven from their high places upon
charges of corruption and maladminis,
trationy
have heard the taunt, from frsndlcss lips,
that when the United States presented herself
in the East to take part 10 the civilized world in
tho arts Of life the only product OF her institutions
in which she surpassed all others beyond question.
No question about that, the single
thing in which our Government
Surpassed all others beyond question
AT that time when "the solid South"
was not here, was in
| will read further:
When the greatest railroad Of the world, bind
ing together the continent and uniting the two
great seas which wash the shores, was finished,
have seen our national triumph and exultatiOn
turned to bitterness and shame by the unanimous
reports of three committees Of Congress--two Of
the House and one here-that every step Of that !
mighty enterprise had been taken in fraud.
"The solid South" was not here
when that shame fell upon the Nation
aud it seems TO me sir, that when men
with this record fresh in their memo.
ries clamor about the dangers and |
vices Of "the solid South" their cheeks
would mantle with shame.
have heard in the highest places the shame |
less doctrine avowed by men grown old in public |
office that the true way by which power should be |
gained In tho Republic Va to bribe tho people with
tho Offices created for their Service aud the true
end for which II should be used when gained is |
the promotion Of selfish ambition and the gratih- |
cation Of personal revenge.
Sir, that taunt touches no man on
this side Of the Chamber.
\ Iii. a. f..N
steps Of the trusted oompanisns Of the President.
One thing is certain, sir, and that
since the solid South has been here no |
such corruption has reveled in the |
high places of this Government. | do
not say that it was her influence which |
has eliminated it, but l do say that
contemporaneously and simultaneously |
with her presence it took its flight
and claim that she has been no OBJ.
staclo to the administration OF your
public affairs.
A noted lobbyist is reported to have
remarked that "since these Internal
Dcmocraots had gotten here to wash.
ington the lobbying business had dried
up" Said he, "In the namc of God,
do you expect gentlemen of the lobby |
to live on oxygen 7"
Mr. President, so much has been
said about "the solid South" and so
much against it as a justification Of
these extraordinary combinations and
affiliations, that propose to 90 little
further into the subject. 1t is charged
that by "the solid South allying itself
with the party that constitutes the
minority at tho North, it seeks to get
possession and control of the Govern
ment, and to WELD its power for its
own selfish purposes. Sir, if the North
ern people cannot see for themselves
the fallacy OF this view and the unro.
ality OF the danger alleged, no argu.
ment that Southern man can advance
will avail anything. 1t is easy to see
that if the North choose to weld this
Government through the instrument.
ality OF either political party it can do
so and hold "the solid South" in an
impotent minority--a minority as i'm.
potent in the Democratic party as it is
in the Government at this time.
The idea that the South under any
combination Of parties will ever again
obtain control of this Government and
direct its power independently Of the
will of the North is Of all ideas the
most absurd and chimerical The
North is the majority and the dormant
section of this country. The vast pre-.
of her population and re.
sources will tor an infinite period con. 1
troll tho National policy, whatever
party may bo in the ascendant. II the {
majority of the thoughtful people of !
that section deem n change in the Ma. I
Lional administration necessary, they I
,an make it without any relative +
,hange in Southern power or influence. |
Six Northern States alone have j
greater electoral vote than all the solid c
south, and all these States save ono I
rave given Democratic majorities NJ +
lfierent times within the last fow I
years. Should these States for tho 9
limo being choose to take up the reins I
If the Democracy, all the South united !
'ould not impress its distinctive policy,
fit had one, upon a Democratic caucus. /
But, Mr.. President, it IS not true Q
hat there is, as q distinct organiza. )
ion with distinctive policy, any 4
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