The sun., 1881-11-27
Is the Ghost Laid

A great many Republicans seem to be
highly gratliied at tho joint victory of the
Administration and Gen. MAHoNE in Vir-
ginia. Tho fundamental idea OF MAHoNE's
platform, the reputation OF tho State debt,
was as opposite to the principles that old
Republicans have been brought up on as
falsehood Is to truth; but, said MAHoNE,
What do you care for princplcs2 Give us
your help while VIC settle the debt OF the old
Democratic State OF Virginia and you shall
have our electoral votes for President; and
then there won't be any solid South"
The ensuing election amounted to an OIL
cal notice that there is no longer a solid
South, and that the idea OF freshening up at
each election the old passions OF the civil war
must be finally abandoned. This is very
grave declaration. By helping MALONE to
repudiate the debt OF Virginia, the Republ
cans have renounced an argument which
has heretofore been enough to scatter the
very thought Of reason or OF doubt from
the minds OF faltering partisans. They
have taken away from many an old voter
what at election time has been tho greatest
source OF comfort that could be invented.
When distrust was felt as to the honesty Of
Republican officials or anxiety concerning
ode, it only needed thought OF the war and
the solid South to bring the voter cheer
fully to the polls to cast his ballot for the
party that had always had his sympathes.
In 1876 the cry OF the solid South could not
be made loud enough to save the Republi-
cans from defeat. Mr.. TILpEN did not be-
long to n school OF Democrats that had
ever been favorable to Southern domination: !:
iat skn NNrtt
lest by giving the Executive power to the
Democrats with him at their head, the Gov
ernment might pass under the control OF
Bourbons. But when the campaign Of 1880
began, although tho Republican candidate
had said publicly that the man who tried to
raise again tho old question Of scctionalism
would find himself without a party and
without following. the canvass was weak
and sluggish until ROSCOE CoNKLINd ap-
peared on tho stage aud savo the old enthu-
siasm back to his audience by telling them
that the question before them was ques-
tion Of sectionalism then, as it had been fif-
teen years before. Down under all their
diverse ideas about civil service reform or
monopolies or finance. was their unwavering
hostility to party that included in its sup
port the men OF the South. The tariff
mlS nC serve dS III uui
ing tho campaign: but the great moving
spirit that could impel the hesltating and
soothe the consciences OF men inclined to
look with disapproval at the crimes OF their
party, was the hereditary opposition to the
solid South.
But now we are told that tho solid South
is broken up as q body antagonistic to the
North, and hereafter the different States
will be guided by the different influences
which affect them individually. and be dom
mated no longer by the old irreconcilable
spirit remaining from the rebellion. The
ghost that for years has driven. timid Re-
publicans to the polls in the face Of party
record that made many q man turn and
look around for some means OF escape. has
been publicly exercised and sent back to
the graveyard. But will it stay? For the
next campaign the Republicans must in
woke some great popular passion. or many
eyes will open themselves to behold, even on
the day OF election, the enormous corruption
and perverted ways Of what Is now called
the Republican party. 1t will be welcome
hour when those eyes shall be opened.