Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-08-17
The South and Democracy

claim that the people OF
the South are done with the principles
Of Democracy. and is clinched with
most deliberately false Interpretation of
the attitude of the Southern people to
the administration. The writer proceeds
in the same airy way TO say that the
South is yearning for new party, and
he cOmmends to its favorable notice the
great Republican party, which, he
can satisfy the longings
of every good and patriotic
citizen. He further furnishes the graft
flying information that the Republican
party is ready with arms wide open TO
receive the ''errlng brethren and to
call the past square. He likewise in.
dulges in some clever twaddle as to the
independence of the Republican party,
which, he informs US, is now self ruled.
The declaration that the South is in
fatuated with Republicanism is so pre-
pOsterous that it hardly merits notice.
Our contemporary admits that the pros
poets for a new party are far from bril-
liant, and cOunsels a course on the part
of the South that would make the coun-
try practically unanimously Republican.
Such q state OF affairs would be reali
zation of Utopia that might well satisfy
the ARREST dreamers. Such a condi
ton of things, under a government
presumably of the people, by the peo-
pie. for the people. is a priOri incon-
ceivable. Even in the North during the
four years, when, according to orthodox
belief, the republic and liberty were in
sorest peril, there was dauntless minor
ity that all the oratory, all the prOscrip-
ton and all the tyranny of the majority
could not silence or convert.
Abandonment of Democracy on the
part of q considerable section of the
Southern people would be a carte I
blanche tothe~ er u5ncan party TO sap
me foundations of the government,
against which it has directed its assaults
from its very inception. Why is the
South Democratic2 Certainly a large
portion of its people are Democrats from
principle. The residue are such from
necessity. Make these last as numerous
as you please. there is no reason why
they should forsake Democracy
for Republicanism. However such
might have admired the pur-
poses of the old Wing party, or
however willingly they might support
new party with similar aims, they can
not forget the revolutionary and spOlia-
ting record of Republicanism- There is
not a man in the South. who is proof
against the bride of an Office, that could
forget that the Radical party commits
stoned, fostered and defended the vile
tyrants and licensed rObber, that torment
ed and plundered his people. The yoke
Of degradation was thrown off, not by
the aid Of the big hearted Republican
leaders, but by the help of the honest
yeomanry of the North. who fell off from
Rsdicalism and took their. stand with
the National Democracy.
What has Radicalism ever done
that it should command the support of
any of the people but those of New
England. whom it has supported with
poor laws in the shape of tariff, and the
lords of capital, whose interests it has
ever specially consulted? What has it
done for the deluded people of the West,
except TO grant millions of acres Of the
public lands to railroads. What has it
done for the South in the way of benefit
Our greatest boom, self government, we
gained in spite of it, and we retain it
against the avOwed wishes Of its repre-
sentative men. There is and can be n
sympathy between the South and the
Republican party. To-day that party is
aiding and abetting an insidiOus assault
upon the fair fame aud social life of Vir
gina, which, if II prove successful, will
be repeated in every Southern State
where opportunity is offered.
Our people want no sympathy from
the Republican party. They are
able to take care of themselves
The tender of goodwill and in
terest comes tardily. The time
for such was after Appomattox. The
Radical leaders chose to set back the
hands on the dial. We will work out our
own future. We csn and will protect our
selves. Ifpeople from the North choose
10 cast their lot with us and invest their
capital among US, they will be heartily
received. We are not so silly though as
to suppose that the syndicatea and other
capitalists put their money here from
pure philanthropy.
There is no such Liberal South" as
the Northern press essays TO picture
There is a new and liberal South that
has stood st the grave of slavery and
whispered "rest in peace!' that bows to
the Constitution and the laws. IS it ever
bowed, that yearns for a union in spirit
SIS we'll as IN letter, that wishes
the widest possible freedom Of
thought and criticism, and recognizes
the equal interest of every man in
good government. That South plants
herself on the broad bedrock of Democ
rscy-Liberty, Security and Economy.
She believes in these principles, in their
widest applications. She cherishes them
as her heritage. sealed with the blood Of
her bravest, and handed down by
the long line of her gifted sons
Under a succession of administrations
committed TO those principles. covering
sixty years Of orr history. she prospered
so wondrously as to awaken the envy Of
those who wrought her downfall. De
mOeracy was potent to exalt her, it has
served TO raise her from the depths 10
which tyranny consigned her, snd by its
aid she viii climb TO greater heights.
The Republicans Of Mississippi are ar