National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-10-13
The South and the Administration.

When President Arthur nominutcs his
Cabinet II will be composed of men of
his own choice, and not of any who are
forced upon him by the opportunities of
others. But while he is considering the
natter IL will do no harm if there shall
be public discussion of some elements
which many regard as worthy of consd-
Grafton. Among these is the political fti-
lure of the South. There are not enough
electoral votes at the North upon which
the Republican party can rely 20 render
Bourbon restoration in the Nation i'm
possible. Violent disscnsions have ex-
listed, and still do exist, in several States
which are counted Republican, and while
there is great hope that in the main
these may be composed, il would he
unwise to stake the future well-being of
the country upon the slender margin by
which General Garfield came into the
Presidency.
The success of the Malone movement
in Virginia is well assured. The victory
which is hoped for there this year must
be treated, if it comes, not rs the end
but only as a favorable beginning. The
coalition will be subjected to the strain
which always awaits the accession to
power of a party composed of men of
differing political antecedents. The
other Southern States will look on, and
some will follow next year if the result
in Virginia shall prove that Liberal Re-
publicans and Liberal Democrats can in
deed be genuinely united for high politi-
cal AIMS
In the relations of the Southern States
and people to the Administration at
Washington the national cause can be
greatly promoted if in the Presidents
councils there can be u man Of broad
views, high personal character, and
sound judgment. If ex-confederates
who are ready to get out of old party ruts
and move on with the age could have a
friend in the Government through whom
their sincerity could be made known
his influence would be great in the South.
He need not have been himself con-
federate; indeed, we incline to the opin-
ion that a native Southerner who was
VA thS VIM HpW III
full accord with the idea of uniting all
opposition TO Bourbonism, might be more
useful to the South than any other sim
ply because he would have more influence
with the Republicans of the North. This
influence would be needed to satisfy the
Northern people that liberal movements
in the South, which must be under the
lead of progressive ex-confederatcs, are
worthy Of confidence and encouragement.
1t will be fortunate if the great import
ance Of the future of the South shall de-
termine the President TO call to his Cabi-
net resident and native of that portion
of the country. In the foregoing
we have assumed the Importance
of overthrowing the political power
of the Bourbons at the South. We are
far from regarding the management o
party affairs as the main bust ness of the
Administration, but as the future peace
and welfare of the Nation depends largely
on the freedom of the ballot box, the
maintenance of law, and the preservation
of order, the road to these results lies in
the direction Of unity against the Bour
bons, all who are weary of their bigotry
their provincialIgm, and their bad politi
cal methods.