Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-09-26
COnciIiatipg the SOutL.


1t is very significant that one of the
objects at present mainly engrosslng the
attention of the two most prominent
candidates for the next Republican Presi-
Dental nomination-Blaine and Arthur
is to make themselves popular in the
South. Mr.. Blaine's recent utterances in
favor of the General Government REIN
bursting Virginia for despoiling her of
that rich portion of her territory now
known as West Virginia during the war
were evidently made public with this
purpose in view. while it is reliably
stated that when Bruce, the colored ex-
Senator from Mississippi, started out on
his tour of electioneering for Chalmers
he was particularly instructed to dwell
at great length upon the earnest desire
of the administration TO see the levee
system on the Mississippi river perfected,
and the South generally fourishing and
blossoming as the rose.
This manifest anxiety to conciliate the
South before the next Presidential cleo
ton is, as we have said, very significant,
and is also very encouraging. 1t
shows that our section is no longer
regarded as a poverty-stricken re-
gion, fit for nothing but to be the
sport of Radicalism and the legitimate
prey of political vultures, yclept carpet
baggers 1t shows that our people are
no longer looked upon by such creatures
as Phil Sheridan as "banditti," but that
we are at length in position to command
the respect of those who have heretofore
been our worst enemies, and become the
object of their tenderest and most friend
ly solicitude. How different this status
of affairs from that of a few years ago.
Then Blaine's great delight was to villify
and abuse our section, while Conkling
and Arthur we're never so happy as when
talking about the poverty stricken
South, which had no rights, political or
otherwise, which they and their ilk felt
| bound to honor.
The secret of this wonderful change
in sentiment on the part of the quondam
malignant Radicals of the North towards
the South is simply that she is on. the
highway to prosperity, and bids fair, in
a few years. to become the wealthiest
section Of the land This iustifes the
advice which we have so frequently
given the Southern people, viz to make
their first object in life the i'm
provement of Their vast natu-
raj advantages, and accumulate
wealth. We told them that while
poor, the South would in their money
worshiping days, always be held in con-
tempt by the North, but that in the en-
ioyment of the wealth which is hers by
nature, she would speedily acquire in
fuence and compel the esteem of the en-
tire country. The anxiety now manifest
ed by Blaine and Arthur to make them
selves popular with our section, proves
that this advice was sober, sound and
good. The South has not yet attained
to 1.-THE Of the wealth and power 10
which size is destined within the next
decade, but she has already advanced
sufficiently in the pathway of material
prosperity to attract the favorable atten.
ton of her former enemies, while her
future promising prospects teach them
that she can no longer proftably be de-
spised.
We can now give Mr.. Arthur some
good advice, which he will find it
equally to his advantage to heed if he
wishes to realize his hopes of popularliz
ing his administration in the South; and
this advice is also well worth Mr..
Blaine's careful consideration. The for
mer may express his anxiety to see the
South rehabilitated and prosperous as
much as he pleases, while Mr.. Blaine may
advocate the assumption by the General
Government of all the debts of the South
ern States If he will; but neither of them
car hope to see Republicanism popular
in the South until radical changes are
made in the policy and principles of the
Republican party. Raising race preju-
dices and insisting on social equality be-
tween whites and blacks must cease; the
doctrine that the responsibility and in
telligence of the South should direct her
affairs must be recognized and. acquiesced
in; representative Southern men must be
entrusted with high and responsible Fed
eral offices, instead of-as has been the
rule heretofore bestowing these offices
only on bitter partisans or Northern Off
Gals imported into our midst for the pur-
pose; more consideration must be shown
the wishes and (perhaps) prejudices of the
Southern people, and disposition to
supplant sectional hate with harmony
and good will between the people of
common country must be manifested.
So long as the Republican party is recog-
nized as party relying for success only
upon hate of the South, and upon 'the
cohesive power of public plumber, SO
long will the task of popularizing Repub-
licanism in this section be hopeless.
Such Republican policy as is herein
outlined, however, will speedily cause
old prejudices to melt away, give
Republicanism in this section a respecta-
bility it has never heretofore enjoyed,
and in course of time make it, if not
popular with, at least not despised by,
the Southern people. If Messrs. Arthur
and Blaine will heed these suggestions
they will find that they will accomplish
wonders in conciliating, and popularizing
themselves with, the South.
"a bloated demagogue" is the elegant
appellation bestowed by Philadelphia
Cameron organ upon Tom Marshal, who