New-York tribune., 1882-03-13
BOURBON DISINTEGRATION.

APPARENTLY IMPENDING.
tFR0M STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRBUSEI
WASHINGTON, March Tt is already apparent
that the line of battle in the Presidential campaign
of 1884 Is to be shifted somewhat from the ground
occupied in 1880. In that campaign the vote of the
Solid South was conceded to the Democratic party,
and. practically the only attempt made by the Re-
publican National organization to dispute any part
of that vast territory was to contest Congress
sional district here and there Bnt the success OF
the Coalition movement IN Virginia has changed
the map of politics If there is anything in political
auguries not only will at least four Southern States
be debatabe ground In 1884, but in more than one
of them the chances Of success wOuld seem TO lilo
with the Republican party The precedent set by
| the followers of General Malone In Virginia has
opened the eyes of Democrats all over the South,
and especially of the new generation who have
grown up since the They see that 1t Is possi-
bic to refuse to be Bourbon Democrat, and yet TO
| live. The spectacle of cx-Confederates who
proved their bravery on the battlefield, and
of members of old and distinguished South
ern families rebellng against BourbOnism, has
done much to destroy the spell that still seems to
reside in the old Democratic name. Such, at least,
| is the Judgment of men here who are from the
| SOuth, familiar with Southern preJudices
and methods, and believe that change has come
over tllat section winch Iuc people VI ullo NOlu w
not yet realize. They declare that there
| are great numbers of Democrats, es-
| pecially young men, who four years ago
would have laughed at the fdca of joining
revolt against the Democratic party, but who arc
| now more than ready for it. There open move
| ments of disaiiected Democrats in six Southern
States besides Virginia-NOrth Carolina, Georgia,
| Kentucky, tennessee, Mississippi and TeXas-and
| to use the expression of Southern Republican
Congressman Virginia is the mother of ii all" 1t
is too early for anyone to predict what the outcome
will he; but these movements have already as
sumed such proportions that one of two results
would seem inevitable-either they will force the
| Bourbon Democracy Of the South upon more lib
eral platform or they will throw the control of
| number of States temporarily at least, into the
hands of the Republican party The effect of such
changes upon Presidential contests cannot of
course be exactly foreseen but il could not fail to
be important.
In no state has this process of Bourbon disinte
grafton assumed a more interesting phase nor per-
haps one more favorable to the Republicans than
in North Carolina North Carolina is naturally
Republican State. This is not so much because of
its large colOred population as from other causes
Six other Southern States-Alabama Florida, Geor
gia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Virginia-have
larger proportion of blacks than North Carolina.
which IN the census of 1850 shows 531 PIT blacks
to s672l2 whites Bnt there has always been n
strong Union and Republican sentiment among the
whtes-sultciently shown by the two facts that the
people voted in 1861 not to call Secession cOnven-
ton, and that now the Democrats hold the State by
only small majority. although in many counties
in what is called the Black Belt, there are not
enough white Republicans of intelligence TO sec that
the blacks are encouraged and protected in the ex-
ercse of their political rights. In 1875 Tdens ma
ioritv over Hayes was II, los; in 1850 Hancocks
pluralit was only 1884, and his majority the
Republican and small Greenback vote combined
was only 7.2OS. 1t need hardly be said that very
small diversion from the Democratic vote would be
sufficient TO make a successful coalition movement,
and wrest the State Government from the hands of
the Bourbon Democracy.
There is good reason to believe that such a cOali
ton will be made this fall There is already
ganization in every county in the State, which is
practically an independent Democratic party, and
both they and the Republicans are understood to be
anxious for cooperation. Various causes have COM
bined TO bring about this situation, some of which
arc curious and interesting. Mr.. Hubbs, who en-
joys the distinction of being the only Republican
Congressman from North Carolina, and is an intei-
gent and creditable representative of Southern Re-
pnbcanism, says that of the chief causes is the
disgust of the rank and file of the Democratic
party with the ring" rule of the BOurbOnS. The
Offices are mOnOpOzcd by the older men Of the
partv to the complete exclusion of the younger and
more progressive element. The rule of the Bourbon
rings has become obnoxious not only in the party
but in the general affairs of government especially
local affairs New York" says Mr.. Hubbs, " was
never moro absolutely governed by rings than
North Carolina is to-day" The system by which
this has been accomplished is ingenious. The
Canby Constitution, called because General
Candy was in command OF the military
district at the time of its adoption, was
amended by O Democratic Convention IN 1875
SO as TO confer upon the Legislature tho
power to appoint all Justices of the peace; the latter
were given power to appoint the County Commits
sioners; the County Commissioners have charge of
all county aflairs-evying taxes, taking bonds of
the comfy officers ETC. %ie Sheriff, Registrar,
Clerk of the Superior Court, and Treasurer. are
elected by the people. but must give bonds before
these Commissioners. The local Democratic ring in
a county send up to their friends in the Legis-
lature the names of persons to be elected
rs justices of the peace. and the justices of the
peace elect the commission as designated by the
same ring; and these commissioners elect regis
trar and four inspectors of election III each election
district TO whom the election returns are made; and
one of their number is elected to carry the returns
TO the county seat; and at the county seat these
messengers meet as a canvasslng board-and so the
circle Of the rings power Is complete. Tho people
of North Carolina have grown restless under this
system of government by rings, and the discomfort
is stronger among tho young men who find them
selves shut out fair share in political honors
than anywhere else.
One important element of discomfort lays in the
fact that so large proportion of the voters of the
present day have grown up since the war,
and that many Of them were even too
Young when the war was In progress
to know what IL was about that there