The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-19
THE SOLID SOUTHLAND How9


dence is such that no unprejudiced man can
longer doubt There is no longer question
concerning the supremacy of the white man
in the South. His dctum is as final and ire
vocable as it was during the days of slavery.
There is no appeal What the ballot has
failed to secure, the shotgun
has captured. Occasion for vio-
lence against black and white Republicans
has not been wanting because occasion has
been made. Peace and order have been vio-
lated in every instance where by right there
was clear Republican majority, That such
aggression has always come from Democratic
sources and in the interest of the Democratic
party is sustained by the results. Legitimate
Republican majorties have been
wiped out and the control of affairs
given to the riotous minority.
What incentive could there be for the
Republican party, when dominant, to pro-
woke violence? On the other hand, there
was every reason for the belligerent minori-
ty TO incite rioting in order to terrorize the
recently-enfranchised negro. The reign of
terror endured for years by the colored race
was a horrible reality The brutality of
slave drivers, strengthened and developed
| by being backed by law, had not been in
vain in bending the wills of those in help
less slavery 1t is no marvel that their
spirits were BUNDLED when even their
their owners. Nor is it strange that the col
ored men of the South should dread collision
with their late masters. The precedent of
generations was against them in every in
stance, and any temporary advantage now is
enough to develop the fear of return to
slavery. At best, the colored voter has rea-
son to fear that he will stand no chance be-
fore the law when opposed by ex-slave-hold-
ers. For this reason it is absurd to charge
that ne will seek opportunity to break the
peace.
Evidence is not wanting to prove circum
stantially that the Danville riot was con-
cocted measure to insure Democratic success
against impending defeat. Prepared circu-
lars are in existence showing the manner in
which the argument of the Danville riot was
used in advanc of its occurrence A race
conflict was confidently predicted, and when
| it came the colored man suffered the conse-
| Quences. 1t is unreasonable to ask anybody
to believe that the party organizing an ag-
| gressve fight should be the only one to suffer.
1t is contrary to all precedent, and
does not accord with common sense. The
colored Republicans of Danvlle were am
pushed and slaughtered on account of their
politics. Nor did the effects end in the death
of few colored voters. The threats there
uttered and the tragedy there enacted infu-
enccd the whole State. The presence of
throughout the State was not in vain, and
thousands of legal voters staid away from
the polls rather than risk their lives by at
tempting to vote; and the result of the cleo
ton was in favor of an armed and murder
Gus minority.
In Mississippi the same plan OF murder
was tried, though the necessity of such des-
perate measures was not so urgent. At
Hazelhurst, in that State, an armed mob mott
fled J. 2. Matthews, Republican mail car
rier, not to vote, on penalty of death. The
mob was headed by the chairman of the
Democratic executive committee. In def
ance of the threat Mr. Matthews went to the
polls and put in ballot. AS he turned to
make way for Others he was deliber-
ately assassnated. The testimony
is conclusive, and shows even
more plainly than the Danville massa-
ere that the white Democrats Of the South
will not tolerate a free ballot. The South is
solid everywhere; solid against political free
dom and free ballot Instead of securing
the colored mans cooperation by argument
they prefer to kill his influence by threaten
ing to kill him. The record is red with the
blood of unoffending men, and the outrages
still continue There will be no end
so long as the Democratic party is
encouraged by the hope of success. The
solid South is the foundation upon which
INC DeihOCiaIi0 par W JULIUS us hoPe Vi dI-
tanning national control. Without solid
South it can never triumph In this desper-
ate strait the party has made choice of vio-
lence in order to retain its grip. 1t has de-
liberately strangled suffrage in the South
and is almost bold enough to admit its
deeds in that section. A success like that of
last wear would have made them tear away
the thin mask that now covers their
methods and motives. The murders at
Danville would hardly have been committed
had the instgators of that outrage seen the