National Republican., 1883-03-17
The Presidents southern Policy.

We repeat with emphasis that President
Arthur has given the whole weight of the
administration in support of the Virginia
coalition" We add that President Arthur has
also given the whole weight of the administra-
ton in support of the coalition in North Caro-
lima. More than this, it is pleasure to be able
to say as We do that the President warmly and
unreservedly approves the plan for the restor-
alton of the south which The NATIONAL RE-
PUBLICAN has consistently and persistently
advocated for more than two years.
And first as to the plan proposed. 1t is
that in each southern state native white cit
liens Of democratic and confederate anteced-
ents, who make new political departure,
Enthusiastically involving separation from the
upholders of the old bourbon regime which
persists in calling itself the democratic party,
and embracing genuine acceptance of the
constitution as it has been amended, and the
laws it clearly authorizes, ought to have the
hearty cooperation of the republicans of the
state, and that the alliance so formed ought
to present united front to tho enemy, and
have the encouragement and support of the
policy had triumphed in Virginia, despite the
opposition of the administration Immediately
preceding the one which commenced on the
fourth of March, 1881. THE NATIONAL RE-
PUBLICAN was first to sec before that date
that Virginia could be anti-bourbon, if not in
party sense republican. 1t found the Ma
hone party us faithful to the constitution
and the laws, rs just to the citizen, as
determined ON having fair elections, as
on the tariff question, and as widely separated
from the dead past to which the bourbon dc,
mocracy was still clinging as were the repub
licans of New York or Illinois. 1t therefore
advocated coalition.
The Virginia republicans were nearly unani
nous for this, despite the opposition of few
local leaders. The republican state convcn
tion declared for coalition while Gen. Gar
field was still president, and the few dissen
tents who then and since have kept up 9
little faction which they call "straight
republican" have exercised no influence
whatever upon the politics of the state
The election of Gov. Cameron by 1900
majority and of legislature whicl
passed the Riddleborger bill and sent its au
thor to the senate was Il sufficient vindcatiol
Of the wisdom of this initiatory step in tn,
"southern movement" to which was givol
"the whole weight of the administration.
In 1852 the same policy was continued il
Virginia, and was also extended to Nortl
Carolina. The result was n majority last ial
of G,OOO in Virginia, with six Of the ten con
gressmen, and in North Carolina, with severa
thousand republicans holding back, the bour
bons claimed the state by only 3i3!
Such is the southern policy of the Presi
dent. 1t is not mere partisan policy; on tn
contrary, it is a broad and patriotic one l
! looks only to securing respect for the law
which the President is sworn to see faithful
executed, and to the substitution of mill
means for external force or organized an
archy. 1t is antagonized only by bourbon
who hate national relations and authority
and by few men engaged in merely per
sonal politics who fear that restoration c
the union might put them out of a job.
As to tho manner in which Presideu
Arthur has given the whole weight of tn
administration in support of his souther
policy, the Washington bourbon organ
yesterday was guilty of gross misrepresenti
tion. There has been no official meddlin
in state politics by a President of the Unite
States" nor has there been any word in Til
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN which could be rea
onably construed into conveying such an ide
There is not word of truth in all the organ
rehash of the stale and exploded campaig
ISLANDERS against Malone. There was no a
recommended by him or done by Il
administration which in any degr,
] sustains the railing accusation, born