The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-17
GENERAL SIMON CAMERON.
What He Thinks of the Political Situation
The Tariff and the Solid South.

The Iarl1f ana the soma south.
Interview in Philadelphia Press
perhaps il is well we are to have a square
contest upon the tariff question now, if such an
agitation is bOuud to come" he continued. ''The
country is prosperous and it is the one great is
sue upon which parties must divide. 1t has been
a bone of contention between them ever since I
can remember anything of politics. There is a
glow of satisfaction in the present situation. II
is found in the fact that the Democracy have f.
nally had the courage to show their hand and
foreshadow their real purpose This sinplifes
the contest of next year, and gives us q strong
"ause with which to go before the people. This
assault upon the tariff might really be beneficial,
if the majority in Congress had nationalized in
stead of sectonazed the contest. If the South
could be divided upon this issue it would be a
great thing not only for that section, but for che
whole country.
II take 1t that the practically solid Southern
vote given to Mr.. Carlisle means hat the South
is more welded TO the reactonarv Democracy
than 70 its manifold interests. No doubt some
of this support was given him reluctantly. for IT
seems hat 1t required the spur of viva voce
vote to keep 1t in line. If there is part of our
country that Is TO he benefited by protection it
is the new South, whose future depends upon the
development of its manufacturing interests. If
we were little further way from slavery ana
the effects OF the war We could expect a great
deal more from that part of the country But
the South has not yet forgotten the habits that
slavery bred, and is slow to learn the benefits of
free labor or to find out that politics and sentI-
ment often demOraliziDg rather than en-
couraging.
al am too old to expect TO see that beautiful
region reach the point where it will recognize
the fact that those who work from the corner
stone of every substantial prosperity. The tariff
issue ought not TO he decided within sectional
lines. The rev1ving South should not array it.
self against the business interests of the indus
trious North. Such attitude will be far more
hurtful to the country than sectional divisions
upGn purely political questions could possibly he.
If 1t shall be found that the South Is solid
against protection it will create bitterness that
will last much longer and be more farreaching
in it's consequences than any feeling aroused by
- scramble for party supremacy upon ordinary
questions can possibly be. IL is well known that
many sections of the Sonth are in favor of pro-
tectiou, and that most of It's growing industries
demand it. If these interests and convictions
are all 10 he sunk in overweening desire for
national supremacy, and the South made solid
in the attack upnn the tariff for the simple pur-
pose of electine Democratic President, then
the very worst form Of sccii6nalism is about to
be made the leading feature Of presidential bat
tle
81 hope that there are many liberal and pro-
Qressive men down there who are tired of seeing
the northern half Of the country menaeed year