The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1883-08-21

The Washington Republican says Zone
Of the decisions under which the Democratic
party is cropping is the supposition that the
Solid South will remain CONCEALED. The
political leaders and managers who imagine
that the Southern States will enthuse and
shout for free trade in 1884 are blind to the
growth Of enterprise and thrift in that section.
Before the Inauguration Of Abraham Lincoln
the people south of Mason's and Dixon's
line were united because Of their peculiar in
stitution During the years Of his administra-
ton they were unified by hope Of aggrandize-
ment and separate national existence. But
now upon the scene are coming new men,
new interests, new opinions. Ante-bellum
hareds are slowly but surely fading
away. Cotton is royal, but uncrowned. No
staple can long be king. Independent OF the
unrequited labor Of ignorant slaves, the men
Of the new South are centralzing their ener-
gies and wealth in manufacturing industries.
They are teaching and employing skilled
labor. 1t is a well known fact that the New
England manufacturers realize that COMPETE
ton in the South is seriously affecting their
business. The end Of the American conflict
Of sections is being attained by silent forces
more potent than all the enainery OF war.
The fields and mines Of the South are no
longer removed from the marts of trade by
distance and negligence. Mills and factories
are sprnging up in every State from Maryland
to Texas. The planter and miner find mar
kets for their products within easy reach.
'haNF NW,V
ern mills, and duplicate or double the cost Of
return to their homes. They are becoming a
new and wonderful people. The delivers
in earth and ore and the skilled re6ners of
their goods are taking broader views of the
situation as the horizon of their intelligence is
enlarged. County and State lines no longer
hem in their ideas and fetter their
growth, the iron men, cotton men, rice men,
the dealers in sugar, tobacco, and cereals are
looking to the National Government for pro-
lection and fostering care. The exceptions
to this rule are they who quarrel ingloriously
with the progressive spirit Of the age. Time,
which scatters silver upon their heads, would
put gold into their pockets, but they refuse it.
The new generation is gathering the fruits of
honest industry. They look with keener in
sight into the national constitution and expect
the Government at Washington to "provide
for the general welfare" by closing our ports
against the influx Of those things which would
parayze all of our domestic labor and pau.
perize our laborers They are beginning to
appreciate the fact that by regulating the tariff
so as to encourage home manufacturers the
Republican party is, as it always has
been, the best friend of the South.
Those who are most advanced in
thought understand that in its contest
against slavery the Republican party was sub
serving the best interests of the slave holding
States. These opinions are growing, not
alone in the minds OF the race which was per-
sonally benefited by the Republican party,
but the sentiment is taking deep root in the
minds Of what has been termed "the dominant
race" The white men, not only in Virginia
and North Carolina, but throughout the entire
South, are coming to an appreciation of facts
as they exist, regardless OF the prejudices and
hatreds Of the past The enemies OF the
South to-day are the surviving relics OF the
lost cause. Time is rapidly thinning their
numbers, popular intelligence is benumbing
their power and influence. The new South is
growing into Republican faith and National
fealty.