The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-11-22
"Solid South.n

to the effect it Will have. 1t is assumed
by the Republican press of the North and
West, that solid South, secured by such
means as contributed to the defeat of the
Liberals in this State, will operate the
certain result of solid Republican North,
in the next Presidential contest. The
Democratic press of the South contend
that the facts from which this conclusion
is reached are exaggerated, and that, in
deed, the bloody affair at Danville was
provoked by the Liberals-the victims of
the conflict being themselves the aggres-
sors. We have, in other issues of the
VIRGINIAN, discussed the relations of the
political forces in the State to that sad
tragedy, and endeavored to point out the
causes of it. 1t is not our purpose in this
article to open that question, or trace the
influences which led to it. 1t is enough
that dark record was made for this Com
monwealth on that fated Sd of November
that it was the legitimate outgrowth OF
the race issue which had been recklessly
precipitated upon the people, as the only
means Of Bourbon success. We dismiss
the horrid theme to the consideration OF
the public at home and abroad, and pro-
coed to discuss the fact of the ''Solid
South" as claimed by the Democrats of
the country and conceded by Republicans,
resulting from the defeat of the Liberals
on the 9Th inst.
Whatever the influences which have
operated to fix in the popular mind the
belief that the South will be solid for the
Democratic Presidential candidate, the
existence of that oneness will be just as
effective in forcing a solid Republican
North, let the cause be what it may. The
simple fact that 1853 electoral votes from
/ the Southern States are conceded to the
Democratic candidate for the Presidency
in 1884, whoever he may be, without a
| contest, is sufficient to arouse the North
| to the significance of such sectional solid
ity, and institute inquiry as to the effect
of such condition of things upon the
country. In whatever light it is consid-
cred, the glaring fact must be recognized
| that it is not the result Of impartial dis
cussion and dispassionate conclusion as to
any governmental administrative policy
| affecting the interests of all the people OF
| the States. 1t is not pretended that there
is such diversity of interest between the
| North and South-such division of SEN
timent on measures and policies as would
justify the one section appearing as unit
with only the formality of an election TO
crystalize it into an effective force. 1t will
be admitted, indeed, that the measures
and policies of the Republican party have
contributed to the growth and prosperity
of the South as well as the NOrth-that
there has been nothing of sectionalism in
them, but broad nationalism, which has
| taken in the South and made it to share
in the wonderful advancement which has
marked our national history for the past
fifteen years. The capital, enterprise and
skill of the N orth have invaded the South
with friendly purpose. Railroads have
been made to ramify every portion OF our
section, and industries inaugurated to util-
ize the natural resources and enrich the
people of the Southern States. These re-
suits have come from the fostering infiu-
ences of the policy of the government.
controlled by the Republican party. The
South has, in larger degree, been the
beneficiary Of this governmental policy
than the North. New life and new des-
tiny seem to have been opened up for the
Southern States. Our cities and towns.
mountains and forests and valleys, which
lay dormant and dead, have been vitalized,
| values created, the currents of CONNER
cial and industrial activity set in motion
and the whole Southland made to blossom
as the rose. Protection to home indus.
tries, a safe and stable currency, and 6
banking system, without its eqnal in iehe
world, have given this extraordinary i'm.
petus to business, developed industries
and administered to the wealth and pro
gress of both North and South, and prom.
Using still greater increase, especially tC
the South, as time moves on.
These tangible, indisputable facts, sc
beneficent in their influence to the whole
country, force the inquiry, 'What does
the solid Democratic South mean ?" The
question is the more pregnant, when we
consider that the Democratic party is the
recorded foe of every measure and act OF
legislation that has brought about this
universal condition Of prosperity. Apart
from sectional pride or prejudice, the
business interests of the North and West
ask the question, ''What is the solid South
after ?" Is it not satisfied with the pro
gress of its material development, its
growing industries. it's rapidly accumulat
ing wealth ? 1t is natural to conclude
with the votes it's representatives have
cast in Congress on the tariff, the national
bank charters and the resumption act, that
solid Democratic South, with the neces
sary 4S electoral votes from the North t.
place the Democratic party in control o.
the government, would be followed by ad
ministrative measures, the reverse of those
which have distinguished the Republican
party, and given to the nation its credit, it'
progress. it's prosperity. A tariff for reve
nue. only, to starve out the manufactures O
the country and throw into idleness thous
ands of artizans and laborers State
Banks, with their variable and uncertain
issues, as business agents to supercede the
National banks, and all irredeemable cur
rency, to meet the wants of the people
and the demands of trade, would follow
the success of the Democratic party
through solid South, if that party were
to be true to its record and give practica
Interpretation to the votes of its represen
tativeS heretofore.
Is there not something in all of this t.
stir the apprehensions of the North an(
West, and arouse the business interests Of
the nation to the dangers that would bt
threatened ?
Apart, therefore, from the sectional phase
of a. solid South''-apart from the fact
that the solid South sought to destroy the
government and the North to preserve il
apart from the agencies employed tt
make the South solid-there is volume Of
reason and argument, affecting business
relations material values and nationa
progress-to force solid North, in the in
terests Of the policies which have proved
such a blessing to the people of both the
North and South. There is not fact OF