The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-09
THE EVIL OF A SOLID SOUTH.

tremity to which it dares go. For years pre-
of slavery. That was a tangible dividing
line. insisted on by the South, between the
South and North. The South was always a
unit for the perpetuation of slavery The
electoral votes of the South were never prob
lematical Not a State from Delaware TO
Texas wavered or weakened The vote of
each was always claimed by Democrats and
allowed by the opposition. 1t is SO now, but
with less excuse. Outside OF prejudice there
is absolutely no apology whatever for Sec
tional solidity. The North finds no occasion
now for aligning itself as section against
the South, except the necessity of confront
inga solid South with solid North in the
interests of free government. Nobody North
desires to antagonize the South on sectional
grounds. No political organization dreams
of such thing as a permanence in
its plans. A movement to that effect,
declared or implied, would cost the
party making it from so to 80 per cent
sympathies, and holds no ill will toward the
States south, solid though they be.
The South is solid to-day through the
blindest prejudice that ever deluded any
people. The South was saved once from its
folly, was rescued at fearful price, and
leading Southern men are candid enough to
admit that up to the close of the war the
South was its own greatest enemy. The
same is true now, though the people of that
section are too proud and too prejudiced to
see it. But for this sectional solidity, but
for the intolerant spirit that crucifes all
liberality of thought and action, the South
would be regenerated for the second time.
With the surrender at Appomattox it was
redeemed from the evils of slavery. With
the strength and self-reliance thus acquired
it should now be able to strike down the
barriers that prevent free ballot. 1t is not
wise to control the ballot-box by fraud or
intimidation no more so than it was wise to
go into rebellion for the perpetuation
of human slavery. Political slavery is just
as harmful as was physical slavery. No
people can thrive under either as they
would when freed from them. The North is
mighty in wealth and resources because 1t
has long been made up of people free from
every restraint. The ballot-box is just as Access
sible to a Democrat in Iowa as is in Geor-
gia. Every man in the North freely votes his
preference, and no one dare interfere The
same cannot be said of the solid South The
black Republican of South Carolina or of
Louisiana or of Virginia might as well burn
his ticket as to attempt to vote it. If the
election is uncertain the ready revolver
makes itself terror, as was the case at Dan.
vile in The recent contest. If the result is
not dangerously close, the ballot may be re-
ceived in form, only to be thrown out or de-
stroyed when the count is made. 1t is folly
to argue that North Carolina, South Caro-
lima, Florida and Louisiana are so solidlv
made these States Republican only
ten years ago. In South Carolina
in 1868 Grant received majority
of 16064 over Horatio Seymour. In
1872 his majority over Greeley was 1857,
owing to the detection of iron-clad Demo
Gratis who would not vote for the great Abo-
litionist. -Four years later, in 1876, Hayes
received majority of but 974. Four years
later the Republican majority was not only
wiped out but an adverse majority of 81 242
piled up. 1t is an insult to common sense
to plead that the massacre at Ellenton and
the outrages perpetrated in almost every
voting precinct by red-shirters had nothing
to do with this result. AS proof OF this it is
necessary but to cite the fact that from 1876
to 1880 the Republican vote fell off 80, 799,
while the Democratic party gained but 81
416, and this latter by as foul means as ever
were devised by unprinciped men.
In Louisiana, in 1872, Grant had major
ity OF IA 634. Four years later Hayes had a
majority of 4, 807. In 1880 these nearly 5000
votes were lost, and Hancock was given a
majority of 27,051. In North Carolina
Grants majority in 1868 was u, 1853; in 1872
24,675. In 1876 Tilden's majority was
II, DO In Florida in 1872, Grants ma
jority was 1886, Hayes received majority
of but 922, and in 1880 Garfield lost the
State by 1920. Political changes have been
noticeable in Northern States, but they were
not all one way. Northern States have been
the battlefield of free thought, and free
ballot has indicated the changes of current
opinion. No one can point to night riding
red-shirters and bulldozers in the North.
There are no Ellentons and Danvilles here.
But for sake of argument let it be admit
ted that the South is solid throu Ii honest