New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-27
REpUBlIC4yISM IN TIE SOUTH.

The Executive Committee OF the National
Union League at n recent meeting in Phila-
dclphia took important action toward rehabili-
tatlng the Republican organization in the
Southern States. 1t decided to hold meetings
in that section to he addressed by speakers
from tho North, the first one to be held in At
lanta the coming fall. This action Is in line
with q suggestion made some months ago In
TIE TRIBUNE and it will meet with the cordial
approval of those who have studied carefully
the present political situation and surveyed the
ground upon which the next Presidential battle
must be fought. Northern Republicans have
virtually ignored the party in the South tor
some years past and the natural result has been
that the organization there has fallen into de-
moralized condition. Whether this was the
wisest course to pursue in the past or not it is
certain that it cannot he followed with safety in
the future. Now that new movement. Is to
be made it should be earnestly pressed and the
brief time left before the next National cam
paign fully improved.
To start Alright, the Republicans must clearly
understand the political situation at the South.
There is material there for vigorous Organl-
cation in opposition to the Bourbons, but it is
in chaotic state and will need careful and
skilful management No more promising field
is open for the propagation of Republican prin-
cipes than is offered in Maryland, Virginia,
West Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky,
Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. The gains
made in Congressman in these States last fall
under the most Instantaneous circumstances
show what can be done at q more prOpitiOus
time. With legitimate aid there are good rea-
sons to believe that the Republicans in Mary
land can make large gains, If not rescue the
State from the Democrats, this year. and so in
trench themselves in Il strong position for 1884.
The acknowledgements between the Democratic
factions in Georgia will also give the Republic
cans an opportunity TO reorganize and attract TO
their ranks the Independent white voters who
have become dissnsted with the proscriptivo
methods of the Bourbons. The situation in the
other States mentioned also holds out many en-
cOuragements to the Republicans to look for
accessions to their ranks.
But the right issues must be chosen and the
right men found to lead in the new movement
It may as well be acknowledged at once that
no party which Ia founded upon the color line
can gain n permanent footing in the South.
While the rights of the colored people must be
steadily maintained there are other questions
than the old war issues upon which the Repub
lican party can appeal to the intelligent senti-
ment of the South. 1t can safely go into that
section as the champion of American indus
tries. The expressions of opinion in the South
ern newspapers during the debate on the tariff
in the late Congress show marked change In
the opinion of their people on! this question.
Should the free-trhde element in the Demo
cratic party force its views into the next Ma
tiOnal platform and make the campaign upon
that issue, it would not be surprising to see IA
split in the ranks of tho party in the South.
Some of the Democratic organs there have In
fact served notice upon the leaders that the
voters cannot be rallied in favor of n policy
which will put check upon the growing indus
tries of the Southern States.
As the patron, then, of home manufactures
and of the dignity Of American labor tho South
offers promising field for the spread Of Repub-