Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-12-18
That Problem.

We do not admit that there II before this
country for solution any such problem as
number o. Republican journals declare to
be the ore that ought for the next four
years 10 claim the attention Of the people,
These Journals seem 10 have gone "ciean
dsitD on the subject OF the small vote cast
IN some OF the southern States mot Vir'
ginla) al the recent elections, compared
with the vote cast In certain OF the northern
States. They argue that the fact alluded
TO proves that the negro vote was sup
pressed; and the problem which the coun-
try has to soivs Il how TO set free these
negro votes.
Even II what IL assumed to be fact were
fsct. we do not know where the Republ.
cans would find authority for repairing to
Louisiana or Mississippi for the purpose Of
compelling the negroes to cast their votes,
and Of forcing the whites 10 allow them to
vote. II must be presumed that the people
OF each State are competent to the manage
ment OF their own affsirs. II cannot be
that the Republicans Of the North would
seriously propose 10 20 TO South Carolina
In large numbers, having rs the object oil
their visit the forcing OF the negroes to
vote whether they desired TO vote or
not. II seems TO us that II the negroes are
airaid to vote now. they will be rendered
none the less afraid to vote by the presence
amongst them for few days previous to
the election Of q body Of northern men,
however numerouss They will ask them
selves how long these superserviceable
nortberpers purpose TO keep up their Off
ciouspess, and will be apt to conclude that
their southern white neighbors will be en-
asperafed rather than conciliated By the acts
of the foreign Intermediates with their do
nestle Affairs.
But let US admit that there Is awaiting
solution lust such problem as the RePub-
iican Journals aforesaid declare to be be.
fore tie country. Why cannot sensible
men see for themselves that the way to
divide the southern whites and free the
negro Is 10 put an end to that pressure
from the outside which has kept the
South solid for twenty years! A man
was once travelling westwardly course
from Hartford. supposing he was going to-
wards that city. Meeting another man he
inquired OF him how far II was to Hartford
"I you keep on In the direction you are
now going" was the answer, "you will
find It b about twenty -four thousand miles.
II you turn round and 20 the other way,
you will find It about five miles," The
Republican journals we have spoken Of
are In like predicament. II they go on
In the direction they have hitherto travelled,
the dissolution OF the solldity OF the South
Is twenty thousand years of. II they will.
turn round and go the other way, they will
accomplish their purpose very soon. TIE
southern people are not agreed upon
any politIco-economica question. But
they sre agreed, and will continue to be
agreed forever, that they will not allow
themselves to be divided upon any question
whatever so long rs the bloody-shirt Is
wayed-so long as they are iibelled day after
day--so long rs the attempt is made to con.
troll their elections by force, or IN any other
way from the outside-so long as the negro
votes are all massed against them. For
twenty years the Republicans have tried
persecution. Now. let them try kindness.
The Democratic party has secured the SYM
patty and support OF the southern people
by kindness alone. The Republican party
coul', by the same means, have secured
one halt OF their votes.