The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1884-07-24
Blaine's Letter OF Acceptance.

This document was given to the
Press Of the country last week. 1t
contains about 5000 words, and |
fully one-balf of it Is devoted to a
discussion in favor Of protective |
tariff. The other topics treated are |
our internal commerce, our foreign
policy, our trade relations with
Mexico, the Southern States, civil
service reform, the Mormon qles-
tion, our currency, the public lands,
our shipping interests, and the
sacredness of the ballot. The letter
is a strong and exhaustive exposi-
tion of Republican doctrine, and
will prove a powerful campaign
document in the contest new joined
between the two great parties. Con-
trary to what many expected, it is
totally free from anything of de-
mandatory or exasperating charac
ter, its whole tenor being argumen-
tative and of spacific nature, Illus
trating to the greatest advantage
the Plumed Knights great ability
and political tact.
We'give in full his remarks on
the South, which may be taken as a
fair sample Of the tone Of the entire
letter:
THE SOUTHERN STATES.
recognize, not without regret,
the necessity for speaking of two
sections of our common country.
But the regret diminishes when ]
see that the elements which
separated them are fast disappear
ing. Prejud;ces have yielded, and
are yielding, while growing cor
diality warns the Southern and the
Northern heart alike. Can any one
doubt that between the sections con
fidence and esteem are to-day more
marked than at any period in the
sixty years preceding the election
of President Lincoln? This is the
result, in part, Of time and in part
Of Republican principles, applied
under the favorable conditions of
uniformity, 1t would be a great
calamity to change these influences
under which Southern common
wealtbs are learning to vindicate
civil rights and adapting them
selves to the positions of political
tranquility and and industrial pro-
gress.
If there be occasional and violent
out breaks in the South against this
peaceful progress, the public opin-
ion of the country regards them as
exceptional, and hopefully trusts
that each will prove the last.
The South needs capital and oc-
cupation, not controversy. AS much
as any part of the North the South
needs the full protection of the rev.
enue laws which the Republican
party offers. Some of the Southern
States have already entered upon a
career of industrial development and
prosperity. These at least should
not lend their electoral votes to de-
, stroy their own future. Any effort
to unite the Southern States upon
issues that grow out Of the memo
ries of the war, will summon the
Northern States to combine in the
. assertion of that nationality, which
was their inspiration in the civil
struggle, and thus the great ener-
gies which should be united in a
common industrial development,
will be wasted in hurtful strife.
The Democratic party shows itself
foe to Southern prosperity by al
ways invoking and urging Southern
political consolidation. Such a
policy quenches the rising instinct
of patriotism in the heart of the
Southern youth. 1t revives and
stimulates prejudice. 1t substitutes
the spirit of barbaric vengeance tor
the love of peace, progress and har-
mony.