The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-04-23
THE BETTER SOUTH,

The South will yet be delivered by the
South. The iniquities of the few who man
age the Southern political machine, and always
in a manner antagonistic to harmony between
the States-the men who insist on a solid
South in distinction to a united country-will
sooner or later be relegated to the rear, while
the better elements of society in those States
will assert themselves and bring about better
order of things. The conciliatory attitude of
the people is too apparent to be mistaken.
The spirit of friendliness is more strongly
marked on the part of the North than ever
before, and while there yet remains a right
between the several States and the general
government, the bitterness of war times
has all passed away. The veteran soldiers,
so long opposed, have met and mingled So
cially since the memories of the war have
faded. A post of the Grand Army of the Re
public has consented to assist in the work of
founding home for disabled and invalid
veterans of the South. The Unions greatest
general gladly consented to serve as chairman
of a meeting for the purpose of raising funds
for such an enterprise. Unless civilization
is a failure the better elements of the South
must realize that a better day has dawned
upon them, and will be quick to avail them
selves of the advantages offered,
In addition to the social olive branch so
agreeably extended, the people Of the
North have not been slow to bind
the two sections with the chains of commerce.
Literal millions Of capital have gone from the
North into Southern enterprises. Immense
cotton mills and iron mills are springing up in
scores of Southern cities, and the profits there
from enrich North and South alike The in
telligence of the South, witnessing these
headed politicians among the people, who in
sist upon senseless sectional division, and
emphasizing their wishes by every desperate
method known to desperate, murderous men,
are the enemies not of the North so much as
of the South, Crime and injustice persisted
in will bring in its revenges upon those who
tolerate them, just as the laxity of courts and
failure of justice brought fearful penalties
upon the people of Cincinnati.
No people, no community, can afford to
stand complacently by and make effort to
shield the weak from the strong nor to stay
the hand Of violence. The man who assas-
sinated Matthews at Hazlehurst got his pay
by being elected to some petty office. The
community of Hazlehurst will yet realize that
the man who murdered Matthews is its worst
enemy, and that he has done it more harm
than he could hope to repair in century.
The Danvilles and the Ellentons are the ulcers
upon Southern society, while new vigOr and
new business health are being imported by
the Birminghams the Chattanooga and the
Atlantis. The great disturbing cause
between North and South ex-
lists no longer, neither is there
reason for sectional distinctions so odious to
national unity and commercial interests
Alabama and Georgia would be better off to-
day were they aligned with the Republican
party Their industrial enterprises are all
the children of Republican legislation, and
the Republican party is still their best friend
However, leaving out of consideration all
material advantages, the South owes it to
itself to throttle and down the desperate and
disreputable men who have so disgraced JUS
tee and modern civilization. Let it remain
Democratic if it will, but let it be courageous
enough and honest enough to denounce
and prevent the murder of men
killed for opinions sake. This stand once
made, little exception can be taken to Demo
cratic majorities coming from Southern
States; there will be no occasion to wave the
"bloody shirt" nor to dread it, and all will be
serene. The North has no ill-feeling toward
the South as a section nor as opposed in poll
tics, but for political assassination, for massa-
ores of men on account of their opinions there
must always be felt the strongest condemna
ton and horror. 1t is time the reputable and
law abiding men OF the Ooutn came strongly
to the front in public affairs, supplement-
ing the efforts Of its honorable and leading
men in social and economic matters. So shall
there be new South, politically as well as
materially, new South that will rejoice not
in itself, but take pardonable pride in a nation
of which it is a part.
u....u....r......---s-.-.-----.
THE customs will be diminished about $685.