The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-11
Politics IN THE SOUTH.
Unique Character of the Standardization
Frauds Which Are Not Denied.

Frauds Which Are Not Denied.
New York Special
The condition and prospects of the Southern
States probably never more prominently
before the public mind than they seem to be
here at present. General John A Logan, who
was in New York the other day, remarked to
friend that had Mr. Blaine made his now famous
Agusta speech ten days before the late election
instead of after, the result would have been
widely different one.
Nor was General Logan's remark entirely an
afterthought, The apparent necessity of the
warning which Mr.. Blaine gave the country is
said to have occurred to both Republican candi-
dates, and it was only the overpowering veto OF
the national committee that prevented such
action on the part of the candidates themselves.
Your correspondent has within the past week,
talked with number Of Republicans, not only
in this State but in others, upon the question Of
Southern supremacy as it Is likely to present
itself in the next few years. and some of these
may perhaps be worth reproduction. In con
versation with q close and intimate friend of
General Garfield, in Cleveland, a few days ago ne
said: mo question had received more careful
attention at the hands of the Ohio President
than that of the Southern people. With that
close and careful preparation which General
Garfield gave every public question, he had come
to the conclusion that nothing had greater
bearing on the prosperity of the country than
the condition of the South"
l said to this that, in an interview hastily gath
cred from the General previous to any talk of
pressed himself to me as extremely hopeful OF
the early disntegration of the solid South. and
had often wondered whether he had not felt
disappointment in this regard.
''Aes" was the reply. Il think there was
time when the General expected much more
speedy development of the South than had ever
been realized He had. however, great faith in
the future. The difficulties which surrounded
the opening of his short administration prevent
ed the execution of what would have been to
him delightful task. He expected and was
preparing to make personal tour through the
Southern States He meant to have met the
people face to face. and to have solved for him
self the question of government in the South.
What is your own opinion of the future pros
poets of that section of the cOuntryF
Il know very little of myself, but from con-
versation with a friend of my own, and per
sonal friend of General Garfield, who has Just
returned from trip through n number OF the
Southern States, the situation there is at
present unique Suddenly, and for the first
time since the fall of Richmond, the South
finds itself practically in control of the
government. There is feeling l am told,
among many of the Southern people of a just
appreciation of their present responsibilities.
They regard themselves as on probation, and
many of them feel that this is the time to show
the North, and not the North alone, but the whole
world that many of the charges made against
them have been overdrawn.
Opposed to this is the relic of the old rebel
spirit still strong in the hearts of many South
efnerS ana q desire Tor immaculate possession OIL
public Office, and this conflict is now in progress.
How it will result is question which you can
answer as well as l."
Speaking of Judge Tourgee's relations with
President Garfield and his recent book on the
South, asked him how far those views conceded
with those of my informant
cit is evident from what have read of An
Appeal to Caesar that Judge Tourgee regards
the problem as requiring long time for its solu-
ton. An Appeal to Cesar is of course ar APP
peal to the American Deople and the question
certainly seems to rest in their bands"
Talking here tonight with Mr. McCracken,
who has been engaged as railroad constructor
for the old Seney syndicate, and who has recent
ly returned from trip through the South he
said
Il think the South ought to be divided into
two separate categories before any correct solu-
ton or examination can be made concerning it.
would place western and eastern Virginia. and
possibly parts of North Carolina, in one part, and
South Carolina. Mississippi, Alabama, FLORIDA
and the rest in quite another. Kentucky is not
worth talking about one way or the other In
the first States mentioned l believe there Is
very decided feeling of favor toward Northern
institutions. Commerce and trade have already
opened the way for closer union between them
and us. Many Northern men have already made
their homes there, and there is a general feeling,
not always expressed, that the further mainte-
nance of united opposition to the people Of the
North is drawback to their own advancement.
Draw line from Georgetown, s. c., to New
Orleans through what is termed the BLACK belt"
however, and it is hard to imagine much more
benighted region, The frauds peFpetrated at
every election are most brazen and shamefaced.
No attempt is made to conceal or deny them.
Sit down with any man over bottle of wine and
he will explain the modus operandi of the whole
affair. Nothing you can conceive of will exceed
the enormity of these outraGes on the rights of
the franchise system. The half has probably
not been made known to the Northern people