New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-09-25
senator MILLER on TIE SOUTHERN
nIrECTIlN


Men are called to be teachers who address
great assemblies of the people on public in
terests 1t is not enough that they simply echo
opinions already prevailing; that the applause
of the multitude can do. But the part of the
true leader of thought is to place before the
people ideas which they had not adequately
comprehended, and in such way that they
nav be comprehcnded more fully. The admir-
able speech of Senator Miller Ia the State Con-
vention decorated by the abuse of the
treacherous NcW- York Times served this
purpose well in most respects. 1t pre-
scented, especially, in form TO i'm
press it upon the minds of Republicans who
have been disposed to disregard it, the question
whether tho control of elections and govern
ments by fraud and by systematic disregard of
the Constitution and the laws can safely be
tolerated in the Southern States. The majority
of Republicans, though they feel strongly on
this question, are but just awaking to a partial
comprehension of itS imTo lance. II Is need
ful, therefore that true leaders and strong men.
who understand where the danger lies, should
set it forth with clearncss and precision. 1t Is
especially needful that the rightful demand OF
the people for q free vote and an honest count
distinguished from any passionate scctionalism
of feeling, any vindictiveness resulting from
the Civil War, or any disposition to deny 10 the
people of the Southern States the same measure
of freedom in the exercise Of their civil rights
which the people of the North enjoy.
Strongly as Senator Miller presented his
thoughts on this question ne made one mistake.
He said, We do not fear tie domination of the
Democratic party ~ controlled by the South
because of any disloyalty to the Government
But it is disl0yplty To the Government 10 de
Iberately resist and endeavor 10 defeat its Con-
,tituiion and it, laws That is exactly what the
great majority OF Democrats In the Southern
States are doing and hnvo been doing for
years. Their purpose is ana mas been to resist
and defeat the Government of the United
States in that particular; to deprive that vital
portion Of the Constitution of nll effect and TO
secure for themselves, in the Southern States
and through those States in the Union. share
of political power to which the Constitution aud
the laws give them no right. That is disloyalty
and it is nothing else. IL is proper enough -
eopcede that there is no longer hostility TO the
union of states, or desire to dissolve the
Union. ii is proper enough to cOncedc that
there is no longer prevailing desire to main
tain or to restore the Institution of human
slavery. But in the true sense there is not
loyalty where there is not willingness TO up
hold and obey the Constitution and the laws,
and that spirit fndsno expression whatever in
the conduct Of the Democratic majority in any
Southern State.
The difference in name is important chiefly
because it calls attention to the deliberate deter
rnination shown by Southern Democrats,
land even frankly ayowed in the very article
by Charles Dudley Warner which they
are all now prasing) not merely to
carry single election, but to GGfcat
permanently and altogether those provisions of
the Constitution and the laws which give equal
suffrage to the colOred people Of the South.
The Republicans in all States feel that this
hostility to the Constitution raises an issue
more important than all others. There can be
no safety for the industrial Interests which the
Government seeks to protect. unless the power
of the people to control their own Government
| through FREQ election and an honest count
can be maintained There can be no lasting
reform of the Civil Service, no wise or honor
able foreign policy faithfully maintained, un-
less the voice OF the people freely expressed can
control their Government and shape its policy.
All the other questions about which men dis
pute arc secondary To this greatest question of
ALL whether tho right of the people to free
suffrage and honest elections shall be defeated