The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-25
BEEcHER ON CURRENT TOPICS.
Future of the South---Blaine and the Catho-
lies -Cleveland's PHI S!ld the Democracy.


Atlanta Special to St. Louis Globe Democrat.
In brief talk on public affairs, Mr.. Beecher
said:
s1know of no section of the Union with a
greater future than the South. Now that the
disturbing political issues and the curse of slav-
cry which stood as a barrier between it and the
civilized world have been removed, the country
will begin to grow and develop in such a way as
to put in the shade the wonderful progress made
by Western communities But 1 have seen so
little of 1T with my own eyes that perhaps
should leave the statement of its advantages to
others
''What direction will Southern progress takeas
"Tne building of its manufactures first.
Money always seeks profitable investment
find that many progressive men of the South,
who have the ears of Northern capitalists, have
secured large influx of money, the result of
which can be seen in Birmingham and Chatta-
nooga In time this draws population The
South, though the richest portion of our nation
al heritage, was walled in by slavery, in
contact with which free labor could not
come without degrading itself. The hardy peas
aptry of Europe who sought cur shores did so
with the view of lettering their condition; con-
sequently they would not go near the slave line.
Take Missouri, for instance. There is a State
blessed by nature, fortified by human inventive
genius and made attractive by wealth-the ma
tional center of the United States Her lands,
her minerals, all were inviting yet the great
flood of immigration rolled over it, and kept on
until Kansas was reached whore labor was the
freeman'S heritage, and the community was not
weighted down by an incubus from barbarous
age. But the events of the last twenty years
have changed all this, and the incoming of the
present administration has set in motion a new
era, in which the South will play an important
part"
-four years ago. said Mr. Beecher. after q
pause, when the Garfield campaign was in prog
ress, said to nay people that hoped to see the
day when might vote for Southern man for
President What was then wild dream has
now come to be reality. There are Southern
men now before the public-Democrats-wh
would vote fer to place in the presidential
chair have no names to offer 1t is too early
to name men for the next race, and many things
NAV happen in four years to change the drift OF
public opinion, but if the elections were to take
place to-day under present influences, there are
Southern men who would be well thought Of in
the North for the presidency
There were deep influences at work in the
last election. The Republican party in the
Northern States had fallen into the control of
thieves and jobbers, and patriots were alarmed.
This was intensified by the nomination of Mr..
Blaine, whose known bad character made it i'm
possible that he should receive the support of
honest men. Then it was that many of the most
courageous looked across to the Democracy for
the way out of the wilderness. Thousands and
thousands could not vote for Blaine, and their
preiudices would not allow them to vote for
Cleveland. Then it was that ST. John afforded
the blessed relief. All through New York State
st. John was the city OF refuge. Men who would
otherwise have been compelled to vote for Blaine
voted for St John, and for this opportune work
the Prohibltionists deserve thanks. vote for
St. John was vote taken from Blaine. For
this should thank God for ST. John"
what were the most serious objections to Mr..
BlaineF'
THAT he was man with no principles, and a
trimmer for purposes of gain. have seen the
statement that he was once a Catholic. l only
L 4 i ~ ILL.,
know that at some period of his life he had some
religion But If he ever was Catholic he sim
ply slouehed off without being noticed He at
tends the Congregational Church at his home.
1t is the proper thing for @ politician to do in
that place.
"That bargain existed between the Cath
olcs and Blaine verify believe OF course we
can only suspect. How comes it that the ignor
ant Irish Catholics the country through, who
had been born in tho Democratic fold, so mys-
teriously went over to the support of Mr.. Blainea
nod from the cardinal to his bishops. whis
per from the bishops to the priests, sign from
the priests to the congregatiors-and at once we
see the Catholic hosts of the Union voting the
Republican ticket.
.Then again, Blaine was on the closest per-
sonal relations With the dynamite Irish. In his
addresses he fairly lathered them over. There
must have been an understanding that he would
antagonze England and uphold the policy of the
dynamiters He is still pursuing the same tao
ties. Defeated once, he will try again, and he
relies on the dynamite Irish vote to give him the
State of New York. They are in close and con-
fdential relationship. Hence, you may look for
a campaign next time in which Blaine will figure
as the leader and the Catholics and the dyna-
miters as his close followers To offset this,
however, the hundreds of thousands of Repub-
leans who disguised with party management,
either failed to vote or voted for Blaine under
protest, will by that time be emboloened to vote
the Democratic ticket"
what are the prospects of the Democratic
administration, and its continuance in power2"
Conducting the government on the high plane
which Mr.. Cleveland has marked out for it, a
hearty adherence to the principles OF the civil
service law and giving the country peace and
prosperity, there IS no reason why it should not
have half dozen terms in the presidency. The
worst danger that could befall the Democracy
now would be the removal of Cleveland. The
accession of Hendricks, representing the ultra
Bourbon Democracy, disposing of the offices as
rewards for political services, would throw the
country back, and call Republicanism back into
power The conduct of the South during the
last three weeks has been remarkably heroic.
With the presidency in it's possession, it has not
hampered him by pleading for Office but has
stood by in dignifed manner, I'd allowed him
to shape affairs in his own way The Presidents
plan is to fill the responsible bureau chiefships
with representative Southern men, such men as
have influence at home, and whose appointment
will have more influence than hundred clerks.
The enforcement of the civilserviee rules will
not destroy party organization. The men who
FIJI the offices are but barnacles, who really do
nothing for party success, are noisy, and have
little influence at home. If some men who
do not get into Office are disappointed
thereat, and threaten to kick out of
party traces, those who keep in office viii
become Democrats, and thus time will
make all things even. And, besides, what
the Office holders when set up against G, 600 900
peoplea If Cleveland adheres to civil service ne
will be reelected to the presidency. He does not
want it. but like many other men, he is willing
to save his country"
ardad " ts pao ,a m thnh
the South like a plow through q prairie field.
throwing over the turf of society, with the
whites under and the blacks on top. It was a
terrible state of affairs. which the Southern peo-
Pile endured with heroism unequaled in history.
That they deported themselves so we'll proves
that they are equal to the problems of the fu-
ture The future of the races will he Centralized