Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-11-11
WHY THE SOUTH is SOLID.
A Boston Newspaper Gets the Opinion
iyfof the Governors of souvherp States.

ceiVed replies from several OF the Gov
ernors OF Southern States in response to a
series of inquiries suggested by the result
of the New York election. In its mess
age OF inquiry TO the Governors the Herald
said: ''The loss of New York to the Re
publicans IN the campaign Just closed,
seems to Indicate that the sectional issue
in political campaigns in the North is
ended forever" and answers TO the fol-
lowing questions were requested:
l. Upon what issue and by what means can
the white voters OF tho South be divided into
two parties, separated by opinions and inter-
ests, as at the NorthS
2 Would an interchange OF political speak
ers of both parties between the North and the
South be acceptable TO your State in future
campaigns2
8. Do you consider that the negro voters are
more Indifferent than formerly 10 the suffrage,
and are thew disposed to disrt gard the color
line in vOting2
4. what is the greatest existing objection to
a break in what is called the Solid south?
Prominent among the replies is that of
Fitzhugh Lee, OF Virginia. He telegraph
ed as follows:
81 answer your first question thus:
The solidity of the white vote OF the South
is the result of the false reconstruction
policy of the Republican party after the
cally divide until the cOiOred people DO,
and these latter will not divide so long as
the few whites acting with them are sus-
tanned by the National Repu blican partV's
promises of Office and reward. Malone
said, YOU know, that he controlled the ne
gro vote, and it was only a question of
how many white votes he could add to
them to control the State. No Southern
State can ever be long controlled by such
a mixture.
"TO your second question l answer: An
interchange OF speakers would make the
sections know each other better, and
might do good. We would like the Re
publican party at the North to see what
the Republican party OF the South is COM
posed of.
ITO your third question l anwer: Yes.
"To your fourth question | answer: The
fear that your State governments viii re-
turn TO the condition of things existing
Under the scalawag and carpet-bag gov
ernments, and from which the Democracy
rescued them"
GOV. Hughes, OF Arkansas, telegraphed
from Little Rock: "In response to your
first question, we Of the South will rejoice
to know that sectional issues in political
campaigns at the North are ended forever.
The white voters of the South are divided
into two parties, separated by opinions
and interests, and a large majority of
them are Democrats upon principle. !
think an interchange of speakers of both
political parties between the North and
the South would be acceptable to the peo-
pie OF the South, and have "A good effect i'm
promoting a better understanding, and in
removing unhappy and grOundless preiu-
dices. We look to the future and not to
lead issues, are anxious to develop and
build up the new South, and ever main.
tain the Union, the principles of liberty,
OF the constitution, and Of equal rights to
all.
"Third-The negro is not so eager to
vote as he once was, though he still high
ly values the suffrage, and has a DISPOSE
ton, perhaps, to vote sOlidly for the Re-
publican party, though very large ma
jOrity OF them uniformly vote that ticket.
"Fourth-The South is ready to meet
the North in spirit of fairness and fra
ternity, and strike hands for the general
good of he country, and to let the sec
tIOnal issues be buried forever; and this
accomplished there is no solid South. Let
us have peace"
Gov. j. Proctor Knott, OF Kentucky,
sent this response:
''ln reply to your telegram, just re-
ceived, would respectfully say that the
white voters of the South are already
divided into two parties, separated by
opinions and interests, as in the North.
A large majority Of them in each State
cOnscientiOuslg believe that the princi-
pies advocated by the Democratic party
are more consistent with the true spirit
of the constitution and better calculated
to insure a just administration OF the
government, the preservation of their
liberties, the security of their individual
interests, and the promotion of the general
welfare, than the policy proposed by the
Republicans, and therefore vote the
Democratic ticket. The minority, on the
other hand, either because they honestly
entertain a different opinion, or for some
other reason, choose 10 vote with the Re
publicans; so that parties are divided in
the South precisely as they are in the
North, and will continue TO be, / suppose,
as long as the same reasons for these
differences exist.
"In answer to your inquiry whether an
interchange OF political speakers of both
parties between the North and South, IN
future campaigns would be acceptable in
this State, would say, very emphatcally,
yes. Any speaker, of any party, demean-
ing himself respectfully, would he sure Of
a kind reception and patient hearing
anywhere in Kentucky, unless he should
attempt TO excite social prejudice or sec
tional strife, by reopening the buried is
sues Of the war. In that event, he would
he treated with derlsiOn or silent con-
tempt nothing more.
ain answer to your third question. |
would say know Of no such thing as the
color line in the politics of this State.
except in the Republican party. Although
the negroes constitute the great bulk Of
that party in Kentucky, ! know Of but
one instance in which negro has been
elected to an office, even in localities
where there are large Republican MAORI
ties, and not one in which a negro candi-
date receives the full white vote Of his
party. There may be some dissatisfac-
ton among them growing out Of this fact,
and there are some Of them who vote the
Democratic ticket. but | cannot say that
they are more Indifferent TO the suffrage
than formerly.
"YOu ask, What Is the greatest exist
ing objection TO a break IN what il called
the solid SOuthp very large majority
Of the intelligent white voter Of the South
are, as | have said, Democratic from con-
viction that the principles OF that party
are right, and they vote accordingly.
They are solid in their iealty to every pro-
vision in the constitution OF their country,
and as faithful 10 the union which IL was
intended TO establish as the people Of
Massachusetts,. They are solid in their
devotion 70 the great principles OF human
liberty and solid in their desire for an
honest, economical, just. and faithful ad-
m nistration Of the government; and I'm
that sense they desire 10 see the whole
country solid. ], therefore, see no reason