The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-12
HARRISON AND THE SOUTH.


How His Election IL Viewed by Ex-Cov. Bill
lock aud Col. A. +. Buck, of Georgia.
Interviews IN Atlanta Constitution.
A reporter called on Ex-Governor Bullock to
obtain his views on the political situation, as it
appeared yesterday morning. When the
porter made his wants known the Ex-Governor
said
First and foremost, then, believe and say
that the election of General Harrison will prove
the greatest blessing which has befslen our sec.
ton since the abolition of slavery. That gave
Us a chance to utilize all our natural advantages
rupling Of our industries by the assurance of
permanence to the protective policy for Ameri-
can industry"
"Then you favor high tariff"
"Not necessarily high tariff. but do favor
the adjustment of whatever tariff 10 necessary 10
give as the needed revenue in such q way on
foreign imports as to protect every industry
that can be fostsred in the United States The
whole system OF internal taxation by federal
authority and through federal officials should b
swept away"
''But the great question is, how does General
Harrison stand toward the Southl"
81 have authority to speak for General
Harrison. But if We judge by his record and
his words he has only good will toward every
section of his country. He was brave and
gallant federal soldier, who saw much of actual
service and hard fighting, and we have never
yet found one OF that class who had any bitter
ness in his heart for our section. The bad
blood of to-day does not flow in the veins Of any
man on either side of the great contest who was
ready to shed good blood when there was danger
at the front. General Harrison was one of the
bravest in that position. His record since as Q
United States Senator and his speeches in the
campaign sustain this belief"
''But how about his political sppointees in
the SOUTH"
"Of course it is only fair to suppose that he
will seek the best mon in the sections where ap-
pointees are needed. OF one thing we may be
certain, and that is that he is under no political
obligations to the organizations branded Repub-
lican In the South, and about which our people
are justly alarmed. Outside OF Virginia and
North Carolina thoss organizations are numeri-
cally controlled by negroes who are not always
the best of their race. These organizations are
always excuse for the foolish attitude that
most OF our white people assume with regard to
o race issue. But General Harrison is not In
debted to tn sm for votes in the nominating con-
vention at Chicago He was nominated by the
delegates representing the best elements Of go
ciety in the free St..tes, and is the typo of can.
didate around whom that class OF people every
where should rally for safety against the power
OF vice and ignorance"
''But how can the better elements of society
here rally TO a party and q President that seeks
in every way to degrade our whites and mag.
nifty our blacksr
II do not know of any party or any President
seeking any such result. or imbued with any
such purpose. Any party proclaimlng rea-
sona6ly suspected OF such a policy could not
carry the State Of Massachusetts, If this had
been the issue in the late contest General Har-
rison would not have carried single State in
the Union. And there will be nothing for our
section to complain Of in the coming administra-
ton. unless we bring it upon ourselves by kick
ing against the inevitable. When We surrendered
our armies that were marshaled to maintain q
sentiment We all agreed to abide by the laws
subsequently We were offered an option az to
the enfranchisement of the negro. This we
spurned, but later accepted the thirteenth,
fourteenth and fifteenth amendments to the
Constitution of the United States as q settle
ment of the war issues These amend
ments demand equal public advantages
and privileges TO all citizens. We can't chape &c
this Constitution except by successful revolution.
The Congress makes national laws and the Su-
preme Court CONSTITUTES them. Our parole COM
mits as to their obedience. 1t is no longer a
question Of preference, but of duty. Our local
governments are in the hands of a majority of
our lawful voters, subject to the federal Consti-
tution-outside authority cannot now add to or
take from the basis OF representation. There
Is no authority on earth to override our home
rule. and We are ready and willing to zee to ii
that such rule is in conformity with the Consti.
tuition we have sworn to support. On questions
affecting federal matters, election of Congress
men, federal courts, aud so forth, the Congress
and general government are supreme, and we
have no right or reason to object to any lawful
own spere. If there no cause to question the
fairness or fulluess Of elections by which Con
gressmen are selected, there will be no excuse
for any attempt at federal interference.
''To what do you attribute the defeat OF Pres
ident Clevelandp
Primarily to his free-trsde message Even
The protective features of the Mills BILL and the
denial Of Democratic congressman that they
favored free trade could not overcome the shock
occasoned by the Presidents frank expression
of d. vic and
that tho tariff is only a tax. To borrow the DO
etic reference to our delightful climate from the
editorial page of to-days Constitution. there are
no butterflies on the Northwestern meadows 10
November but the intelligent farmer there ba:
his stock under cover, and surrounded by his
family at the Preside, rsads the fact that diversi
fed industry makes markets for his farm prod
uce and his vote follows his in teigent and we'll
informed judgment while We brood mis-
fortunes In the past and cover before I'm
aginary misfortunes in rhe future The bes
interest of the Georgia farmer is identical with
that of the Minnesota farmer, aud ours has the
advantage of the November butterfly. The
second reason for the Presidents defea
was his mispprehension of his duty in hoa rdinl
money in the treasury. The law requires ths
surplus to be used in canceling the public debt
The President persisted in piling it up In The
treasury TO the great injury OF the business O.
the country. These two mistakes OF the Presi
| dent united the agriculture the industry, anC
Il
We not been blinded--color- blinded-by on
| prejudice of caste on the negro question. thu
same elements in the South would have har
monized with those in the North"
what do you believe will be General Harri
sons disposition in national matters toward
| our sectionl7
| "As before, let me say. have no authority q
/ speak for General Harrison, and only give ex
/ preston to my own views. / believe he will b
| disposed to give 10 section every aid tba
| may properly como through federal authority
| Our natural resources aud opportunities are ric
| and attractive enough To command unlimite
private capital, now that such investments ar
safe from the danger Of free-trade legislation
But we need very liberal appropriations fror
the public funds TO improve and enlarge on
harbors and rivers, which have been neelects,
for a century-frst. because of the old stric
construction States rights theories, and later be
cause OF sectional Animosities. Bet