The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1888-11-24
SATURDAY, NOV. "a, 1888
THE SITTI TTON IN THE SOUTH.

THE SITII TTON IN THE SOUTH.
Much speculation has been INDUCED
in since the election as to the probable
effects of it's result upon the future
welfare of the South. Thus far our
President elect has given 10 inkling of
what his policy will be towards the
South, and political prognosticators
have made all sorts of predictions as to
that pOlicy-some pregnant with the
hope of the dawn of Il new era, others
laden with dire forebodings and mis-
givings not altogether untounded.
With the reins of government entirely
in the hands of the. Republicans. that
party of sectionalism and hatred to the
South, it is impossible to tell at this
early day what measures will be
adopted towards the South, unless
they be such las in the past) as are in
imical to her material interests. The
Solid South has for MAN. years been
the betc noire of the Republican party.
1t first drove the South into its solid
arity us IL matter of self defense
against its outrages and oppression,
and then, childlike, fumed and fretted
because the South remained solid. 1t
may now mollify, perhaps break up,
the Solid South by the adoption and
pursuance of Il friendly and cpncilia-
tory policy, founded Il the idea of
home rule and self government, free
from and untrammcllcd by Federal in
reference, and by discardin. section
alism and rising to the dignity of il
truly national party in its ideas and
tenetS.
Such Il conrse reason would seem to
dictate to any party. and with much
more force to one which. like the Re-
publican party, met with defeat four
years ago OIL account of its very Sec
tiOnalism with which the people had
grow tired. And such ii course would
be adopted if Il certain few thoughtful
and patriotic Republican leaders would
have the shaping of their party's
future policy. But there is little hope
that the counselS of these few conserva-
tive leaders will prevail.
The Republican party is 10Y under
the influence of the Blaine element,
and that, il we may judge men by their
past record. means nncompromising
hostility to the South. The Planned
Knight of Maine is still smarting under
the sting of his defeat of four years
ago, and certainly the role played by
the South in that memorable contest
has not served to placate his wrath
against the Solid South. He may not
go into the Cabinet. but his sinister
influence will be felt all the same in
the councils of his party, and it would
seem nothing short of folly to expect
it to be excrted in behalf Of the South.
This is IA doleful view of the situa-
ton, but it seems the only. one war
rantcd by the circumstances. We hope
it may yet prove too pessimistic, and
that we may i'll the near future awak-
ell to the glad realization that we are
now egregiously mistaken.
Louisiana has much to fear from the
enmity of the Republican party. He,
dearest interests are seriously men
aced and it may be difficult to thwart
the blow aimed ut her. Should it fall
upon her, general ruin will result. 1t
may be possible to rise again from the
wreck, but it will be at Il serious cost
Of capital and labor. Let us hope for
the best and stand OIL guard and pre-
sent Il united front in defence of our
dearest interests.