The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-06
THE GREAT PROBLEM.
HOW TO RECONCILE FAIR ELECTIONS
AND WHITE SUPREMACY.
Facts and Conclusions OF Col. Colyar, OF
Nashville-Dlrest consequences to Be
Apprehendedi II Fartisenship, Instead
OF Patriotism, Control.

The Hon. A. s. colyar IN the Commercial Gazette.
You may, or you may not, think it adj
visable to publish a communication em-
bracing the facts and conclusions which
shall give. But have read with the
greatest interest all you have said, and
what your reporters have gathered from
intelligent citizens, as 60 the policy to be
pursued toward the South by the Repub-
lican party again coming into power. liav-
ing voted for Mr.. Cleveland does not deter
me from offering my views TO Republican
paper on a question demanding for its So
luton the broadest craftsmanship. Judg-
ing by the press, the Southern question is
at the front again, and if partsans instead
Of patriots shall take charge OF il the direst
consequences may be apprehended. The
high character OF the President-elect rs
we'll as theintelligcnt comprehension OF the
subject by many Republicans interviewed
by you is evidence that 1t will DO dealt
with from n statesman's standpoint. Be-
fore we can know what TO do we must
know exactly what the question is.
The Republicans say that by emancipa-
ton the basis OF representation for the
lower house OF Congress, and for the Elec-
toral College, Is enlarged, 80 as 10 greatly
increase the power OF the South In con-
trolling the Government, and he further
says that while this increased representa-
ton is fixed by the emancipation OF the
slaves, tho Republican negroes ARE not al.
lowed TO vote, aud the entire added
strength goes TO tho Democracy.
lie says the conduct OF the white people
OF the South amounts TO r palpabe viola
tionn Of the Fifteenth amendment. The
Southern Democrat does not admit the
charge Of force to prevent the negro from
voting but he pleads in avoidance that in
the sections OF the South where negro
domination would prevail the people in
various WAYS subordinate and control the
negro in order TO maintain the supremacy
II the white race.
II Is not my purpose 10 discuss the facts
further than 10 say that in few instances
In the South violence has been used and
the negro kept from the polls, but in the
main, in the extreme South even, the SUI
premncy OF the white man, when the odds
have been against him, has been attained
without force. In most Of the Southern
States tho elections are rs fair as in Ohio
and Pennsylvania.
As u Southern man am not prepared 10
say that the issue raised by the Northern
Republicans, looking at IL from their stand.
point is unnatural or unreasonable; and
can see how, when the control OF the
law.making power OF the Government and
Of the Executive turns upon this pivot,
heintcnsc feeling may be cngendered. lam
not going 10 underate the argument which
the deyotces OF the fifteenth Amendment
make. This argument has been pressed
with great force by such men as Mr.. Sher-
man, and Il is familiar TO your readers.
by presenting the palliation for the
Southern people, which by analogy Is
their defense, propose 10 show what no
enlightened critic can disregard. What ]
want 10 do, II possible, Is TO show your
, readers that exalted slatesmanship and
mutual iorbcarancc can alone point the
way 10 solution.
None but the student of the races can
| approximate the magnitude OF the problem
| which the white people Of the South
found NJ their doors when emancipation
and political equalization between the
races became suddenly features of the
Government
No pen has vet written the desolation OF
the dominant race at that time For years
the cxtrcmest poverty was only obscured
by negro and carpci-bag domination. /
am prepared 10 state facts without
passion. Like all other men OF the
South who owned slaves, who knew theii
weaknesses, but witnessed their fidelity {,
home and family when the hour OF tria
came, am the everlasting friend Of Oh,
negro. In this am but a Representative,
Southern man. But friend as | am ~ the
negro, would dread negro domination IL
the State ~ | would plague that de
throned the intellect OF the aged an,
the young, and caused deprayiiy 10 reigI
supreme.
Tic south has seen in several Of III,
States negro domination. We know wha
Il is The negro rule in Mississippi an,
souih Carolina only emphasized what al
human experience teaches, that ignoFanc
and superstition in power must spcedil
produce revolution, Or the wont form O
nat onal humiliation and degradation
Taking the most conservative and Law
abiding view Of tiis question. will N
Northern people SAY that the negro rae
shall. under the Constitution, dominat
the white race In the South? Are the u,
grocs capable Of ruling2 Can amalram'
ton ~ social unity boforccd on the South
l. not hands oil 70 the only solution? u
our Northern friends appreciate the sintu
u tho Two Taocs7 Are they not stubborn
refusing - look nj these iacts2 Here
what SIR Lincoln said in 1858 ia the 4,
batc with Mr.. Douglass
while nj the hotel today an clderl
gentleman called upon me 10 kno
whether ! really was in favor u producln
a perfect equality between the negroes .li
white people. will say, thei
that am not. nor never have been In 4
vor 81 bringing about IN any way the focil
aud political equality 0i the white at
black raUua; that ] ana not, and never ha,
been, IN favor OF making voters and jufo
Of negroes, nor Of qualifying them 10 hol
office, nor 90 intermarry with white pc,
PIE. and | will EI In addition
this, that there arc physical dilIc
, cnccs between The white aud blar
: races which, / believe, will forever io
{ bld the two races living together on tern
Of social and political equality. An,
, | inmmuch ~ they cannot so live, viii
d they do remain together, there must |
{ tho position OF superior and Inferior an
2 !, M much as any other man, am Ia iay,
Of having the superior position assigned
!. the white facc. ] will aid tai
r that have never scon TO my knowlcdg
r q man, woman ~ child who WA in fay,
r oi producing a pctitcl equality, social m
, political, bctwoon ~ lrocs aud white met
| win adj one further wor
4 which IL this. uial ! DO not undcrsiaui
q that there Is any place where an altcalic