The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-05-22

The New York Mail and Express, which
is one of the ablest of the republican news
papers, has been trying of late to get its
party to abandon the bloody shirt issue. 1t
has pointed out the fact that there are more
wholesome issues to discuss and more vital
questions to decide-more vital, that is 10
say, SO far as the south is concerned.
But the Mail and Express has apparently
failed in its efforts. Senator John Sherman
Is stll rank in his remarks, and Editor Hal
stead tries 10 make his howls heard from
one end Of the country TO the other. The
Mail and Express, perceIying that the dis
cusson OF this issue is inevitable, turns its
fiery eyes on The CONSTITUTION, and re-
marks in stentorian tones that there is moth
Ing in such an issue TO bother the south.
Here Is what il says:
II Is true that the pressure Of the whole power Of
the executive has compel led some Of tie southern
newspapers that represent 'the new south" 20 make
The race issues predominant. and that while they
that Mr.. Cleyolaud's free trade policies would
bring disaster to their region they must keep up
"solid south for seGproiection against vague and
Imaginary dangers from colOred voters.
But these newspapers give no reasons for the wild
and haseless npprehensons of race troubles from
republican rule, There are reasons to give
Every well informed southern man knows that a
republican president and republican congress
would bring no real pcris TO the peace OF the south
But party emergencies and discipline have com
PEELED an apparent approach TO democratic hamo-
NY In the soush and able journals in that region are
forced 10 stul themselves by false prctenSeS about
republican sentiments aud intentions toward the
colored voters They pretend to see or fear the
"wayng Of the bloody shirt in the north, as pre-
text for their temporary surrender of the most vital
Interests of the south.
"They pretend to see or fear the waving
Of the bloody shirt at the nor h." This is
very fine indeed-in fact, 1t is excellent.
Why should southern paper "pretend" to
see what the Mail and Express has been
deploring for several months past? Why
should southern paper pretend to fear
q renewal of the campaign of sectionalism
which the Mail and Express has been vainly
arguing against? We quote further from
our esteemed contemporary:
Yet THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION which has iojn
ed in this surrender ana which talks wildly about
the dangers of negro supremacy" in case OF re-
publican success gives away IFS entire case so fnr
as Georgia is concerned when il saws that in Geor.
Ola where the negro is forging ahead us rapidly in
ali directions as any race did in the history of
the world, he votes rs he pcaSes and If he doesn't
please he stays at homo. There is no republican
organization in this state ami The negro is no longer
the subject OF the secret and midnight dnn. Re
pubicans put forward few or NJ candidates and the
negro voter is left pretty much 10 his own devices
81 far as voting is concerned He is not born poli-
tciau, and he docsu bother himself with politics
60 any great extent"
TllE CONSTITUTION certainly has no occasion To
lay awake nights tor fear OF republican intorven.
zion IN favor Of NEGRO rule in Georgia, if half
that y says IS true, And when 1t says that the
republicans are making the southern negro ~ part
OF their bloody shirt issue, II ARRAYS n spcctre of
It's own creation. IN order 70 Justify its sudden
abandonment Of the economic issues that the real
and pressing and dominant
In response To this. we may say that THE
CONSTITUTION has not by any means ahan-
doned the economic views which ii has been
pressing on the attention of its readers for
some years But our experience with re
publican rule in the nation and negro domi.
nation in the south conylnces us that DEM
oeraiic harmony and democratic success are
more important in this section than any
economic question that is only in shape for
discussion.
Whether the Mills bill, as it is, or as IL
will be amended, will hurt the south is n
question, but there is no question as 10
whether republican success and an attemn,
~ negro domination Is the south would hurt
ms section. The rccoasuuaaan period has
left very bad taste .n the mouth, aal Il is
. taste that cannot bee forgotten.
As to the result Of republican success. We
cannot say. We know what the rcsutt If
tina, success was once ON a t.uc. and that is
enough. The economic questions which
are interesting the Mall and Express may
be very important, but thoS are not as i'm
pof'9nt 70 the south as the success pf the
semocrstc party.