The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-05

prehension which this awakens through
out the South begets distrust which w.
be felt and somewhat initiate against our
present great material progress But
whichever course General Harrison takes,
whether conservative or radical, he never
can make any policy successful in break
ing up the solid South MS long MS tho
negro constitutes nine-tenths OF the Repub-
lican voters therein"
"Then you do not believe the solid South
will ever divide?'
There is but one way to break it, and
the Republican party will be convinced Of
that before the end OF HarrisoD's admins
tration. That way is TO completely elimi-
nate the negro from politics.
"How can this be done2"
"By an amendment TO the Federal con-
stitution limiting suffrage 10 white men
twenty-one years old and upward"
do you think that practicable"
IF il were TO originate with the Repub-
leans, and any considerable number of
the States North would favor 1t, it would
be perfectly practicable, for am satisfied
that every Southern State would ratify
such an amendment. These white people
know by years OF experience that negro
suffrage is failure and an element OF eter-
nal discord, corruption and degradation.
They would willingly surrender their in
| creased representation to get rid OF this
menace to their civilization"
"Do you favor this?'
"If it were question before my State l
certainly would, because believe it would
be advantageous to both races. The white
men in the South do differ, but the pres
ence OF the eternal negro, menacing their
common interests, forces them into one
party. With the negro out, they can think
for themselves and divide on questions OF
politics without loss Of selfirespcct, or tlAN
respect and confidence of their neighbors.'
When the negro is eliminated from poll 1
tics then the people OF the South can
think and vote for their convictions, and
then there can be a Republican party in
the South. The Democratic party in the
South is composed Of old Wings and Dem-
ocrats, aud II the negro il DISTINGUISHED
they will again divide. The cniranchise-
ment OF the negro has been no practical
benefit to them, but q source of irritation
TO the white people. II they were disiran-
chised, better and friendlier relations
would exist between them aud the
whites. j have been raised among
negroes and have been well acquainted
with them all my life. | would ike
TO sec them prosperous and happy, aud
from my life long acquaintance and close
observation, and study OF their situation
and characteristics, | fully believe that
their Acknowledgement which would re.
move all friction between them and the
WI ties would contribute more to their
material, intellectual and moral progress
than any one thing that could be done for
them. | am quito assured that 1t would
be good thing for the entire country"
Don't you think the ballot necessary
to protect them in their rights OF person
and property
81 do not. The women and minors and
aliens in this country are as fully protected
in every State OF the South in person, rep
utation and property rs any Of the voters
are. Suffrage is not natural right. but
a conventional right conferred by law"
"iIow many majority will the Repub-
licans have in the next House?"
Not exceeding three or four"
''Do you apprehend any harmful legis-
la,ion toward the South2'
mo. Not that don't believe II will DO
attempted, but because their majority will
be 50 small that by the Democrats cau.|
cussing and acting in conjunction We cSn<
prevent H."
GLOW is that?'
"Simply by abs,aining from voting in|
such questions. Their majority is 50 small
that you viii never iind quorum OF them
present. We all know that II possible
they will scat the Republican contestee in
every contested election case where there
Is any appearance Of merit whatever in
the case. My plan 10 prevent this Is for
the Democrats TO act in concert and alb
stain from voting In all contested cases
unless II Is clear that the Republican.
I Il. a =
the general belief, YOU will ind that their
majority will be very little greater on the
closing day Of the Fiity.int Congress than
on Monday next"
"who do you think they viii olcct
Speaker"
IL don't know. but hope II will DO
Bultcrworth, as he, in my opinion, Is the
iairost minded and most thoroughly CON-
pelent man for the speakership on the