New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-23
THE NEW SOUTH ON TRIAL.

Certainly, they are foolish, these stealers OF
| Southern seats in Congress. But lunaucs
sometimes burn down the houses over their
own heads These crimes and follies will
serve one good purpose; they help to convince
easy going, fraternay gushing and intellect
ually lazy citizens of the North what sort Of
loyalty there is in the Democratic party, and
what elections held in Southern States actually
mean. When the Democrats can get all they
want without robbery they allow votes to be
cast and counted. Otherwise not, in that Sec
ton.
1t will be Of inestimable advantage to the
country to have this object lesson, in regard to
the nature OF Democratic loyalty and of South
ern civilization, just at the time President
elected by the people is to take the place OF
Grover Cleveland, who was elected by South
ern fraud The entire policy of the President
elect and of the great and victorious party be-
hind him, will necessarily be modified to
considerable extent by this evidence "The
New South,' which has professed to desire fair
elections and genuine freedom and honest en-
forcement Of all laws, in order to attract i'm
migration and capital, has itself tested just
here, and behold, it tolerates thus far, for the
sake of party, not merely crimes against the
rights Of Southern people who may happen to
be of color formerly unconstitutional, and
therefore entitled to small consideration, but
also crimes by which the freemen of the en-
tire Northern States are to be robbed Of their
rights. That will be the record Of " the New
South if those infamieS in Virginia, West
Virginia, North Carolina. Tennessee and Ken
lucky are tolerated by Southern opinion.
Let there be fair warning, men of the South;
yen will be judged by the crimes against self
government which you permit. "Not your
personal business to stop them?' No. if you
are not essentially loyal citizens, it is not your
business to see that the laws of the country arc
honestly enforced. Decidedly nconvenient
and prejudicial to your business, and even dan
gerous to protest ?" All rights that explains
what the state of Southern society is to which
you invite Northern immigration and capital
Take notice that you, men of the South are
on trial. The country and the business men
of the civilized world will base verdict on
your own conduct. This robbery of seats,
which were at first conceded and which in
numerous cases were carried by Republicans
according to the official returns made by Demo
cratic officials, if it is tolerated by Southern
opinion will fix the character of the South in
the estimation Of decent, civilized and law-e-
specting people for long time to come. When
new investments are stopped and extension Of
loans is refused, and enterprise and skilled
labor retire from field in which there is no
civilized respect for laws, blame yourselves.
1t is not to be taken for granted that Repub-
leans will submit to be robbed. They have
sagacious leaders, and will presently have
President of courage and resolute loyalty. But
whether defeated or not, these Democratic
crimes will fix the character of the South, If
they are tolerated by the people of the South.
That is the matter for them to settle, before
the false and forged returns go on to Wash
ington. They will settle it according to the
measure of loyalty and civilization which ex
lists among them.