San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-12-27
AN INTERESTING PROBLEM.

| The intrinsic interest which is De-
| ing taken in the south concerning
the make up OF President Harrison's
cabinet does not assume the PARTISAN
ship of feeling, nor the distrust of
mind which has so frequently and al
most universally characterized the
south since the reconstruction period.
The views of prominent gulf state re-
publicans are consulted by the south
ern leaders and great prominence
given them in the public press as pos
sibly indicating what sentiment ON
the part of southern republicans will
animate their communications to the
presldent-elect and color his own
views of the situation. The principal
demand made by the gulf state repub-
licans at least outside of Texas, and
quite largely within, 1t is not that
any distinct southern policy shall be
pursued, but rather a general policy
in which the south shall not be treat
ed as an exception. No men know
more fully than unbiased, open
minded southern republicans the
extreme delicacy of the situation and
they only ask that its peculiarities be
considered by the incoming executive
and that only the very best men of
the south shall be chosen to repre-
sent the party in the federal appoint
ments. Mr.. Hero, prominent repuh
lican of New Orleans, in recehS
Washington interview is reputed as
saying:
II think there is to be new repub-
lican leadership in the south, new
and in every way worthy. The inn
preston prevails, L know, that the
republican leaders in the extreme
south are all men who stand dis
graced at home, because of acts COM
mitted during the days of reconstruct
ton and, therefore, without the abili-
ty to command the esteem and CO.
| operation of their neighbors. That is
very grave :ror. There is very
| large number of men In the gulf
states who represent the character
and culture of their home communi-
ties, willing and anxious to assist in
building up a party whose shibbo-
leth is Protection These men have
been republicans and they are cour-
ageously in line now and should be
sustained in their efforts to give the
party definite and distinguished
local standing. 1 think Gen. Harri-
son understands the needs of our Sec
ton, and when he comes to act he
will, in every way, prove himself
equal to the emergency"
1t is on this that the hope of the
south depends. A knowledge of the
situation by President Harrison and
such selections of men as will give the
republican party credit at home and
local standing that cannot be i'm
peached on the question of appoint
ments. This will 60 great way to-
wards easing the public mind, the DEM
ocratic mind of the south, and facing
the new administration towards a sue
cessful calculation of the southern
problem with the confidence of the
great masses of the southern people
fully settled as to its fairmindedness
and conservatism. The extreme sem
sitiveness of the southern feeling
will make the adjustments difficult,
for the infractions of law by which
voters in national elections, for ma
tional representatives and for presi-
dent and vice-president, have been
practically deprived of their suffrage
rights will not be suffered, and any
attempt to enforce that law will be
deemed oppressive. Then again the
ingram jealousy of the southern re-
publican leaders of the present in the
south will only enhance the diff
culties of the situation. Mr.. He1o's
idea that there will be new republic
can leadership in the south is very
probably correct. Ifthe old jealousies
can only die by shelving the leaders
among whom they are engendered,
then by all means shelve the leaders
and give the south new chance by
making a new deal.