The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-06-19
EIl,ins and the Bloody shirt.


has been making an address before the lit
erary societies Of the university OF West
Virginia. 1t was in the nature Of po!itl-
cal speech, in that it dealt with the condi-
ton of the country, but it was pitched on
high--almost a patriotic--plane. There
seems to be great difference between Elkins
the partisan, and Elkins the philosopher. 1t
was Elkins the philosopher that delivered
the address at the university of West Vir-
ginia.
The result was that Philosopher Elkins
made some remarks that are not altogether
in accord with the republican plan OF cam
paign as developed by Editor Halstead, john
Sherman and other leaders of the party.
Philosopher Elkins takes a wholesome view
of the so-called negro problem. According
to his view, the government did all it could
do when it insisted that the states should
confer tho privilege of suffrage on the ne
grocs. 1t could not arm the race with in
telligence nor could it equip it in other ways
necessary to its welfare. Therefore, as
Philosopher Elkins puts it, the inevitable
result was that ignorance and poverty chad
to go down before intelligence and wealth,
Us it had always done the world over"
This might have been put more accurately,
but it will DO; nevertheless, it is well to re-
member that, while there vas plenty of in
telligence at the south, there wasa conspic-
nous lack Of wealth. Mr.. Elkins goes on
to say:
In theory and practice, in the interest Of the
heathful progress and purity of free government
NJ fg gtfq nm
be protected IN all his rights should be able to vote
us he desires and his vote should lie counted as
cast This cannot be denied. But TO attempt to
change the situation in the south by federal law
has not succeeded To try to effect it in the interest
of the black man by outside agitation has Iaoyen
useess SO long ms political parties dividai in
the south ON the lines they are, and the people,
both black and white, are made 20 believe every
thing del ends on the whites being in one party and
the blacks in another so long prejudice passion,
hate and revenge shall be encouraged 5y selfish
leaders for their own ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, tie situation
between the races in the south viii remain I'M
changed.
The true solution of this question win come when
both races divide on economic ana industrial ques-
tons and distribute themselves between tho two
great parties The black man win thcn have the
sympathy and support of his white neigbDoF, and
get all his rights under the law
This is pretty much what THE CONSTR
lion anu OLllOI hottt8Nli JtNAAieAa Ai"'S
been saying all along, but such views are
very far from receiving the approval Of the
republicans represented by Mr. Elkins when
he climbs down from the rostrum of the
university of West Virginia.
We quote the following passage from
Philosopher Elkins's speech:
Prejudice passion hate and revenge cannot live
forever, and no man should wish TO keep them
alive. upon no such foundation can anything good
OF lasting IN society or government be bult.
lis in the order of events in the path of certain
destiny that the people of M sections through the
whole country shall lie friends. Then LEI us wisely
anticipate the work of time and of oblivion and
the reconciliatons of our children by a few years
and be friends now. When the race question IN
the south shall be settled and shall be longer Tho
football OF politics the union will in the best sons(
| he restored
The people of the whole country win enjoy thai
| peace ana rerose, that friendly feeling and COOS
will for each other, which a'e so necessary 80 IL,
highest progress and the most permanent safety o.
! the union, and which they have not known FIJI
/ more than quarter OF u century. The puSsioul
born of the war, and y1ten kept alive for soldsl
purposes win then hr buried in tae sea that iyetl
| not UP its dead"
| Sectional differences ana antcgoaisms-alvats
menace and danger 80 the republc-wiu dsaupca
aud the words "sold south" aud united uorth'
| Will be known TO more forever.
This is very striking, but il will not b,
permitted to do service in the republican
plan Of campaign. There is too mach pa
triotism about it 70 suit the paliisans.