The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-21
GEN. ROGER A. PRYOR
His Prediction Is To the South.
He Believes the Protection Doctrine
viii Break Its Solidity.
Provided Intelligence is Permitted
to Rule In the States.
A Sensational Interview With tho
Old Virginia Democrat.
His Prophecies Made with a Sublime
Disregard of the Facts, Though
Assuming to Know
the South.

NEW YoRK, March 20.-The New York
Herald contains the following
Born in the State which has been called
'the mother OF Presidents" for many
years editor Of the Richmond Examiner,
when II was the leading journal OF Vir-
ginia, and prominent public man in
close touch with tho people OF the South,
lifelong Democrat and brave soldier In
the mistaken battle for slavery and secos-
sion, no man living probably knows the
sentiment OF our Southern brethren better
than Gen. Roger A. Pryor. A man Of
ripe culture and long experience in public
life, his opinions upon politics in the South
are entitled TO respectful consideration.
Therefore. when CHANGED 10 meet Gen.
Pryor the other day very naturally asked
him what he thought, as a Southern man
and an old time Democrat, as to the future
of the South under the new Republican
Federal administration. lie said:
III make no pretension TO represent any
body, any section or person. only give
my one individual opinion, based upon a
pretty close observation Of politics for
forty years and on my knowledge Of the
South, my nativity and residence thorc for
thirty.seven years, and my knowledge OF
the North and residence here for twenty
three years. As TO the effect Of President
Harrison's election on the South can
judge only from his character and the de.
liyerance OF his inaugural address. take
II that he Is man OF cautious, conserya-
tive character, aud that from his ancestral
connection with Virginia he entertains no
feeling Of resentment or hostility 10 the
Southern people. Ills inaugural is sig.
niiicant In two important Particular
namely, an abstention from interference
with the race controversies OF tho South
and an avowed purpose 70 uphold the
policy OF a protective tariff rs against a
revenue tariff.
"lf he will conduct his Administration
upon these lines laid down In his inaugu-
raj, aud will appoint respectable characters
TO office In the Southern States, in my
judgment he will break up what is called
the solid South, and attach a very largo
proportion OF the Southern vote 20 the Re
publican party. Agnifst this tendency
and 20 counteract the confidence OF the
Southern people in the Republican party
will be opposed the influence. iirst, OF the
habit Of association with the Democratic
party, and second, the influence Of the
Democratic politicians who find their ac.
count in maintaining the solid South and
10 that end In keeping up the aniagonism
between the races
fnt, Nl.a nlh.r Huul Nla La nNu.u..a .....s
ating to detach the Southern people from
the Democratic party under the operation
OF the policy indicated are obvious aud DO.
tent The South is strongly Ia favor OF a
distinctly protective tariff Since the war
the manufacturing interests Of the South
have been developed with extraordinary
mpidity. These interests Of nasocnt man
nlacturcs require, in the conception Of the
southern people, for their exploitation n
high protective tariff"
WHY THE SOUTH WANTS PROTECTION.
"Do you think, General, that the South
wants protective tarin2'
"The South sccs In Ia manufacturing In
torcsts promise and the potency OF a new
and most hourlshing regime. The actual
indications Of public sentiment In the
South arc all In the direction Of protect
i've policy. | mean the sentiment Of the
people. Even In Texas, where there arc
no manufactures, the wool interest clam.
ors for protection. The mineral resources
OF Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama and othor
States also demand protection. Thon, too,
cotton factories aro rapidly spfinging up
In the cotton States. The combined effect
of these influences, | repeat Is 10 make
the Southern people tho champions Of
protective policy"
"Why has not this been manifested at
the polls in the late Presidential clcction2"
Hitherto this influence namely, the
protective policy-has not attracted tho
Southern people 10 the Republican party
because Of the paramount aud irresistible
apprehension Of the race conflict All ~.
sues In tho South are suborlinnted 10 the
supreme necessity OF keeping the educated
white classes la control Of the Govern
ments, and no long as there Is any menace
Of the ascendancy Of the ignorant colorcd
race tho apprehension Of that contingency
will keep the Southern people solid IN al
lance with the Democratic party. But
AZ soon as this fear Is dissi-
patod that moment the influence Of the
tariff will assert and display ibcll. II the
sole party issue before the people Of the
South bo a protective tAfill ~ against n
revenue tarin, they will support n
party which represents the cause Of pro-
lection"
you think this question will come TO
the front2"
III take II President Harrison intends
10 eliminate the race problem from poll
tics and 10 thrust forward protection as
the distinguishing policy Of his admins
tration. II ho do that aud shall at the
same time appoint in0hcnsyc men 10
Office In the South, no matter though his
appointccs be Republicans he will un.
doubiedly break up the solid South and
probably secure for his party majority oi
the electoral vote In the South.
TUE OLD wHiG PARTY
Another thing. The old Whig party
was before the war most respectable and
wcighty power In the South. Inc incm-
bers OF that party wero profoundly az,
tached 10 It's principles, its traditions ana
Us leaders. The dcaccndanb oi Us mem
bcu now on the stage have inherited the
principles and prgjudicey ol their ances,
tors, aud have slnco lhc w9r c0.opefatei
with the Democratic party reluctantly and
from sheer neccssliy--l mean the necessary
imposed by the danger ol negro suPrcni,,
acy.. That danger being removed lhis olu
WING element, still attached 10 thc prhel-
~ Id