The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-30
HoNoRINa SOUTHERN CHARACTER.

OA NAO ANHOllllOl 10 liz
vestigate certain Southern elections Sena.
tor Hoar responded to Senator Daniels;
and we copy as follows from his speech:
II believe these two races can live to-
gether IN peace, in affection, in glory, as
neighDors, as brethren, as equals-divid-
ing among the political parties which ex-
Isl IN TINS country as the people OF tho
white race have done.
Mr.. President, | do not expect these
remarks to be so received, but | make
them IN no spirit OF hostility; ] make them
with a full knowledge OF the difficult
problem that awaits us, and the problem
that especially concerns our friends south
oil Mason's and DiXon's line; but | re-
member when | make them that the per-
son hears the sound of my voice this mo-
ment, who in his lifetime will see 80, 0O0,-
ooO negroes dwelling in those States. II
You 20 on with these methods which are
reported to us on what we deem pretty
good evidence, you are sowing in the
breast OIL that race aseed from which is to
come a harvest OF horror and blood.
we desire, those OF us who live in the
North, 10 do everything that we can to
help you II you will only accept our help
and not spurn it. We will pour Il our
money like water; you may tax Us by the
ten million, or the hundred million, or the
thousand million, il il is needed, to give
these people the intelligence and educa-
ton which IL necessary 10 III them 10 live
with you as citizens.
81 know, too, when | say these things,
that l am saying them Of my countrymen.
j am saying them OF men with as gallant,
noble and honorable traits, where this
race prejudice does not get possession Of
their souls, rs ever existed on tho face OF
the earth. They have some qualities
which l cannot even presume 10 claim in
an equal degree for the people among
whom | myself dwell. They have an apt.
ness for command which makes the South
ern gentleman, wherever he goes, not a
peer only, but a prince. They have a love
OF home; they have, the best OF them and
The most OF them, inherited from the
great race from which they come,
the sense OF duty and the instinct
OF honor rs no other people on the face Of
the earth. They are lovers OF home.
They have not the mean traits that grow
up somewhere in places where money
making is the chief end OF life. They
have, above al and giving value TO all,
tina supreme aud superb consistency which,
without regard to personal ambition, with
out yielding TO the temptation Of wealth,
without getting tired, and without getting
diverted, can pursue a great public object
III and out, year alter year, and generation
after generation.
SIN the great future which the 100, O1O,-
COO and the 200, 200 who are 10 inhabit
and rule this continent are TO enjoy, the
greatest and the most glorious part, my
brethren, is TO be acted by YOU. But | do
not believe IL is agood thing that n genera
tiou OF young men anywhere shall be
brought up TO believe that the election
methods which we hear OF and know OF,
are honorable or reputable. However that
may be, let us know the facts"
The generous terms In which the Massa.
chusetis Senator speaks OF Southern men
and Southern traits can but temper aspcri.
ties aud plant the bud OF hope in the most
respondent For In the grateful light his
eloquent language sheds we see that I'M
derneath the distorted and rcpellcnt sur
Taco Of sectional politics there flows a broad,
warm current OF national life and brother
hood; under It's outer skin are sinews that
knit and strengthen the bonds OF unity
and kinship II Mr.. lIoar, for whose
manhood and integrity OF purpose We have
always entertained and expressed the
highest respect, would only be Just ~ well
as generous; II he would 'pluck the mote
from his eye" that he might more truly
understand and see the 'beam in his
brothers" he would know that We are
dealing with our hard condition as best
we can. As Mr.. Daniel, In his graceful
acknowledgment Of his adycrsary's trib-
ute. said:
"The Senator has expressed 80 many
noble sentiments In his speech, with such
tasteful e%loquence and with such n high
appreciation Of those with whom | am
more nearly identified, that | could but
forgive him ere he got through for what
he said In the beginning, and ! could bat
feel thai in any argument | might submit
| was appealing 10 n mind which was not
only capable OF justice, but which on some
sides Of il would be quick 20 respond 10
generosity.
This query occurred 10 me when | heard
his eulogy upon the character Of Southern
men, their love OF home, their sense Of
honor, their consistency and devotion TO
duty. | wondered whether the Senator
would not add the additional reflection
that men OF such character and such in
t~elligence, aud Of such q sense Of honor,
right present with n question and dealing
with Il, were perhaps ~ well aware of the
facts concerning II aud were as competent
10 Judge Of the methods by which il could
be dealt with as a Senator'S thousand miles
away"
In his argument against the constitution.
ality OF the contemplated process, his eta.
tons Of authority, Mr.. Daniel was strong
II not incontroycrtiblc. But granting the
partisanship OF the proposition, It's inigs.
ticc aud unwisdom, would IL not be better
practice TO waive our position aud acqui-
csce In It's enactment II would. We be-
lieve, be wise and polite 10 throw wide
open our doors, and place neither lot nor
hindmnce between investigation, broad
and searching, and our clusetcd skeletons
Opposing investigation seems oyasiyc
aud directs controversy upon n false issue;
the existence or the non.cxistcncc OF our
methods" This Is the opportunity OF
parlisana. The real issue Is whether our
methods are, a. Senator lIoar believes. Tor
the mere maintenance OF Democratic "a.
premacy, OF, as We claim, essential and In
~dispensable 10 order aud civilization; that
repulsive aud Rbhorrcnt ~ they arc, they
arc less 40 than their alternative. This u.
sue we can only win by the cooperative
intelligence and patriotism Of both parties,
and tho first step 10 this end is 10 prove
our elise, 10 make plain that no other
course il left ~. The lines Of our poliii.
cal destiny are all hard; but the long strife
and resistance against these inycstigat ons,
the interference OF Federal authority has
been futile, and We tayor giving Il the rein
to run is course
~Ex.Empre-s E~uEcnie's Revenge.