The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-06
HARRISON AND THE SOUTH.
The southern situation Described
Views of u south Caroiinian.

Views of u south Caroiinian.
GRgENviLLR, s c.
To the Editor Of Harpers Weekly
You recently printed letter / had the
honor to receive from Prcsident-elect llar-
rison, and spoke briefly Of the indications
that letter gave OF the policy likely to be
used in the southern States by the next
Administration. ask Of you the oppor-
tunity to put before tho thoughtful and
conservative people among whom your
journal goes some facts which are generally
unknown or forgottcn:
There is Southern situation" an all.
normal, unusual political condition, de-
manding from wise craftsmanship political
methods different from those used In other
parts OF the country where the conditions
are natural and wholesome. The South
was the scene OF one Of the most sudden
and violent revolutions in history. Within
five years rich and arrogant people was
made poor and beaten, aud millions OF
men who had been held by those people
as slaves were made irecmcn aud voters
aud the political rulers OF their former
masters. The statement of the event must
carry with II conviction that IL left distor-
lions on the surface and dangers beneath
II, rs surely rs "A volcanic explosion must
leave earth cracks above aud heat below.
More by the teachings Of instinc, and the
guidance of nature than by definite plan
or with purpose, the Southern people have
10 degree restored tho conditions 10 vio-
/ lently reversed. The whites, owners OF
the soil aud property. descendants of gcn.
era,ons OF freedom and civilization, again
rule, aud the negroes, newly freed slaves,
representing only muscular labor, aud de.
bFcendanis OF generations OF barbarism and
slavery, are again ruled. llercdity has as.
serted its power.
These two races are on the same terri.
tory, nominally the same people, with legal
| rights aud positions in all respects equal
with the color line dividing them polit.
ically and socially. The mass Of the negro
race in the South Is composed OF farm and
day laborcrs, whose Intelligence varies
over a scale from that OF the average white
mechanic TO barely perceptible remove
| from actual barbarism.. They are all Re.
/ publicnns. They believe the Republican
party made them free; they know the little
lease Of political power that they had was
under the patronage Of the Republican
party, and in that party X their only hope
OF return TO power They also know that
the white men who fought TO keep them
/ IN slavery, aud who have taken their
power from them, arc called Democrats
They know nothing oi political creed-,
| principles and platforms, or Of the chamc.
ters or purposes OF candidates, and care
nothing for them. They reason by what
they see and know within their own oh.
seryntion, aud from their point OF view
they reason properly and wisely. Much
more wisdom and intellectual trimming
than they have is required 10 induce men
10 accept the belief that power Is some.
times curse TO its posscssor. Tho more
intelligent, educated and wcll-lo-do negroes
are naturally in sympathy with their
race. Aside from that, the moro highly
developed the cOlorcd man H., the more
bitterly he must chafc under the rcsiric.
tons put upon him by the enyeloping
conditions Every hour Of the day he has
TO realize that he Is thought Of ~ an info.
fior by the poorest white man he meets.
Merchandise, independent manufacture,
law and medicine are closed against him,
because the patronage of his own race IL
rarely enough TO support him in any Of
them. His social life Is confined 90 those
he feels 10 b. beneath him, or 10 tho very
small circle Of his race equal 10 him in
requirements His resentment against
tho race holding itself above him, aud
Keeping him down while he feels the
power and impulse 10 rise, intensiiics the
tendency created by ins.nct aud itcrcst 10
stand with his color. 10 look 10 il and the
Republican party for the iullllmcnt Of his
hopes and ambitions.
How Il II with the white man2 lie may
be descendant Of old Wing or Foderalisi
stock. all his impulses and opinions mas
be with the Republican party and is pfin.
ciplcs; yet u he votes the Republican
ticket and becomes a member OF the 10
publican party In the South, he u part o
and helping an organization the local bulb
and strength Of which is tho unpasoning
ignorant, irresponsible negro vote. H.
cannot know who will direct that vote Of
receive is power In municipal, State, Of
district politics, but lac knows the chance
will always favor the most interruptions
cunning and reckless leader, the man VIII
will promise most to people unable I,
measure promises, aud pandcr most dill
gently 10 prcjudicus whore they are mos
easily aroused. II violent domagogu,
can sometimes carry with him hosts o
I your reading, thinking, seli.rospeclinI
, Northern working people, what can Ice no
| 90 Win HutU uNfflal W it VIII HhNt "
work with here? Let Il be rcmcmbcrc1ih
this Is not theory. In some States Of ia,
South the Governments fcslingo on the soil,
: negro vote In a short time piled up Blondes
! debts, for which there was no Occnsiol
} or actual return, which We will not linisl
. paying in twenty years In som
, the militia companies, fully armed an
: equipped, were composed entirely q
! negroes, subject 10 be inllamcd 10 an
4 airocity by accident or design, incapabl
]. Of understanding the results OF their owl
Y acts, no more ft 20 b. trusted wit
/ weapons than 10 many children. Thcs
n are serious facts and contributions wit
@ the Southern white man. They inyoly
1 his business, his tax rates, the develop
i mcnt u his country, aud The peace an
n safety Of lss family They not only kee
= him away from tho Republican party the
Q keep him inside the Democratic organic
o ton ~ the one power between his stat
q and black rule, aud make him ~ much III
u servant OF that organization, and
, prompt aud jealous ~ action with H.
:, utterly declared from freedom OF thougl
II aud act az II he was soldier Of IN arm
IL marching Though a hostile country
y Tho white pcu ylo and the Democrats
r the south ,re a. eager as any lor the roll