The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-19
Interesting Interviews With Lead
ing Southern Men.
Tho Opinions OF Governors Lee,
Buckner and Richardson.
1t Is Simply Matter of the Donai-
nation of Races
Whsthe the White Man or tho Negro
Shall Control Local Politics-They
Ask That the South Bo Not
Interfered with.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, April lS,-The In
quirer will publish tomorrow interviews
which 1t has collected with prominent men
and politicians OF the Southern States.
Only men well known in their sections
were applied TO- and TO these the following
questions were put
|. What is the Southern question?
9. How should it be met to produce tho
greatest good TO the South?
The idea of the Inquirer was TO obtain
the real viows Of Southern leaders upon q
subject which is becoming very promincns
The responses nearly all voice tho same
sentiment that the race problem is tho
great one to be solved, aud that tho South
should be allowed to manage her own af-
fairs without interference.
Following is u briei summary Of some Of
the opinions
GOV. MCHARpsoN,
OF South Carolina, says Tho Southern
question is The race problem. Shall the
African or Caucasian prcdominate2 Tho
solution IL in the strict avoidance by tho
General Government OF any distinctvely
Southern policy and in leaving 10 tho
States themselves tho management OF their
own domestic affairs.
GOV. LEE, oF VIRGINIA,
SAYS Two distinct races arc wrestling with
each other for political supremacy The
question is therefore whether the South
ern States and cities shall be retained in
the hands OF the white men or whether
there shall he war Of races. The pros.
perity-oi both races aud that OF the States
In which they live demands that each
| State should 30 allowed TO control It's own
Internal affairs without Federal interier-
encc, and 10 exercise those rights. re-
served with the great care OF the states,
| by the representatives OF those States who
framed the Constitution in the city OF
Philadelphia over hundred years ago.
GOV. BuCKSER,
Of Kentucky. suggests that there is no such
question. The NJ. called Southern question
seems TO be- hot-bcd plant OF Northern
growth, AN exotic which will not flourish In
| Southern soil Such unpatrioic sectional
agiiatons, whether originating In the
North or South, should not bc encouraged
by the people Of any section, and that In-
jury resulting from such agitations 10 tho
whole country would be reduced 10 a min
imum II the people OF each State would
| fnuAlnut W NihUu iiNtlN Ohu uINiin lA
accordance with their local constitutions,
and unite In supporting the general gov
eminent In lis ust exercise Of all It's lcgit-
innate powers.
A. ,. RUSSELL,
Superintendent Of Public Instruction OF
Florida, says as the question Is discussed
In Republican Journals he Is led 10 suppose
that somo special legislation is to be In
| l.. A...Nl. L. a
fear. II .ho question means how can the
southern people be made Republican, it
cannot be done. The truth il, the 20
called Southern question can best and
wiscst be answered by letting the South
alone In the enjoyment Of her conslitu-
tional rights.
OSCAR n. COOPER,
Superintendent of Public Instruction of
Texas, saws The difficulty OF the adjustment
Of tho relations Of the two races are being
met aud overcome by common sense.
TN. MILLER,
Attorney-Gencral Of Mississippi, says that
the contrast between the negro aud white
governments has been so decidedly in
iayor OF tho latter that the white men
are determined that thorc shall be no re-
turn Ia tho former. Indeed, a military
/ NfHIiuHlAiHlu NNhlu w IHfiNifNbs ~ ouE
political dominion IL nj all questionable
In it, rightiulnoss OF origin, let Il DO re-
mcmbcrrd that We view government hero
a. matter Of business, not glory, aud wo
protest against the negro, because We
know our State affairs are managed In tho
interest Of all. Wo say 10 the Republic
cans, take your new States and
keep control of the Government II
YOU choose, keen up scheme
of taxation revolving TO justice and
oppressive upon the agricultural sections
and We will submit chccriully; but don't
sot ignorance and vice TO rule over the
South. Lastly. when interest and Iudg-
ment, instead Of passion and prejudice
shall control tho Southorn negro; when
there shall DO freedom Of opinion among
them, then the whole question will DO
solved. Tho white people aro solid bo-
cause the negroes were solid against them.
W. r. Woodbury.,
State Treasurer Of Arkansas. thinks the
question can bo solved by rnmitting TO tbp
states chiefly affected all local subjects. the
Supreme Court OF the United States being