Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-05-02
THE NORTHWEST
THEY CAN SETTLE 1T.
THE SOUTHERN QUESTION DIS.
CUssED BY REPRESENTATIVE
SOUTHERN MIN.
The Negro in Politics Can Not Be Made
a Patriotic Factor by Sectional
AgItation-Givet the South
Chance.
FoE5ruIses and Burns.

i've the South
a Chance.
PHILADELPHIA, April 19.-The Phila'
delphia Inquirer publishes to-day in
terviews which it has collected with
prominent men and politicians of the
southern States. Only men we'll known
in their sections were applied to, and to
these the following questions were put
]. What is the southern question?
2. How should it be met to produce
the greatest good to the south?
The idea of the Inquirer was to OBJ
tain the real views of the southern lead
ers upon subject which is becoming
very prominent. The responses nearly
all voiced the same sentiment, that the
race problem Is the one to be solved,
and that the south should be allowed
to manage her own affairs without in
reference. Following is a brief sum-
mary of some of the opinions:
Gov. Richardson, of South Carolina,
says that the southern question is the
race problem. Shall the African OF
Caucasian predominate? The solution
is in the strict avoidance by the general
government of any distinctively south.
ern policy, and in leaving to the States
themselves the management Of their
own domestic affairs.
Gov. Fitz Hugh Lee, of Virginia,
says two distinct races are wrestling
with each other for political supremacy
The question is, therefore, whether the
southern States and cities shall be re-
tanned in the hands of the white men,
or whether there shall be a war OF
races. The prosperity of both races and
that of the States in which they live de.
mands that each State should be al
lowed to control its own internal af-
fairs without federal interference, and
to exercise those rights reserved with
great care to the States by the represen-
tatives of those States who framed the
constitution in the city of Philadelphia
over 100 years ago.
Gov. Buckner, of Kentucky, protests
that there is no such question. The so
called southern question seems to be a
hot-bed plant Of northern growth-an
exotic which will not flourish in south
ern soil. Such unpatriotic agitations,
whether originating in the north or
south, should not be encouraged by the
people of any section, and that injury
resulting from such agitations to the
whole country would be reduced to a
minimum If the people of each State
would attend to their own affairs in ac-
eordance with their local constitutions,
and unite in supporting the general
government In thejust exercise of all
its legitimate powers. "#t.f
A. J. Russell, superintendent of pub
lie instruction of Florida, says as the
question is discussed in Republican
journals he is led to suppose that some
special legislation is to be inflicted on
the south, but the south has no fear. II
the question means how can the south
ernr people be made Republicans, it can
not be done. The truth Is the so-called
southern question can best and wisest
be answered by letting the south alone
in its enjoyment Of its constitutional
rights. tltt@(1.
Oscar H. Cooper, superintendent OF
public instruction of Texas, says the
difficulties of the adjustment of the re-
lations of the two races are being met
and overcome by common sense.
Il. M. Miller, General of
Mississippi, says that the contrast be-
tween the negro and white govern
ments has been SO decidedly in favor of
the latter that the whole people are de-
termined there shall be no return to the
former. Indeed, q. military despotispa
wo0ld be preferred. IF our political
domination at home Is at all question
able in its rightful origin, let it be re-
membered that we view government
here as matter of business, not glory,
and we protest against interference be-
cause we know that our State affairs
are managed in the interest of all. We
say to the Republicans, take your new
States and keep control of the general
government, if you choose; keep up a
scheme of taxation revolving to Justice
and oppressive upon the agricultural
sections, and we will submit cheerfully;
but don't set ignorance and vice to rule
over the south. Lastly, when interest
and judgment, instead of passion and
prejudice, shall control the southern
negro; when there shall be freedom of
opinion among them, then the whole
question will lie solved. The white
people are solid because the negroes
were solid dagainst them. gr gs a.
The State Treasurer Of Arkansas, w.
f. Woodruff, thinks the question can
be solved by remitting to the States
chiefly affected all local subjects, the
Supreme Court 'ofa the United States
being the final arbiter.
George M. Adams, Secretary Of State
of Kentucky, says: "I am one of those
who believe in the right of the people
to regulate their own affairs In their
own way" 80, 'e.,
Solomon Palmer, superintendent of
education of Alabama, thinks the south
will work out the solution II left free to
do so.
Lieutenant iovernor IIauldin, of