The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-03-19


why was not the effect of this tendency
displayed in the recent electionp
Because it was arrested by the appre-
hension of the necessity OF preventing ne
gro ascendency. Being secure. as they
thought, under a Democratic administra-
ton and being doubtful of the policy of a
Republican administration, the people of
the South yielded to the stronger interest
and so supported the Democratic candi-
date. In my opinion, if they had been as
sured that no danger of negro ascendency
was involved in the election of Harrison
he would have carried several Southern
States.n
II have always understood that Virginia
was the headquarters of the Southern free
traders. Is it possible, General, that Vir-
gina is for protectionW
True, Virginia was, in times past. the
stronghold of free trade, but under the new
regime her people have indicated uniform
~ preference for the protective policy.
They so declared In the Democratic plat
form adopted at Roanoke, two years ago,
and by the refusal of their Legislature to
indorse Cleveland's so-called free trade
message although in that Legislature the
Democrats were Overwhelmingly In the
majority"
1T has always been believed by many of
us, here at the North, that the South re-
garded her agricultural interests as para
mount, and that for this reason, if for no
other, she was committed to the Democratic
party and free trader"
1.-The effect of the war involving the abo-
lition of slavery and SO destructive Of the
labor system of the South Frustrated the
agricultural interests of that section utter
ly, and then the attention of the Southern
people was drawn to other sources of
wealth. They have at hand the cotton
crop-the raw material of cotton manu-
features. They have inexhaustible water
power IN proximity to this raw material,
they have an inexhaustible supply of the
cheapest labor, and with these obvious adj
vantageS they think they can successfully
compete with the manufacturers of Con
necticut and Massachusetts. Meanwhile
the discovery of the richest coal and min
erai deposits in Virginia, Alabama, Georgia,
Tennessee and other Southern States in
vited Southern enterprise to the develop
mert of those resources, and for that mat
ter may add Northern capital and enter
prise too.
$50 it has come to pass that the manu-
featuring interest at the present moment is
the most busy and flourishing of any in the
South. Louisiana, by reason of its sugar
interest, always favored protection, and
South Carolina because of it's rice crop is
similarly affected. In consequence of the
superior resources, advantages and facili-
ties of the South for manufacturing, look
to see much of the manufacturing capital
and enterprise of the North transferred to
the Southern States. There could be no
stronger influence operating to efface the
prejudice entertained at the South against
the Republican party than. this influx of
Northern capital and people. All that is
requisite now since the disappearance of
slavery to make the American people one
homogeneous whole is that they shall know
each other, and know each other by their
acquaintance with the best classes of their
respective communities. These classes from
the North are rapidly appearing in the
South, and so the process of assimilation
between the sections is going on apace."
But will not other issues probably di
vide parties and so prevent the effect you
indicate of the protective policy of the new
administration"
Il think not. In my Judgment, the one
issue of 1899 will be between the Demo-
cratic doctrine of tariff for revenue and the
Republican doctrine of a tariff for protec-
tiOn-the former preventing accumpta tions
in the treasury, the latter allowing Sccumu-
latiOns and expanding them in education,
internal improvements and the stimulation
OF foreign commerce.
You must remember that from 1913 until
1860 the one issue that divided parties was
of slavery, that question disappeared. Then
from 1865 to 1880 the dominant question be-
tween the parties was the federal relations
and policy, toward the Southern States.
The signal benefit rendered by the Cleve-
land administration was that it eliminated
federal Intervention with the Southern
States from party politics and pacitied the
two races in the South and established the
autonomy of the Southern States. Thus,
you will see, none of the old issues which
prevailed and distinguished the past since
1913 are now alive and operative, and that
the only present party issue is that of pro-
lection.
"Of course, it is conceivable that some
complication in our foreign relations, for
example a quarrel with Germany over the
Samoan islands, might suppress any do
nestle problem of politics. But you will
observe that the tone of President Harri-
augural is high and firm, asserting dis
tinctly the interests and the purpose of the
American Republic to maintain its power
I mean a firm attitude toward foreign ma
tons and purpose to, maintain the
on the American cOntinent-has always
been extremely popular with the people OF
the South, as shown by their defiance of
Great Britain in 1912, their clamOr for war
with Mexico later, and their occasional
tilibustering expeditions against Cuba and
Central America.
Hence infer that President Harrison's
foreign policy will reinforce and strength
en- in the South the tendency to support
him there which is put in operation by the
causes have described"
rs the craftsmanship in the South
adequate to. grasp this new situation as
you picture itP'
"As have said, the Democratic poll
ticians will resist the result contemplate
Among them are not many men of liberal
and enlightened ideas. The able states
men In the South who Hourished before the
war-and their ability was universally
acknowledged-have vanished from the
stage and as yet are not replaced by men
of equal capacity. But new generation
is coming to the front whose bosOms are
purged of the passions of the past, who are
taught by necessity the supreme Importance
of material interests and who will fully CO.
operate with that party, whichever it be,
that promises most for the advancement
and enrichment of the South. Heretofore
the genius of Southern craftsmanship has
displayed itself chiefly in oratory. But now
it is prosiac and practical, reaching out for
commonplace and tangible results.
'Yes, look to see men coming to the
surface in the South who will adequately
grasp its true policy, and who will give
voice and effect to the prevalent and un-
doubted ideas and feelings of the mass of
the people. In my Judgment, President
none of his predecessors, except Washington
and glory of the country. And If he will
only rise to the level of the occasion and
be guided by q single .solicitude for the
welfare of the country his administration
will be illustrous IN American history"
1.-THE basis of your argument is that the
non-interference of President Harrison
with the Southern States will enable the
white men to retain their control OF the
State governments. As in several States
the whites are in the minority and the
negroes in the majority how can this al
ways be accomplishment
THE world over the combined wealth,
education and political experience of a