The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-06-17
REYIHIICAN AGGRESSION.

REPUBLICAN, AGtkESSiVN'
While the southern people are fully aware
Of the object which the Republican party
have in view in passing the proposed ma
ton election law, and while also alive 10
the dangerous and vexatious character OF
that measure in the form that ii is certain
10 be rushed through both houses OF Con-
gross nevertheless. they have not exhibited
rs yet rs deep concern about the WORKING
of that law in the Southern states as would
have been anticipated. IL may be That the
leading newspapers of the South, when re-
fleet the sentiment of the people of this Sec
ton. represent more distinctly the feeling
prevailing In the large cities where
they are published, than the feei-
ING 10 be observed in the country
districts. the inhabitants of the large cities
very naturally, not being as apprehensive
of the evil consequences TO flow from the
national election law as the inhabitants OF
the country where the great bulk OF the
black population is to be found. whether
this be correct or not, the southern people
expect only what is iniquitous from the Re
publican party, an expectation justified by
its whole course from the beginning OF its
existence. and they are therefore disposed
TO regard with more or less philosophy even
its most outrageous measures directed at
the Southern States as being precisely in
keeping with its character.
But the present attitude of the Southern
people toward the passage Of the National
election law probably has its principal eX-
PLANTATION in the firm belief which they
have in the material destiny of their sec
ton. The growth of the Southern States IN
wealth and population, which has been so
great in the last few years, must be wholly
Unprecedented in the course of the next de-
cade. A hundred laws enacted by the
Republican majority in Congress for the
undisguised purpose of placing the South
cru States under the heel Of the Republican
party, may impede that growth, but cannot
substantially and permanently obstruct it.
The waxing prosperity Of the southern
States is its most powerful bulwark against
Republican aggression, and that bulwark
will only increase in strength with the
lapse of each year. The Southern people
recognize this. They recognize that not a
mine is opened, not factory is built, not a
railroad constructed, not town founded
that the barrier against the tyrannical in
reference of the Republican party is not
rendered stronger and firmer.
Nature itself is in conspiracy with the
Southern people to disconcert the purposes
of this party with reference to the South.
Day by day and month by month large and
influential body of the Northern people are
joining in this conspiracy. Not dollar OF
Northern capital is invested in the South
that il does not constitute protest against
the passage of such measure as the Ma
tional Election law, and this protest will
grow louder and louder as Northern invest
ments in the Southern States increase in
volume. With all her elements Of natural
wealth being rapidly developed, with her
native and acquired white population in
creasing enormously in size, the South can
afford to regard with comparative indifler-
ence even the passage Of such laws, as the
National Election law. All the forces Of
the age are on her side in the contest with
the Republican party. The moral and eco
nomic forces Of the world are on her side
Civilization itself is her supporter. As
surely as civilization will conquer barbar-
ism, as surely as intelligence will govern
ignorance, just so surely will the South tri-
umph over all her enemies, and will emerge
sought TO shacklc her liberties and destroy
her prosperity.