The Charlotte Democrat., 1890-07-04

A Southern Man for President.
The New York Herald, in an editorial
which speaks of the late war as the IRE
belIion," declares that the ablest leaders
Of the Democrats are Southern meD, and
asks why the convention should not take
one OF them as the Presidential nominee.
The answer it proceeds TO give is that
there sis the cowardly fear that if any
one of twenty brilliant and conspicuous
Southern men should be taken, the 'Rally
Round the Flag Marching Through
Georgia. John Brown business would
be revived. The old soldier would come
TO the front and the calm political judg-
ment of to-day would be overcome by the
smoulderiDg fires Of war-like passions"
But the Herald says this apprehension
is grouudless "The American people
want q chance to vote tor the best Demo
crat among Democrats or the best Repub-
lican among Republicans, and what part
either candidate may have taken in the
rebellion will have no effect upon their
Judgment. The Southern Democrats are
foolish if they do not insist upon political
rights which have too long been neg
lected."
The section which gave birth to Wash
son, Tyler, Polk, Taylor, Harrison and
Johnson has to-day abundant Presidential
material, and would be very happy in-
deed to offer it to the National Demo
cratic Convention if it thought the public
mind of the North had arrived at that un-
preudiced position with regard to the
character and political platform Of man
fhon ha
which he halls.
Has the time arrived for presenting the
name of Southern man? Is there any
proof that the people who live beyond the
bounds of the late Confederate States of
America have 80 subjugated their fear Of
"rebel supremacy" as to make it worth
while to consider the Herald's sugges
tion?
We remember very well that all ap.
pointments by President Cleveland of ex-
Confederates to high Office was the signal
for torrents of denunciation. The Re-
publicans assailed him from every stump
and from every press they could control,
and not seldom Northern Democrats sup
posed it would be unpopular to defend
him. Yet there is scarcely an instance
where the Presidents appointee was not
worthy and whose selection would not
have been approved by the Northern
public had he not been a "rebel."
We truly believe that determination OF
the sections is proceeding rapidly. Upon
the whole, greater speed could not have
been expected, because it was so difficult
to make q start. Northern and Southern
men are thrown together so often in bust
ness affairs nowadays they are rapidly
learning to know each other better and
form more accurate judgments than ever
heretofore. IN this direction the work is
proceeding quite satisfactorily. But look
at Congress. What do we see there
Do you notice any sign of abandonment
of sectionalism in politics? Do you OBJ
serve any consideration for the feelings
Of the Southern people ? Is it not the
fact that in the unseating of our members
and in the framing of the election bill the
majority have proceeded as if determined
to "rekindle the smouldering fires of war
like passions" and goad US to political
madness?
If the Herald be in earnest let it cult
vate in the North a more liberal senti
ment.
As long as it speaks OF our war as re.
bellion it sets US down as rebels, and that
ls term That, at times, CRATES very
harshly upon our ears but it depends q
good deal upon how, where, aod by whom
It is used.
We believe the Southern Democrats un.
derstand the situation.
They will not act upon the suggestion
OF the Herald at present, bnt after awhile
when the happy time comes-which the
Herald now sees, though we do not-we
will, upon due consultation and co-opera.
tion, with stalwart Democrats North, sug-
gest the name of Southerner who will be
up to the high standard of oldeu-time
Democratic Presidents.
-. Perhaps it would be well at an oppor-
tune moment to reintroduce our section
to the Presidential ticket by giving one
ol our leaders the second place, so that
the Northern public after seeing that
great good aud no harm is done may
welcome from our section an occupant for
the White House.
The truth is. just now the South is
more anxious about the proceedings in
the House of Representatives than who is
to be nominated for President aud Vice.
President.
The pregnant question of the hour is,
SIS the South to be deprived OF its repre-
sentation in the House; are our State
laws to be .contemptuously annulled; are
our voters to be put at the mercy of Re-
publican supervisors and canvassers, and
Is new era of riot and bloodshed to be
lnaugurated again in a section now so
peaceful aud 80 rapidly becoming prosper
Gus ?"
Mr. Herald, if you desire to help us, drop
the Presidential question and call upon
your business. men to raise their voices in
Indignant protests against the new recon
struction proposed in the LodgeRowell
bill. Continue your blows. Help to kill
the force BILL
We have reasonable hopes that if it is
passed by the House (as seems likely) it
will be laid on the table or rejected in the
Senate. We would like TO see this done
by majority SO decided, vote so en-
phatic, that never more will the enemies
of the South dream of gagging it's voice
in Congress with force Richmond
Dispatch.
eB- A bill has passed the Senate ad-
mitting Wyoming.