New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-08
THE LEAGUE IN TIE SOUTH.

1t was happy idea which took the hepuo-
Iran League into the South. All that pro-
notes sympathy and good understanding be-
tween the people of the various sections OF our
vast country is much to be encouraged Sec
tiona problems are always aggravated Wneh
intercourse is interrupted and the people are
supplied with only those facts which are nitereu
through Washington. Politicians must De al
vocates, and advocates rarely tell the whoie
truth. The South is misrepresented 10 some
extent by Northern statesmen who are unable
70 appreciate local conditions there. III Is
sbockinelv misrepresented by its own states
men who are unable to appreciate anything else
pot,,een the two. that element Of Southern
society which is of real account and which alone
is growing has not yet had hrs'-ra'o o"""''
to assert itself.
The Republicans of the League have met
many members of this active, progressive prac-
tical element in Nashville. They are partic-
ularly numerous there and In Chattanooga in
birmingham. in Atlanta, and in all those South
o,n cities where the real estate market Is IN
teresting. They are the men and women VINO
realize that the South to escape bankruptcy anu
anarchy must embrace that spirit OF enterprise
which has done such wonders in New-Enelanu'
New-York, Pennsylvania and ONO, ana whic"
is now doing such greater wonders beyond 'ho
Missouri and the Lakes They are the pro-
moters of new ways, new ideas ana ne" So
c;al system. They understand that the law OF
eonal rights must triumph, that 1t is stronger
than inherited prejudice. They perceive that
the old aristocracy, the proud product of three
centuries of class rule, cannot survive as the
controlling force in business or ponucs' 1heS
do not wish longer 70 be miserable martyrs
to a decayed idea. They prefer to regain tneli
wealth. their comfortable homes and their old
nosition in National affairs. They want TO see
the feeble-minded Bourbons who have BEEN
and are vet, holding on to place and power put
os;de for race of Jeffersons, Madisons Ben
tons and Clays.
There is a host of these true Americans IN tho
South-SouthernerS always but Nationalist rs
well-and we repeat that they are the Only cie-
ment which grows or can grow. Ihey nave
evolved slowly, and years must slu pass De-
fore they are controlling and before their con-
troll can bring about that adjustment OF the
race question upon the principle OF me II
teentb Amendment which will reyouflonlze
Southern politics. reconstruct parties, break up
the Solid South and enable the negro to vote
unnn other issues than that of personal safety.
They have advanced step by step from that
condition IN which hatred and revenge occu-
pied their minds to condition IN when they
are full of fratelnal sentiment and profoundly
anxious for the sake Of their section, their
states themselves and the Union 70 clear up
all the old issues and TO get fairly started upon
a new career of prosperity. The development
Of this class. the work it is accomplishing every
dav the organization il is effecting for indus
trial enterprise the earnestness with which 1t
propagates the principle Of equal nights as the
necessary foundation of u policy that invites
immigration and offers business Inducements
10 all who will come and avail of them-these
things are uncning signs Of the better days
now dawning upon the South.
Tlue. the old system, with its hates and lis
wronE fingers and still holds the purse and
the rod Of government II dies hard, and VIII
die as il has lived since the war, in crime and
outrage and fraud 1t has cOnglomerate sup
mort The naughty old aristOcratS are for 1t.
The "whte trash" who hate the Niger" be-
cause the negro deSpiSes them, are for IT,.
Everybody who wants Office is for II. Every
body who STAYS with the old ways because they
are old is for it, All the rabble that follows
after power is for it. 1t elects Governors,
Legislatures and Congressman. 1t is strong
enough TO rob ballot boxes and to commit arson
and murder without getting caught, if its VIC
tins are negroes and Republicans. 1t Is still
nowerful TO keep out SCHOOL, books and to
coefce the press But still it is dying. IL IS
bound to die. The forces for it are all bad.
disagreeable to feel and ruinous in their social
results The forces against it are all whole
some and lasting. The League Convention
gave these better forces another impetus All
that encourages fraternity, frank discussion
and mutual respect is another blow at the 81
gantic but crumbng ruin of the Southern
| oligarchy