New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-14
THE SOUTHERN QUESTION.
SPIRITED DEBATE IN THE SENATE Be
TWEEN MESSRS. SHERMAN AND BUTLER.
THE OHIO SENATOR HOLDING THAT THE SOUTH
MENr AND THE SUCCEEDING LEGIsLA-
Tr1N-MR. BUTLER on FEDERAL
ELECTION LAW
lBy -rr1neRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE,

Washington. March 13.-The sectional debate pro-
cooked yesterday by Mr. George of Mississippi ran on
today in the Senate with increased vigor and vehc-
mence. Senator Eusts brought the subject up early
in the day by suggesting various corrections in the
speech made yesterday by Mr.. Hoar. and after tho
Massachusetts, senator had answered his criticisms at
length Senators Sherman and Butler engaged IN
stll sharper controversy the legislation OF Re
construction. and its present practical denial and &c
hance by the South Mr.. sherman seldom SPEAKS on
such topic. and what he said today was made eN-
ceedingly telling impressive by the orators force
and earncstness.
The South. he held entirely responsible for the
XVth Amendment and the legislation which followed
II. The XIVth Amendments monument OF nberalitY
and moderation-was all that the North intended to
ask To secure the results of the War. But no sooner
had the XIVth Amendment passed than the southern
people, by every means in their power, set abou.
10 defeat its aim, and the passage of the NVth
Amendment became a reluctant necessity. If the
southern States borne down by vast population
of ignorant black voters. it was their fault.
They had hardened their hearts against the earlier
liberal policy of the North. and. 10y the enactment
of all sorts of crude and barLarOus laws for the
ment of the freedmen, had forced the North to
the negro in selfdefence with the ballot. Now even
the black mans ballot was taken from him. and the
Southern States were back in the Union. secure in
their State Governments, and welding a swollen
and dsproportionate power. by Of the silent
from Mississippi had said that there was a feel
ing of hatred at the North against the South. That
mistake. There no feeling of hatred, but
there was deep and intense feeling OF injustice and
Indignation at the usurpaiio hv the ruling class mt
the SOUTH OF a power in National affairs not lawfully
its own. a lower which grew ouf of the Whole
sale denial 10 the enfanchised coiored voter of
his constitutional rights. Until the south savo
up her added representation in Congress and in the
Electoral College. restored 10 the negro The suf
fFage conferred upon him by te Constitution. there
would always be discomfort and uneasness in the
Nation and. further than that. II the Constitution
continued to be openly and Hagranty violated in the
South the remedy woud have 10 be sought in national
control Of national elections and the adoption and
enforcement of a system by which every mans vote
in every State would be freely cast and honestly
counted.
This keen and pointed arrsgnment Of tho South
brought Senator Butler. Of South Carolina, to his feet
The mention Of National Election law lad an effect
on him like that Of the red RAJ the traditional bull
iniquity of Federal Interference. National Election
law he said, would bring back the di-sraccful era
Of carpet bag government IN the southern states
would disturb the peace and Tranquility = cNr.F
community in that section, and would overturn it,
whole business and social order. Il would ic"p'rdlze
every business interest there. 1t would overtrrn
How Federal control of purely National elections
would disturb at all the system OF local and state
Government in the south he did not stop 20 snow.
To make the confusion o: ideas worse coniounded,
the impetuOus south Carolina senator went on ~
say that he would gladly give up any additional
power in National affairs for the sale Of security
al home; and that he hoped that the DAY Wouc come
to cast his vote without molestation. If Mr. Butter
is sincere in these avOwals. how can he see awning
to Hy in passion about i'm "a National Flr ii0n l4w
which would end the southern question" at the
North restore the constitutional equality OF all cii
in National affairs, and yet leave 70 the southern
States that :" hour of security in state and local
matters which he 50 dramatically declared he pre-
ferred to "a century Of political power in the Nation