New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-16
bright SKIES IN THE SOUTH.

Every Republican in the United states oughu
| IN read Mr. Albert GliflnS letter on Inc
Inner South" which we print this morning on
another page. 1t contains new philosophy Oh
| tho noltical situation, and it must be acknoWl-
edged that the writer supports his views with
nroofs of surprising potency. 1t Is not neceS-
sarv to agree with Mr.. Griffin i'll the idea that
unless the Republican party carries some Oh inc
Southern States that naturally belong to IL thele
is no hope Of its success to render his argument
in favor of immediate action III the upper cOulh
conclusive. lie has collected facts and figures
that apply too generally and for too long a
,in,o IN warrant tho careless rejection OF inc
lesson he draws from them. Whether Repub-
lican principles are as strong in the North TO-
day as they were in 1888 or not, the fact re-
mains that accessionS from the south to the
Republican vote in the Electoral College arc
immensely desirable and the opportunity to
secure them should be pursued with ZEAL
MIR. Griffin maintains, and he has the election
returns for the last twelve years and the CEN
ans reports of 1880 and 1890 to confirm HIN,
that throughout the State of Delaware, Mary
land, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina,
Tennessee Kentucky and Missouri, constitute
ing what he terms the Upper south, the hepuO-
lican party is strongest where the white Vote Is
largest; that for a series OF twelve years 1t has
made steady and remarkable gains III all inc
distinctiyely white counties that Its losses nave
been confined 10 those counties where tho negro
vote is in the majority, and finally, 'bat It's
gains have reached the point where niue Ell
fort only IS needed 20 insure Republican VIC
tories of an overwhelming character Ibls, oil
course, sounds optimistic, but what II II does (;
So far as the returns establish It's truth ana
value. its optimism is decided virtue. Hope
and courage are the children OF optimism, and
there can be no question that these qualities are
useful in politics. Mr.. Gri1in's suggestions do
not include the abandonment of any OF the prr-
cinles 10 which the party is welded 1t is not
proposcd to surrender the just cause OF equal
rights in return for white support III Southern
sections On the contrary, 1t Is admitted that
those who vote for Republican ascendancy there
do so because it means equal nights quite as
much as because it means Protection and Reel
procity. The reason Republican strength has
crown in the white districts is not that the
Democrats there are less active than they are
in the black districts. In point OF fact they
are far more active and not'a whit more Sclupu-
lous But the white Republic ans have been able
to take care of themselves, 10 require an honest
count, TO despise Bourbon knavery, and to laugh
at Bourbon threats. The work they have done
upon numerous occasions in Virginia, the work
they did in West Virginia III 1888 and are now
doing in Delaware and Maryland is certainly
remarkable. 1t fully justilies tho active sup
| port of the party and its leaders in the Nation.
The next campaign will afford an excellent
opportunity OF making vigorous Republican
battle in the South. i'm addition to the en-
oouragement afforded by the natural develop
ment of party strength there, the recent tour OF
| President Harrison may be reckOned as great
| aid to the triumph of MS partys principles and
hopes. The Presidents speeches left no doubt
Of his position in favor of equal rights and OF
majority rule. They were truly National, truly
| American. They were conceived in such a
spirit of friendLness to Southern industries and
Southern ambitions as TO render harsh criticism
from an opposing press impossible. That they
exerted remarkable influence in inclining tho
Southern mind toward the policies they advo-
Gated it is impossible to doubt. They opened
the way to missionary work which may indeed
result if it be reSolutely pursued, i'll Southern
victories i'll 1872.