The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1891-04-04
SOUTHERN SUPREMACY.

In bis "War "Reminiscences, now
being published in the National
Tribune, Of Washington, Major Gen
eFal John Pope, United States army,
writes as follows Of southern suprem-
aey. past and prospective;
-0ne OF the strangest social phases
that characterized the years before the
war was the recognized social
supremacy Of the south aud the defer
ence paid to it. 1t does not seem inn
portant yet 10 inquire into the causes
Of this curious freak. The South did
not possess the wealth, the culture, or
the polish given by the experinee OF
foreign travel, yet IN any society any
where they dominated almost without
quest. Perhaps in their manner ofllie
on isolated plantations, where unques-
toned authority gave habit of CON-
mand and a tone ofhabitual supremacy,
and where wide and lavish hospitality
was the custom, may Se found the
secret of the easy assumption oil the
foremost place in any other company
than their own. 1t is reported in the
papers that Mr.. Jefferson Davis once
said in 1868, in public speech, that
the Southern people were the natural
masters of their Northern brethren,
and that in Il few wears, after the pas
sions of the war had subsided, they
would again be put in control OF tue
government. Twenty-three years only
have passed since he made this utter
anee liz he did make itl and his fore
cast Is already so nearly true that we
can see the end plainly in view. MOI
only is this true in political affairs, ou'
/ il is also again the fact in social lie.
"A glance at the social life in wash
ington will make this fact plain enough
The South has been ruined in fortune
and their customs and habits OF liz
altogether overthrown. Yet poor
wen nigh destitute, they still hoi'
their heads high and are recognizes
as among the leaders of men oi soeie'
by their Ear more prosperous iellow
, citizens of the North. Ii has bee
surprising to many people to witnes
this resurrection of the south ana II
triumphant advance again to poWe
: aud 10 place; but it is u fact, worm
or not, as the case may be, oil stuu
If things 90 on as they have been i5
c ,bo last ton wears. the South by Il
a end Of another ten years will as ful
y he in possession of the goyernmel
/ and will as completely direct its pom
y as in 1858 and it cannot be sald tl
y this will happen because OF any pee
: liarity. IN their lives, nor the haoi's
u authority aud domination when we
d tbe natural outcome Of their system
4, slavery and Of the necessity ior .n'
y banding together, regardless ol
y other questions, to protect H. on y,
% conditions exist no longer L
50 south is poor and needy, and her p'
g ple are compelled to work rs haru
DE- anv Northern laborer; but over a
he through all blazes that powor 10 7,
p and that fitness to command Wh
ne characterized them before the war u
Sc, which is rapidly being recognized
he submitted to now. II is easy 10 Ut
nd these statements, aud no doubt I'M
ie- Good people in the rural districts
oe the North will be prompt 10 uo
ial should they see or hear OF them,
CT, the man of the cities or OF puDlle
hu will hardly question them IN
ter presence Of those having his own
mo perience''
er- In attributing the ante beIlum
ere of Southern supremacy to the efiec
u"' slavery, of the plantation life !
Pope only repeats what is comm
low accepted as true. Slavery non eAiS
calls for near 80 years, he Is at a los
ials account for the continuance oil 'nc
S is habit of social, with a growing
the dency to the old political, domln'
ulty His error is in assuming that inc
of the impressions and qualll'l'
the vanished slaveholding life, wa
mediate upon the destruction OF
'''A institution upon which these
took based. Ills premise is simply fauI
ouh- anticipation.
y OF Though it is possible that the
~ 1,a,' necessary to maintain rule and co
iday of the white over the black RAJ
own freedom, will long stimulate anc
start petuate the development OF the 9
, ,neSo ,ho of government, the strain Of domli
wed I in the Anglo-Saxon blood. I'D
Ids in mands of tins necessity of swa!
mastery by the whites, the ac
'unus force and resoluteness requisite
niles , end. are infinitely greater auu
most ordnous than in any parallel
hind. that of the British West Indies |
has stance-because ours is a people
! !, loIa ~, erpment; one declaring the
were equality of the races. But the s''
Yaster, ia one admitting no comprom
sight o,oolioration and hence there
'i the surely be effort equal to the del