The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-08-28

The withdrawal Of Secretary Proctor from
the Cabinet will furnish an opportunity 10
President Harrison Of appointing a Southern
man 10 fill the position that will DO vacated.
viii he take advantage Of the opportunity
10 do thisy
When he was making up bis original Cabi-
net no refused 10 consider the advisability OF
appointing a representative of the Southern
States and il is far from probable that at this
lato day he will adopt different course.
And vet every dictate Of political policy and
every suggestion of his previous professions
would seem 70 demand that Dir. Harrison
should I'll tho vacant secretaryship by tho
appointment Of Southern man
A few months ago, when the President was
making his rather memorable journey through
tho Southern States. he took occasion while
dwelling upon the rising prosperity of these
Statesto remind his hearers thatthe Union was
now one great whole, with the same Interests
and the same destinies and that its Chief Mag
istrate should recognize no geographical dlVis-
ions OF sections. At the very time that Mr..
Harrison was speaking he had surrounded
himself with official advisers who represented
every part Of the Union but the South. He had
not only ignored one of the greatest divisions
Of the republic. but also very large portion
of the Republican party.
To the people of the South the action Of
Harrison IN selecting his Cabinet appointees
from tho North and West exclusively was a
matter of unaffected indifference. If they
thought his conduct strange. it was only
strange in their eyes because inconsistent
with his repeated professions of sectional i'm
partially There was no other feeling IN
their breasts.
Scan the whole list Of representative South
ern Republicans and what man is there in
that list whose appointment 10 a Cabinet po-
sition would cause the slightest thrill Of pride
and qualification to rise in the hearts OF the
Southern people? Not one. whether we con-
slider the survivors Of the old scaawag and
carpet-bag crew of infamous reputation. OF
that newer circle in which Malone and his
Ike occupy 50 exalted station. To elevate
men If this stamp to high official position is
to fill every Southern breast with emotions Of
mingled contempt and disgust.
II we regard the action OF Harrison in re-
fusing 10 make any Southern Cabinet appoint
ment. from the point of view of entire igno-
rance of his real motives. we should say that
this action was the most respectable part Of
the history of his administration, and that his
continued persistence in it was entitled 10
approval Objection TO tho character Of
Southern Republicanism is not, however, the
motive Of the President The man who can
see nothingill in the conduct Of a Wanamaker
n Clarkson, Quay, his intimate political as
sociates, will hardly take exception TO the
recordof the average Southern Republican.
Mr.. Harrison is not considered to be too
virtuous to take his seat at the Cabinet table
besides the scuryiest Republican in the
South His reason for excluding the South
ern Republican is to be sought for elsewhere,
and it is probably to be found in his recogni-
ton of the fact that the appointment Of q
Southern Republican TO a Cabinet position
would have no effect upon the solidarity Of tho
South In other words. he prefers to make
his official selections where NE believes they
will do the most political good.