The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-09-04
A Divided south.

VIII the time ever come when the
South will cease to be politically solidE
This is n query which in the light Of
recent events cannot fail TO occur to
many minds. A writer in the current
number of the Republican Magazine
periodical, by the way. which well de-
serves encOuragemCLt-treat this query
from a point of view largely original
This writer regards the Southern ques-
ton, from the beginning until now, as
wholly question. Before the war, he
tells us, the South invested its funds in
land and slaves. Ii was the fear of
losing the funds thus invested that pro-
duced the war Since the abolition Of
slavery the attention of Southern inyes-
tors has been almost wholly turned TO
land. In other words. Southern invest
nents are almost wholly local, and it il
this which has made the South soidly
Democratic.
The investments of Northern capita
lists this writer AYERS. are and have for
years past been largely national in their
nature. He calls attention to the fact
thar the great trunk lines Of railway are
owned largely at the North: and these
stocks and bonds have largely national
nayOr. The fear Of negro suprcmacs
argues the essayist, does not serve 20
Keep the South Democratic, except IN
so far as it relates TO landed investments.
The South regards nationalized invest
ments as a threat TO it's local invest
ments. To station soldiers, under a
force BILL to protect the ballot-box
would have the effect, it is claimed, of
inJuring the value of property and thus
Of intensifying bitterness.
President Harrison, IT is declared, with
the cooperation Of Republican Con-
10
almost In month" and this by pro-
claiming settled purpose 20 favor
Southern investments. for example. bg
pllclng heavy duty on sugar and grant
ing vast internal improvements and
bcunties to Southern manufacturing en-
terprises. But this. it is seen at once,
would make a solid Democratic North
Not that the North is jealous Of the Soutt
and wishes it i'll, but that such an e1-
IRENE movement would react in hostility
to Northern investments There is a
method by which the Republican party
may regard Southern investments with
favor, and at the same time carefully
guard the invested interests Of the North.
Briefly, then, this writer would build
up Republican party in the South by
inducing the capitalists of that section to
change the nature of their investments
from local to national. To accomplish
this end is the problem. The National
Banking law is already popular in the
South. The underlying principles of this
Act, If extended 10 other interests.
would operate TO break the Solid South.
A similar Act, allowing corporations of
any nature to organize under national
supervision. would, it is urged, operate
to this end.
In this Connection it is worth while 20
call attention to the subject Of the Mis-
sissippi leyees. This is a subject OF the
warmest interest to the people Of the
Southwest, but one 10 which but little
attention has been paid in this section.
A Republican Congress might, by assum-
ing the care of these dykes. have supplied
a strong lever for the breaking Of the
'Solid South The Advertiser recently
pointed out that the rapid sprnging up
Of manufactures in the South, and con-
sequent promotion of the protective idea,
argues we'll for the Republican party In
that section. The financial idea hare ere