The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1892-04-06
"yyE FOOLS OF TIE SOUTH"

The above Is the title OF an edltoIlai
in the Greenville News Of Saturday.
The article is so replere with truth,
aud expresses our views so fully, that
we insert it here and ask our people 10
read it, ponder it, and then grappie
with the situation like men: free from
prejudice. There is great need for
craftsmanship, patriotism and unselhsh
devotion-for a leader or leaders pos
sessing these qualities.
Looking at the present political con-
ditions in the South and remembering
that the same kind OF thing now going
on has gone on at Intervals among ali
people in all ages, we may we'll wonder
that the human race has made so mucn
progress, that so much good has come
from so much bad.
Here we are in the South hylDg at
each others throats on free silver and
anti free silver, sub-treasury and anu
sub-treasury. In Alabama kolb and
Jones are fighting desperately. In Loul-
siaua it is McEnery and Foster. In
North Carolina, Georgia and Texas the
third party has been thoroughly ana
fully organized.
What fools we are.
Demagogues are stirring strife and
working harder to make class issues
than they would work for the salvation
of their own souls. The South needs of
all things capital to develop and build
no her resources and such confidence IN
tie stability and character of her State
governments as will invite capital and
Immigration. Yet no effort is spared to
create prejudice against capital and its
representative. Livery energy is being
devoted to divide us in hostile classes
to force one part Of the white people
into a position where they will have to
choose between practical Gisfranchlse-
meut and abandoning their party.
Every effort TO heal these breaches, 10
bring about compromises while it is yet
time, to get our people together. is met
with showers Of abuse and derlslon.
The men who attempt it are pointed
out as public enemies.
Andtbe shadow Of the force bill is
hanging over Us ali the time.
If a republican congress and president
are elected next fall the force bill will
come and the negro masses in southern
States will be backed by federal bayo-
nets.
Take South Carolina, for instance. y
nice position we are in now to meet the
force bill and q determined radical
effort!
In 1876 we won. because we were all
together. Rich and poor, country and
town, rode and worked together. The
people turned out rs one man and OIL
cred their lives and gave their votes.
The rich poured out money to make
the fight with. The lawyers were ready
to defend men accused Of political of
ences, to represent the case Of the white
people in the courts without fee or pro-
mise.
What shape would We Re III now?
We are being taught to hate and dis
trust each other. Revenges are being
planted in our hearts. Unless there is
a change for the better, trouble, if it
comes, will find<us powerless. Not only
are we unable to do anything to in
crease the prosperity of our State and
hasten her.progress, but we are practl-
cali Helpless to prevent her from Slip
ping back into the clutches Of the radl-
Gals.
Twoyears ago We could tell the repub-
licans to pass their force bill if they
choose; that it would accomplish moth
ing against solid, united white race.
We can not say so now.
Perhaps it will come out all right.
People have struggled through dangers
as threatening, through trouble as
thick, and have continued to go for
ward. On the other hand, peoples who
persisted in folly and blindness and fol-
lowing false leaders have decayed to
destruction.
In every part Of the South every
man who really loves his country and
people and who can see beyond a little
office or a temporary gain or the gratif
cation of his hatreds or prejudices
should give his every effort to preparing
the people for the trial that may be
just ahead. Never has there been
more urgent demand for wisdom and
patriotism than there is now.
Demagogues and cranks and agitators
ought to be suppressed by the strong
force Of public sentiment. The people
Of all opinions, positions and classes
ought to come together with mutual
concessions and fair compromises that
we may be ready to present solid
front when the assault comes.