The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-08-24
Make All Safe in the South.

There are signs Of a tumult on the hori-
zon OF politics in the South. Manifestations
multiply Of factional unrest: and If present
indications are to be credited. the harvest
moon of tho November fight in that region
will have the earmarks of blood upon its
face. What has occurred in Alabama We
already know. Since the exciting election
in that State. two Democratic tickets have
been put in the field in Texas and Tennessee.
The Democracy is split squarely in two in
South Carolina. and the shadow Of the
Peoples party rests heavily upon tho
prospects OF tho Democrats in Georgia,
Florida. Louisiana, Virginia. and Ar
kansas. We see. indeed. this year the
Republicans seriously considering their
chances OF success in Missouri. North Caro-
lima. Delaware. and West Virginia. four
stronSholds where for many years the
Democracy has been regarded MS invincible.
Two States only OF the solid South do not
appear to be affected by n disorganizlng
and dis!ntegrating tendency. These are
Maryland, where tho influence of Senator
GoRMAN is still paramount. and Kentucky.
where Col. WATTERsoN has addressed him.
self to the task of quelling oil disturbance
by the familiar and approved method of
drowning it in noise.
What is the cause OF this excitement and
unrest in the solid Democratic States of the
South? From what does it spring? How
may it be abated: How may the triumph
Of the Democracy be made sure?
The causes are two in number. and this is
the first: Many Of the distinguished citi-
zen-statesmcn. who contributed by their
efforts and services to uphold the cause
of the Southern States upon the battlefield.
earned thereby a title to subsequent recog-
milton in civil life. The difficult and deli
cate duties incident to administration dur.
ing the era Of reconstruction. they dis
charged with v!gor. patience. skill. earnest
ness, and IN abiding sense Of patriotic
duty: and for such services they
have been honored. rewarded. and kept
in Office. or in places OF influence.
But with the lapse Of n quarter OF a
century. and tho appearance OF new con-
ditions. the embcrs Of war times have
been scattered. and new forces and new
faces have como into demand. Many of the
ancient leaders lack that rare. cherished.
and most cnviablc attribute Of mon grown
Oil il years. tho power to keep their minds
clear, their spirits v%ivaciOus, thoir aims
progressive. and their surroundings re-
1uvcnated. The result Ii that, In too many
cases. these men have become reminiscent,
welded to past notions and to mossbaclx
ideas. They have ceased to inspire popular
confidence. and the younger element has
been struggling to get to the front.
That is the first reason; the second
reason is to be found in the economic con.
dltion OF the Southern States at present.
Thn;r or yia nrntpctlnno n,n colli... -. -.
and often Improbable figures. There Is
but q limited demand for Southern agricul-
tural products. The railroad situation ia
much complicated. and the Intervention of
the courts has had to he invoked to pre-
serve NAM railroads from bankruptcy.
When times are hard. and business is dull,
tho advocates OF crank notions have q good
chance. and the words OF agitators are
hearkened to with seriousness. That is
why. In several States of the South, and
moro especially In those whore cotton
Is tho chief production. the allegiance OF
many voters to the local Democratic leaders
has been rudely shaken.
What Is the solution OF the question which
thus forces itself upon tho consideration OF
the Democratic chiefs in the North 1t
would be idle to expect improved Demo-
cratic prospects from dry debates. dreary
schedule controversies. and arguments on
economic questions. which. instead OF unit
ing. tend only to further rend. separate.
and embitter the feelings Of the dissenti-
ents and malcontents. and thus enormously
increase the influence and chances OF the
third party. thereby imporilling Democratic
success throughout the South.
The one thing. and the only thing to
unite In bands OF triumphant and unsever-
able union the dlscordant local factions OF
the Southern Democrats. is 10 stick close
to the limo OF duty and hold fast to the an-
Choir OF political safety In support OF the
one issue npon which every patriotic Amer