The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-12
THE PHILADELPHIA PRESS TO THE
CONVENTION or SOUTHERN
GOVERNORS.

ern people find themselves in and to con-
| slider whatever may be suggested that
seems to promise good TO those people.
1t thinks that what the South most needs
is foreign immigration, which, In its
opinion, will never come here while the
tendencies and sentiments OF the people
remain concentrated into a state that is.
it thinks, perfectly described and defined
by the word "Bourbonism." The Press
! finds "Bourbonism" to be the chronic
state Of our population. "Bourbonism
Is the air we breathe, "Bourbonism' is
the food we eat, "Bourbonism" is the
law Of our churches our railroads, Of
the street and the highway. the book
store and the hotel. Having diagnosed
our disease. the Press is then good enough
| to indicate to the Convention of South
ern Governors what it should set itself
about accomplishing. 1t tells those Gov
ernOrs that they must find a way TO put
an end TO "Bourbonism" and then Il
will send US German Socialists and Rus
sian Nihilists enough TO fill up all vacant
murder our police with dynamite bombs.
When we get down to the bottom Of what
the Press means by "Bourbonism" we
find IL intends by that word TO describe
our antipathy to social equality OF the
black and white races. and freedom of
intercourse between the two races on
the basis of mutual affection and esteem.
Because we have the most pointed OBJ
jections TO intermarrage of blacks and
whites. because we refuse 10 allow negro
bucks to plant themselves in the choicest
seats of the dress circles of our theatres
alongside of our wives and daughters,
the Press thinks we are afflicted with
the disease which it calls "Bourbonism"
in it's most malignant form, and IL threat
ems us with the calamity Of never hav-
ing a single Anarchist. Socialist or Nihi-
list TO come and settle amongst us as
long as the disease prevails
Well. our condition may be as unhappy
as the Press thinks that it is. but we
question very much whether it's kindly
interest in US and it's condescending coun-
sci TO our Governors will tend in the
slightest degree toward influencing those
gentlemen TO set measures on foot that
look towards remodellng the sentiments
and feelings of our people in this regard
Indeed. in spite of the sage advice of
the Press. it would not surprise us in
the least to learn that each one Of those
Governors shares very thoroughly in the
prevailing opinions here on these matters.
and If each one retained his opinions after
he learns that the Press disapproves Of
them. in spite of that fact.
That picturesque statesman, the Hon.
John J. ingalls,. of Kansas, who tells rs
that on one of his lecturing tours the
people Of that sleepy old Virginia town.
Norfolk took him for Sarah Bernhard.
has had a regeneration Of spirit in this
matter since the people of Kansas elect
ed him by very large majority to re-
main hereafter at home. He has a letter
in last Sundays New York World. from
which we quote most cynical extract.
which shows that the Christening influence
of an unlucky election has had a marked
influence upon his political eyesight. and
we commend the methods of his medita-
lions TO the Press. notwithstanding much
in them that Is not true He says:
"The old issues have been settled. The
war OF the rebellion, its passions and re-
sentiments are like a volcano that has
burned out. Scoriae and lava abound
but they will never kindle again The
nation is supreme. Slavery and secession
are dead dosmas Even the race problem
is practically extinct The negro must
take his chances with the rest. TIL ,re
Will be no more Force bills nor civil
rights legislation. The rule of the mi
nority in the South is acknowledged. The
elimination Of the African as a political
factor Is complete, and, with four assured
years more Of the policy OF local self
government and home rule the supremacy
or the Anglo-SaXon race will never be
disturbed.
There has been. indeed. for some time
a growing sentiment of acquiescence I'm
the admitted suppression of the colored |
vote, and subterranean conviction |
that under the same circumstances the |
whites Of the North would act very |
much in the same way.
" Who would be free themselves must |
strike the blow The patient and m |
complaining submission Of the freed non |
TO the denial Of their rights and TO the |
imposition Of unspeakable TYRANNY and |
Injustice for so MANY years has re- |
suited in "A suspicion that they are in |
different TO freedom and are unworthy |
OF further effort and sacrifice Renevo- |
lence will not cease. nor will their edu- |
cation and instruction in morality and |
religion be neglected. but socially and |
politically thew will tread the wine-press
alone. and. like all weaker races. will
be crowded to the wall
During the quarter OF century of
freedom there has been no indication of
successful competition with the whites
In any common field Of effort The love
OF fair play. which is characteristic of
our race. will demand an equal chance
for them. as IT has for the Indians. the
Chinese and all the other subordinate
inhabitants OF the earth so long as they
DO not interfere with our own cupidity. |
ambition or love OF dominion. Their
liberty Will be absolute If they do what
we desire. The people Of the North IRE
strongly In favor of allowing the ne
sroes TO have their rights In the State
of Mississippi though they held them as
slaves till slavery ceased to be profit
able above the Potomac. They are
equally ardent in their philanthropy for
indians In Nebraska and Dakota,