New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-28
welcomed who will favor radical reformation

OF election methods.
Among hundreds Of active Republicans whom
have met during the last two months in the
South. Mr.. Leonard Is the only one who has ad-
vocated the re-enactment Of Federal election
laws. I'VE can do nothing in Louisiana" he said
to me. when election frauds notorious and
systematic / can see no indications OF Repub-
lican success here We can do nothing until we
have honest elections Our only hope Is from the
North. We ought to have a system of Federal
election laws. 1t is the only thing that will save
us" From this view Mr.. Leonards intimate
associate. Morris Marks dissented. on the ground
that Federal election laws could not be en-
forced, and were therefore IF practical
value. He considered that the next Republican
House would be justified In throwing out the
entire Democratic delegation from Louisiana. on
the ground that no elections had been held.
Neither Mr.. Coleman who Is vigorously con-
testing one Of the seats In Congress. nor Gov
Warmoth. nor Major Eaton. nor any other
Republican whom I consulted in NewOrleans.
was in favor Of the revival OF the Lodge bill or
the re-enactment Of any Of the Federal election
laws repealed by the present Congress. With
one consent they condemned that policy az I'M
necessary impotic and fatal emphasizing the
fact that the Solid South had fallen asunder as
soon as the so-called force bills had been re-
pealed.
In Louisiana as in other Southern States. I
have found survivors of The old time carpet-bag
policy OF perpetuating Repubcanism negro
party with corporal's guard of white leaders
available for controlling the Federal offices
whenever there is a Republican Administration
at Washington. The old time tacticans brought
negroes into positions of prominence, obtained
for them as many minor offices as possible. APP
peaed TO their ambitions and prejudces and
thereby alienated the party's white supporters
Some OF these veterans cannot adapt themselves
to altered conditions. The newer and more pro-
gressive Republicanism in the South Is based not
upon race lines. but upon National policies 1t
welcomes recruits from every quarter-from
sugar and rice planters. whose industries have
been either wantony sacrificed or inadequatey
protected by Democratic legislation: from edu-
Gated business classes who are attracted to the
Republican party as the only political organiza-
ton competent to direct nteigently and sue
cessfully the financial and productive interests
of the Nation; and from the descendants and
representatives OF the non-save-owninR farm
population Of the South. who are using the
Populist party a bridge to carry them from
Bourbon Democracy into Republicanism essen
TALLY National and emancipated from the mar
rowness of old-time carpe.-bag politics. With
gressive Republicanism recognizes the impracti-
cabity of obtaining adequate protection OF his
civil and political rights so long as the great
mass OF the white population is eagued against
him In a single party organization.
In no other Southern State are the conditions
OF the race question and Of party politics In
general 50 discouragihg as in Louisiana No
where else are outbreaks Of lawlessness and
race antagonism more frequent. The press con-
stantly bears witness to the vengeance OF
white mobs against negro offenders and GRIM
mails There are the most narrowing rectals
OF "nigger hunts" and between the lines the
truth may be read that the fugitive from sheer
desperation. has turned upon his pursuers. after
trying to run away and has fought for his life
in the woods or In a burning barn because he
knew that a halter would be flung around MS
neck II he were TO be caught alive. Fiendish as
are some OF the negro outrages which provoke
the brutality of these shooting and lynching
bands existing conditions OF awlessness are
lamentabie and unjustihable from any point
of view As for the election methods,
they are fully bad as those In
Alabama, and the results offer no trust
worthy evidence Of public judgment or the VIII
Of the majority on questions OF the day: Loui.-
ana Is at the bottom OF the list OF states IN
illiteracy and It's unenviable position II regarded
with cynical indifference by Its legislators. The
municipal administration OF New-Orleans Is cor
rupt and incompetent, Democratic Journals
themselves being witnesses. and the imperative
need OF thorough processes OF reformation In
State politics Is recognized by all high-minded
citizens.
Neither provocation nor justification is lack
ing for an uprising in Louisiana which Will be
as revolutionary as the revolt which has driven
the North Carolina Democracy from every
stronghold Of power Industries which have
been treacherously dealt with and menaced with
destruction cry aloud against the party re-
sponsbe for the present tariff Lawessness
neglect Of public education. fragrant election
crimes, incompetent administration OF the courts
OF justice, and corruption and scandal In the
government Of New-Orleans are moral grounds
for q recoil against Democracy. The Repib.
lican party ought 10 be sufficiently flexible ana
elastic TO adapt itself TO this emergency. II
ought TO be something which It was not In car
pet-bag days-a stronghold and defence for
for all the enemies OF misgovernment II all
the disaffected elements In Louisiana can be
brought into harmonious relations. election frauds
will be stamped out and the Democracy VIII IN
eyitably be overthrOWn.
Nothing has been more exasperating to the
sensibilitcs Of the people OF Louisiana than the
Indifference which has been manifested at Wash
nRton TO the collapse OF the tme-honored sugar
Industry Every other sugar country commands
attention there Hawaii was allowed to retain
its reciprocity privileges. Germany mas enlisted
Tho co-operstion Of the Administration In an at
tornt IN secure the removal or the one-tenth
differential against It's bounty-pad beet sugar.
There have been prolonged negotiations over the
minimum and maximum scheduies IN CuDa
inm,aiana alone among sugar countries falls to
arouse any sympathy In washington Nethcr
the Cleveland Administration nor Democranc
Congress will listen to the story VI ms w' t'
or do aught to rescue its histoiio i"" I'm
impending destruction. ~ = ~ -
New.York, January %. 1879
syASUUP ~ CENTRAL PARK.
Two light wagons drawn by spirited norses came uns