New-York tribune., 1896-10-26

One of the most gratifying features of the pres
ent campaign is the evident breaking up of the
Solid South The number Of electoral votes that
the Republican candidates may obtain in the
Southern States Is by no means the index of
his change. Every State south Of Mason ana
DiXOn's line might go for Bryan without altering
the fact that the old spirit Of sectional antago-
nsm which survived the Civil War is dead. and
Il.at the people Of the Southern States. however
they may vote hereafter. will determine their
course from the ordinary political considerations
which weigh with other men. and moi from mere
blind prejudice.
This feeling is the compensation Of a crisis in
volving everything which honest men value in
their government. The Confederate veteran iS
more inclined TO anarchy than his Federal
antagonist Of thirty years ago and is more than
willing TO join with the NOrtherner in Il com
mon battle for National honesty. On the other
side. there has been disposition 10 meet tie
South symplheically. TO treat the Southern
soundmoney man. not as repeniant sinner.
but as an hOnored ally in a noble cause. No
man has done more To foster this cordial rcla-
tonship than Major Mckinley himself. Al
every opportunity since his nomination he has
shown himself a man of no narrow sectional
the Confederate veterans an appeal 10 the
patriotism of the whole country. which evil
dently went TO the hearts Of the Southern peo-
pie Since that address Major Mckinley has re-
ceved more than 800 letters and a.large num-
her Of telegrams praising his words More
than half OF these Communications came from the
South. largely from Confederate veterans and
their sons The burden of their letters is that
49,, Ia o,I Mat, Nc
Kinley. and appreciate the catholic spirit with
which he regards them ana their views. One
Confederate Brigadier writes:
We are deeply patriotic in the South to-day.
and honor the Republican party for the stand 1t
has made for National honor have long s,is-
pected that our material welfare lay in the
triumph Of the principles OF the Republican
party. and every clear-sighted and unbiased
southern man knows IT, but We have been held
back by the bOgy OF negro domination. This Is
has been kept cOnspicuously before our eyes
by the professional politician. whose occupa-
tion will be gone the moment the people realize
they are being fooled and that there Is in
reality no danger from the negro. 1t is the
politicians not the people. who are raising
hue and cry about negro dominai aiion unde:-
stand this thoroughly now and do not propose
10 have this silly fear stand in the pathway OF
Southern progress any longer. n can help u.
A hundred others. from women aS we'll a. men.
declare: you have sounded the knc Of The
Solid South" And that is exactly what Major
Mckinley has done. No other man rould have
done it so well. Other leaders have extended
friendly hand 10 the Southern people and tried
to assure them of sympathy with their prob
lens and aspirations. bui never with the same
chance Of success. Speaking a a candidate. he
has spoken with authority. and occupying
place from which only conventional words are
usually expected. he has spoken with the sim
plicity and unaffected earnestness OF Il friend.
The South is ripe for such friendship. and Major
Mckinley has extended II not only with tact but
with a sincerity which is appreciated and finds
warm response. 1t matters not how the electoral
vote OF the South is east. the Republican party
and the South are by him made friends.