The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-16

Under the above heading the Wilkes
parre Spa) Record prints the following
editorial article:
Attention Is directed to an article In
another column from the Richmond
Times one of the most widely circulated
Democratic journals OF Virginia ~
shows TO w>Sat extent the representative
of progress business enterprise ana man
cjal stability in the Southern states u0
pend upon tho Republican party III the
Middle and Eastern states TO save inc
country from the demorahzing anu uc-
structive political heresies that nave pc
come so deeply rooted in the South as TO
DEFY ali efforts to eradicate them. Whlle
ablv and almost nercely advocating poh-
cies that are absolutely essential TO ma
7jonal stability. progress and prosperity,
,sfa,thern Journals like tho Rchmohu
Times admit that they are helpless as
against the influences that control ana
give direction to political sentiment IN the
South. Northern men can well imagine
what a humiliation it must be 10 tnls
Richmond journal to bear evidence that
sthe Democrats will elect practically all
the congressman from the South through
stuffed ballot-boxes in those States where
The franchise has not been limited"
There
seen only in Northern newspapers, and
then they were denounced as lies. Within
the mast few years a number of the more
enlightened and reputable journals in the
South have refused longer to remain
silent. and are now fearlessly telling the
truth as the Richmond Times does in the
article alluded TO.
The great trouble in the South is that
60 large a portion of the masses are
more easily reached and swayed by dem
agogs than by enlightened and progressive
statesmen. The demagog appeals to their
Ignorance and prejudces, and against
these tho arguments addressed to reason
and judgment are in vain. One statement
in the article from the Times Will sur
prise many northern men. 1t Is that
which declares that the Republicans Will
carry a few Virginia districts where
there are but few negroes, but wherever
the negroes are in the majority Demo-
cratic congressman will be elected" Those
who are conversant with political con-
ditions in the South understand why the
Democrats carry the negro districts and
lose those where there are few negroes.
The truth Is that in the former the
whites combine and eliminate the negro
from politics In those districts where
the whites largely predominant the same
tolerance prevails as in tho North and
mon divide politically as they please.
The most significant paragraph in the
Times article Is that in which is shown
how Southern interests and progress are
Handicapped by the influences that domi-
nate the MASSES ard lead them to adopt
false ideas in national politics. The mani
fest certainly that the South is welded
TO the free silver issue is creating dis
trust and clogging the wheels OF progress
and prosperity. Northern capital that
would seek investment in the South by
scores OF millions is restrained ut
makes no difference" says the Richmond
paper. "how promising the enterprise
may be there will be but one answer-we
Will not consider the subject until after
the election" 1t might be supposed that
such statements coming from leading
Southern newspapers would open the eyes
OF the people Of that section TO their own
interests, but no such result follows. But
II Southern journals of high character
ana pronounced ability, like the Richmond
Times, the Louisville Courier-Journai ana
the New Orleans Picayune will only per-
severe they will sooner or later prove
more than a match for the demagoss
who now control the people by appeaS 10
their ignorant preiudices.
our Pennsylvania contemporary does
not understand the true condition oil
things in the South, and. therefore, does
not understand the spirit of The Times
article. II Is a long story, the causes
that have led up 10 present conditions
in this section.
Prior TO the war the South was exclu-
sive. Her people lived to themselves,
cultivated their broad acres with slaves,
produced largely their own supplies at
home, and had little dealing with the
people OF the North. They were a proud.
high-strung people; chivalrous. generous,
liberty-ioving, and the man who would
deprive them OF their rights had to fight
for his victory. There was 10 their lexi-
con no such word as submit.
The war came on. There was a bloody
struggle OF four years. and the Southern
lnea, such Of them as survived. came
out OF the war impoverished and deeply
grieved. but not broken In spirit. The
Northern people had not only waged
their war against them. conquered and
disfranchised them. had not only set the
slaves free, but put the ballot into the
freedmen's hands. and Northern adven-
turers came down hero 20 organize The
negro forces and TO marshal them out
eksinst shsix former pSnsxs. The1s