The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-02-06
1nrr M1srrrkrsrNr re sovra.
Livinsston of Georgia Says That the SEN
ators Who Oppose tho Peace treaty
DO Not Represent Southern Sentiment.

Livingston of Georgia Says That the Sem
ators who Oppose tho Peace Treaty
DO Not Represent Southern Sentiment.
WARRINGTON. Feb. 5.-Judec Ieonidas +.
Livingston. Representative In Congress from
the Fifth Georgia district. has addressed the
following letter to the editor OF The suN:
SIR; In your editorial in to-day's the
following IL maniiestly unfair, hurtful and to
BIO deplored by every patriotic ex-Confederate
and Southern Democrat:
ITO The SOUTH.
I'VE have to see the things before us. The most
striking thing in sight At this moment IL y group or
statesmen from the old Confederate States. polt
icaliy known 40 Democrats. ar1pyed without a single
argument that would have weight IN any rational
! mind against the Administration. which Is seeking
honorably to end n successful war with a foreign
country. These men make up the bulk OF the OPP
position TO the treaty.
UNLESS the old Confederate States irduce their
representatives in the Senate TO dcsist from their
reasonable attitude before the treaty Ia voted on
tomorrow. they will wear again a stigma of dis
credit akin TO the one under which they suffered
for years, and which n happy county recently be-
lieved had been forever enaced. The umeis short.
Whatever may be the motive or excuse on
the part OF southern Senators for their Efforts
to defeat the ratification OF the treaty. one
thing IL clear. In my opinion. and that Is that
they do not represent Southern sentiment in so
doing. Whatever Southern opinion may be as
to the final disposition OF the Philippines and
Porto Rico. I undertake to say that Southern
Democrats are distinctly in favor OF eliminating
Spain from all concern and participation IN the
matter OF final settlement. This can only be
done by ratifyinR the treaty, and when the
issue Is presented to the masses OF the South
who compose the Democratic party. you VIII
have no cause to complain OF the want, OF
patriotism or loyalty to true Democratic policy
THE old Confederate States haye recently
given the highest evidence OF their loyalty and
patTiotism, and are not, and shoa1d no t, ee.
Senators may do. until the, time and oppor-
tnaity come, for them to elthsr afirm or dis,
referred TO IN your editorial.
THE South has been struggling for these
long years to build up her waste places and
country OF which all. north. cast and west.
influence and respectabliity to;the whole coun;
try. And not less Is It the purpose OF the old
Gon nnias Hish st Ate br tS Tye i u, p ot%er a %sset d%ssi
And, now comes the threat that unless the old
Confesdserate states betweca this and toim9r,
again wear a stigma OF discredit akin to the
III. as charged, that our Senators are in a
reasonable attitude. he true, why not seek an
tiifyy their constituency with their 'treasonabie
ocrats IN the old Confederate states'2 II You
lantn Constitution OF Feb. 3. you will find a
G%lear.cut expression OF one OF the most potent
Democratic Southern newspapers disappearing
the courss Of such Senators as you refer to.
ON the front, page Of the same Issue you
the House OF Representatives from Georgia.
strongly disappearing the fight on the treaty;
be mentioned on the same line. and many
other members OF the House from the old
Confederate States could be named who dis
approve Of the course OF certain southern Sem
ators. think your charges, against Senators
able to answer for Themselves to their
constituents; and before them they must
indorse your charge OF reasonable attitude
on their part, or to explain or to mitigate what
is. in my opinion. a serious blunder on their
part. but simply to enter my protest to such
unfair and damaging utterances by a great
metropolitan newspaper, against a section of
formation that the masses OF the old Confed-
crate states, should again wear a stigma OF
discredit.' The masses OF the old Confederate
States would vote to-day for the ratification Of
the treaty for Sc yeral reasons:
First. to end the war: second. eliminate
Spain in the settlement with the islands Of
that in the settlement between this country
and these islands the United, States Govern
ment. through Congress. would be in shape to
free and Independent OF the former conditions
that 80 long kept them In slavery and ignor-
crease our influence for good over the whole OF
interest; Give the old Confederate States JUS
c%riticise all the people for what a few may do.
Neither Senators nor Representatives compose
1@e D @if6 consp R raey Sc Re do mot not cha charge soo the
or later the skies will clear and THE Sun will
be SATISFIED. l.. LIVINGSTON"