New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-03
REPUBLICANISM IN THE SOUTH.
A GROWING TIDE OF FEELING IN FAVOR OF THE
ppyNcrpr nc OF, THE prpr-prrcAS PARTY
New-York. May 81. 1899.


PRINCIPLES OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: During a recent trip through part or
the Southern States in the interest OF the Tarin
Commission League. / was much surprised 10
find the great change that had taken place IN
the opinions OF the people OF that section IN
regard TO things political since my previous
visits there in years past
To-day find a surprisingly large proportion OF
the business men and politicians as well Demo-
Gratis in name only. and openly advocating the
principles Of the Republican party.
Sitting at the dinner table one day. at the Var
mouth House. Raleigh, y. c. surrounded by
nine Democrats. several of them members
Of the State Legislature. conversation drifted
to politics, when one OF the gentlemen said TO
me that he was an officer in Pickett's brigade Of
Longstreets division at the time of the surren-
der: that before they separated to go TO their
homes on parole Longstreet called them all
around him and said TO them: Gentlemen, the
war is over. and we now go to our homes to
commence life over again and under entirely diff
ferent circumstances. and l propose to Join my
fortunes with the Republican party; and want
to say to you that II you don't do likewise many
Of you will live to see the day when YOU will see
your mistake"
Said he: We separated. and none Of US took
his advice; but want to say to you that have
lived TO see our mistake. for. had we followed
him, we would have had no carpet-bagsers
down here during reconstruction; nor would
we have had the negro question on our hands
to-day: and every one at the table freely ad-
mitted that he was right and that the south
suffering to-day from the mistake made al
that time.
I replied by telling them that there had never
been a time before nor would there be as good
a time again for many years TO come, to correct
that mistake as there was at the present time
that the old questions which had separated the
building UP OF the great manufacturing indus
tries of the South, and that | had found tnat
the North and the South were unit on those
issues Now why don't you get together next
spring Join the Republican party, elect the best
business men you have as delegates 10 the he
publican National Convention. piedged 70 VII
lam Mckinley for PRESIDENT ana Geneidi rItL
hugh Lee for Nice-President. then pitch In ana
elect them with such a majority as no Presl-
dent ever had. and you have Immediately set
tied the negro question as far as politics is
concerned. for then the President would nave
plenty Of good men to select for Federal ofhces.
without appointing a single negro.
The unanimous reply to this was that with
such a ticket in the field on the st. Louis plat
form and expansion North and South Carolina
would be as solidly Republican as Pennsyl-
vania.
During my trip / interviewed over one hun
bred and fifty prominent men, including manu-
facturers merchants, politicians and editors, In
Virginia, North and South Carolina and Georgia.
and in every instance the opinion was that such
a ticket would cary majority OF the Southern
States: and many Of them promised their hearty
support If such movement was started
s r. ARCHER.
Secretary and Treasurer the Tariff Commission
League.
Newark, n. j., May 81. 1899. 49,,