The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-09-23
SUNDAY. SEPTEMBER %. 1900.
POLITICAL IDEAS AND MATERIAL
PROSPERITY.

The New York Sun in a temperate and
well-considered article has discussed an
editorial OF The Times on material adj
vantage as a political motive. The dis
cussion is one of long standing. not only
between the Sun and ourselves. but be-
tween the two great parties of America
as well.
erner esteemed some things far more than
mere material advantage; that the promise
OF increased prosperity and of growing
wealth with all that those terms mean
for civilization and happiness and COM
fort which none appreciates more than we
in their right place, have more than once
failed to WIN the support of the Demo-
cratic party In the South when the adj
rancement could only be secured by the
sacrifice Of some cherished or political
ideal. we illustrated this by saying that
nothing could induce the Southern people
to permit social equality with the negroes.
To this the Sun replies at length that no
person or party is trying to force a social
equality with the negro upon the whites.
The Sun contends that political equality
and social equality are not convertible
terms, as they represent essentially diff
ferent things; that the Republican party
has not given, and from the nature of the
case cannot give the negro that social
equality by law which IS denied him by
popular consent. Having established this
:,l ~
start, the Sun expresses profound surprise
that The Times, with its adherence of
free silver and all the misery that de-
based currency implies, should vet hold to
the principles of a party which has put
free silver prominently in its platform.
TIE long experience of the. Sun in poll
tics has doubtless familiarized it with the
fact that there are instincts in parties
no less than in men which cannot be COW
cred by cold rational;sm. For thirty years,
at least. the South has been confronted
with new and terrible problem which
was left It as a legacy Of the war for
States rights. This problem was evolved
by no necessary action of political forces.
1t id not involve the extraordinary
chance that has cast into our power two
islands In the Atlantic and one thousand in
1ile Pacific. 1t was the direct result OF a
we.a-conceired plan on the part Of the
Republican party to put votes into the
hands OF ignorant, illiterate foreigners OF
an alien and Inferior race, not from any
principle of high morality or human jus
e~a,,, Tho c;n :
such a step would furnish the votes In the
Snuf1, which the Republican adn:n:stra-
ton had lost in the North. 1t will not
do now TO say that the Republican party
Is going to allow the South to work cut
ITS own problem in its own way. We have
the memory of the force bill and re re.
member further back the civil fights bill
and we know that had the Republican party
tr!um,ned in its attempt to create a solic
black party in the South, voting at tbs
beck and call of a few white divieers O
Federal spoil, it would inevitably
Surtherance OF its desire have sought &c
create. SO far as 1t may be done by law
a social equality. True an Anglo-Sa1on
home is his castle. and none may enter
save under guise of law without the con
sent of the owner. But ne cannot point
out TOO often TO our fair-minded trends
s. IN the North the actual state OF affairs
recently existing In Eastern North Caro-
l.na when the negroes were placed IN
power by the fusion Of the Populists and
Republicans. There, whether they would
contact with insolent, lawless and inefi-
Client coiored officials The Sun peril.
nenfay Hsks what difference It makes
Whistler you rsas.ys your letter src,n .hs
hands CT cniored postsnsster In the post.
ossscs or from the hands Of colored ser
vant IN your house. It makes this d.t.
Serenca Thatsin the postonice You stand
before IN omrial backed by the Fedora
pouW ~ can ~ and DO Is he chooses