The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-08-08
WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 8, 1900.
WHY THE SOUTH is SOLID.

Our able and always interesting cen
temporary, the New York Sun, prints in
its Issue of last Sunday a long and rather
been taken for the disfrdnchisement OF
the negro in the South. The Sun editori-
ally refers 10 this subject and describing
the Solid South as "a real danger. says:
That group of States the OLD Southern
Confectionery is practically distinct from
the rest OF the Union in being wholly UNI
Influenced politically by the great queS-
tions Of national policy which divide pub
lie sentiment so sharply in all the other
States. AT the same time. however, intel
ligent Southern men have opinions on
these subjects no less decided than those
held elswhere In the Union, but they are
restrained from giving them public and
political expression and usually from re-
yealinE them even in private speech by the
pressure OF the intolerant sentiment about
them"
Some weeks ago the Sun in considering
the conference for the discussion Of the
race problem which was held at Montgom-
cry In the month of May, said:
The Southern States especially need to
command the approval. and to convince
the judgment of the Northern States by
their political policies and methods, be-
cause from the North comes the chief
part Of the capital which Southern in
dustrles must depnd for their development,
and capital is secured only by gaining its
confidence through fair and wise govern
ment and the elimination and destruction
OF the sectional prejudice, which is only
another name for provincial feeling 1t
has no liberation for inherited prejudiceS
and enmides, for heart burnings over a
lost c3nSe' afraid of
marl1s first OF all harmony and dominant
feeling Of nationality. So long, therefore
as We have what is called the Solid
South or group Of States which vote
solidiy on one side whatever the Issue. 50
that practically there Is no political dis
cussion in them, the group sesresates it
self from the nation with results Injurious
TO itself and dangerous to the rest
Verify, the fathers have eaten sour
grapes and the children's teeth are set on
edge" If the Republican party undertook
to preserve the Government and to estab-
fish itself in power by the reconstruction
acts of 1867. they certainly laid the founda-
ton for many of the political disasters
which have befallen our country since.
With a blind and cruel disregard of the
dearest feelings and best interests of tho
Southern people. and indeed Of the whole
Union, they proceeded two years after the
war was over, upon the assumption that
the States were enemies country" to ex-
ercise the right of the conqueror as ex-
pressed by Mr.. Fessenaen. both to change
the form Of government and to punish
The principle of reconstruction which had
been forecast by Mr.. Lincoln was thrown
10 the winds. and 1t was resolved to estab-
lish Governments In the Southern States
based mainly upon the negro vote. To
accomplish this every Southern man who
had held any Office OF any kind. from con-
stable to Governor. either under State or
Federal authority. and had sided with his
State in the great civil conflict, was dis
franchised. and every male negro. twenty
one years of age, who had been In the
country for one year, was given the right
to vote. The consequence was that all
those men to whom the Southern people
had been accustomed to look for guidance
sserc removed from their councils. while
the control Of the Government was prac-
Ecally put In the hands Of the Tepresen-
knew their right hand from their left. and
IN the South Atlantic States spoke glib
ber1sh which was unintelngible to persons
NOT accustomed TO the African lingo of the
plantation.
This revolution was deliberately planned
and executed by the Republican party for
their own benefit. and for the punishment
OF the people OF Coatederacy. ana tho
result was the formation of State Goyern-
rnents. which Immediately proceeded to
plumber the people wholesale. Negroes. in
cited by abandoned white men. rode riot
over their former masters. and with trucu-
lent afronte,., declared that ..the bottom
rau Vas now on top" Tho robbery Of the
etats Governments was not 90 intoierab,e
- shs ovsEbsaf!ng manner OF negro ON
Gals and their alien caTpet-haS allies TO.
the proud AnGlo.SaxonS who had wvested
shelr liberties from Great Britain. had been.
psnlsaDas ~ fFsninE the Constitution Of