New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-12
PLEA FOR WHITES OF THE SOUTH.
IaE EXISTING REASONS FOR DEMOCRATIC
soLIDITY AS INTERPRETED BY
A SOUTHERNER
A sOUTHERNER.

TO the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: Doubtless plea the whites of The South
will seem a curious thing. when the vast amount
of political demagoguery that is written about the
downtrodden blacks of this section is remembered.
However 1t is well that our brothers Of the North
should understand position and help out OF
dilemman
The respectable Southern gentleman Is just as
much opposed to the socialistc and popustic
timents that have been foisted upon the Democratic
party by Bryan Altgeld Tlman ct al. as are the
people OF the North. and detests them with equal
fervor and is fully in accord with the sentiment
that the advancement of the country depends upon
placing the reins of in the hands of
who represent the substantial interests of the
country.
The effort to stir up the masses into hatred and
vindictiveness against capital repulsve to
people of the better class The efforts Governor
Johnson of Alabama ncite the populace meets
with nothing but disgust from the caste of
society Free silver and Organism equally de-
tested. In a canvass OF one hundred whites, taken
they came without selection, 1 found only nine
who in sympathy with the doctrines that are
preached and heralded throughout the country as
the dogmas of Democracy. Why then is
solid vote cast in the South continually for the
Democratic party? And by what means shall 1t be
broken? Why should the element Of the South
who Wings now not vote with the
party that Is in line with their former politics but
vote with the Democrats?
To begin with, then, will state that Of the one
hundred men whom interviewed not one will vote
the Republican ticket Twenty-Five will not vote
and the remainder will vote for the Democratic
party, and under existing conditions I would under
no consideration vote the Republican ticket WHY
this discrepancy between the sympathy and the
vote? 1t Is a question that it will pay the Repub-
hcan leaders to ponder upon. If properly managed
there will be Solid South
The first reason is sectional feeling The Demo-
cratic party was the dominant party of the Con-
iederacy' though no soldiers fought more bravely
for their native States than did the gallant Wings.
Inc gentlemen OF the South after the war con-
tnued in the Democratic fold for sectional rea sons
and for combined effort against the carpet bag
pohtician The Democratic party became the sig
nal light, the protector from the spokesman: for
this reason ii earned the and devotion of every
true son of the South. However, the Democratic
party, with its foolscap and comparisons of social
ISM is the old Democratic party only in name
Organism is a fungoid growth that overshadows
ana hides the true party. As long the party was
headed by Cleveland Carlisle Thurman and others
no Southerner would vote against it.
In the second place, there is the negro question;
the republican party has intrusted the manage
ment of its affairs in the South to Garnet bar"
PontIciahs as rule 0hough there are some noble
eAcepIons) and negroes, or a combination of the
blacks in order to make any show Of political
them The policy thus far has been TO pander TO TO
the bill introduced in Congress to re " the re MAS
S Sentauo9 IN the South In those States that
from negro rule. This course viii ever deter the
iSSgroa1t l5o1 voting according to their best
tune Northern people cannot understand the de-
heart Is the thought Of being ruled by their former
Now the days of sectional feeling are nassod
Inc war has been over for onethird of century
South is as true 70 the Uon m g3T 6 that the
That war has made it most propitious time for
people have rejuVenated and aTe a me southern
people
federal Offices to be filled. Therefore 'carpef-bag
ana the hatred TOWARD conscientious Republicans
An era of good feeling and Willingness n allow
s UG 70 enIeftaln his own political views without
Is most suitable for the rghting of the wrong c6p
G me h by the Republicans that the souRerner
question is the negro one, that Of having ne eaG
IN me , vital issue upon which the whole condition
stare their views on the subject because they
out the assurance OF the as ms and with
ein whites as to the ruling faction of the party IN
tt hs{ % %Gr be lose ths RTesEe Though
speak out his views this subject "01'u ike 10
!, me leading Newspapers all over the South are
reason can go no further than to cry down the ev
Sstnte poticia0s 1 b BrEXanlsm etc Cannot the
t timesI Can they not furnish some political Moses
viii be recognized in he se r3ters OF the South
the government. Let them encourage such Ia v,a
as will free the Southern States by new constdtn
tons or otherwise. of the fear of negro donnine
ton. Let their appointments be made to Federal
ounces outside OF negroes and pecunfary politicai
Repubicans Let the assurance be given that
white Southern men will have voice in the party
councils, and there VIII be such a rush to aASiate
with our brothers of like faith in the North tbef
there VIII be Solid South but the country VIII
be divided as II should be, upon different poiticai
views and not upon sectional lines
Mobile, Ala, Jan. o. 1900.
SORRY HE WROTE BEN BOLT"