New-York tribune., 1901-02-03
MR. MACKNIGHTs LETTER.


No other purpose ia view in the calling
OF a Constitutional Convention for the present
year. and Republicans throughout the South are
speculating on the probable effects Of this legs-
ation, which has been looked upon generaIH
as retrogressive and, in manner destructive
At the outset il may be stated as a certainty
that in the South il is believed the Republican
party viii be strengthened and benefited In the
End by the limitations of the franchise now pro-
posed and already accomplished. AT first sight
their reason for this belief is not clear, but IL
becomes SO on closer examination.
The solid South is already honeycombed
with Republican ideas and new grown faith in
Republican policies. Everywhere in these days
you hear the common people saying: we always
have good times when the Republican party is
in power al Washington, and bad times when
the Democrats are in power"
In the recent Presidential campaign several
counties in this State gave substantial majori-
ties for the Mckinley electors, while supporting
the Democratic STATE ticket And il the
universal sentiment among the substantial people
OF the State that the success Of the Republican
party was devoutly to be wished for The most
influential newspapers Of the State-'The Mont
gOmery Advertiser and The Birmingham
News"-Rhe nOmnally Democratic, came out
broadly against Bryan and in favor OF Nc
Kinley, on the ground that the business inter-
ests OF their constituents could not afford the
disturbance and uncertainty which must inevi-
tably result from the election Of the former
Under this policy the circulation Of these
papers. and OF others which took the same view.
was greatly increased, and they may be practi-
oally regarded to-day permanent bulwarks
OF Republican national policy in the South.
Industries growing up rapidly throughout
the South, the success Of which is largely, II not
wholly, dependent upon the maintenance OF Re
publican policies and permanent and steady
u financial system. The ruin which would sweep
over these enterprises from any sudden and
violent disturbance OF either OF these conditions
would resemble the havoc made by the hurri-
cane at Galveston. This important fact is deep
~ impressed upon the minds OF all those enter
prising men--thousands Of whom are of South
ern birth-who have embarked their brains skill
and capital in the development OF their sections
marvellous resources. Ii is becoming daily more
familiar 10 the small farmers and landowners
10 the artisans and TO those who earn their
livelihood by daily toll.
Some Of the results are right on the surface
where all may them. Wages have almost
doubled i'm many pursuits in the last three years
ana thousands OF men who were helplessly idle
al the beginning OF that period are now en-
ployed steadily at good pay. This is not only
true Of the Birmingham district bur II is eouallV
so OF all the cities aud towns Of this State and
other states, ana has i'm many places spread
out into the country districts.
Birmingham's growth has been phenomenal
Nothing TO approach il has been seen in
the United States in recent years. The census
reports snow that the city nearly doubled in
population In the last ten years. But that is
only an index to the story. The amount OF
capital invested in great ,nterprises-coal, iron
steer ana lnanufacturing-has been Quadrupled,
and IN merchandising and banking the increase
mas been enormous The greater proportion of
this increase has come since Mckinley was
elected President and all the people OF Alabama
are becoming aware of the fact.
Now, the bearing OF all this on the race prob
lem ana on the political situation is not far
10 seek. Eliminate the race problem ana the
white voters viii divide. OF their own ACCORD on
party lines Even the old Bourbon Democracy
Whlch VIII always seek to maintain it's suprenn-
acy IN state affairs, will largely vote for Repub-
ucan policies IN the Nation so long as n helieves
mat II can foster and promote its business inter-
looking for light. They have not had much as
But they are waking I'D Within the lsst
year or more many OF them have made trims 10
the cltes-a thing they have never done hereto
~ ,tnJ y Ihey are putting little furniture into
ulSE s csblhs, ana IN many cases replacing their
cabins by comfortable cottages They are in
PRODUCING lamps into their homes. and striving
70 give lhelf children at least knowledge OF
reading and writing, the lack OF which thev are
peginning 70 feel lPeenly IN their own case
Thousands Of these common neople" are syrou,-
ing restive under the domination OF a "rulinr
class, who have always directed them with
soinethlng of menace in their tone 10 vote
sohd Tor the Democracy in order 20 prevent
negro asoendency. They begin 10 see the strings
which have so long moved thai- frightfui huga-
ooo and the virtual disfranchisement Of the
negro VIII give il the coup de grace. They are
beginning to think ana act for themselves
rhey are naturally liberty loving and indie
pendent spirited people. The time for keeninE
them down as the white trash has naSsaS
and, with the negro bugaboo forever silenced
ana laid away. they viii find their natural place
strong leaning
Negro leaders and representatives OF negro
thougnt ike Booker T. Washington and Pro-
fessor Council. have long held that the right 20
vote is really demoralizing and damaging to
either negroes or whites who have no Intelligent
realization Of the obligations OF citizenship
That there are many such Of both races in the
south, as well as in other parts OF the country
nobody questions II may he that only the ie-
norant negroes can be disfranchised I'm the
South, While the ignorant whites VIII he ac-
corded their full rights as citizens-so long as
they vote the Democratic ticket
But mat even ignorant whites wlil long sub
NIT 20 the dictation under which thev have li,,e5
IN the past Is not 10 be expected The leaveD
Is al work The intelligent classes are breaking
away trom the leading strings and driving
strings or the Bourbon bosses and the day is al
hahu when those who are less favored nv eSuca-
ton tio Sho fortune win support, at least in Ma
rona analrs, the party which has recently
Drought them relief from intOlerable burdens
and depression. and which offers them hone
ana Independence for the future
Alahama viii. most probably be the first no
me one ola confederate States 20 join the Republi-
can ranks OF It's own free win and accord This
cnanee VIII come soon or late according 20 the
wisdom and honesty OF the REPUBLICAN leaders
OF the state. who are now divided and haqpi,bs
with enthusiastic recruits under fhe innna,,,s
which has been given by improved cordi,Sors
that are universally ascribed 20 Republican sue
cess. But for the pickering and iealousies
which exist among the rival factions ths
Republican party. with the race problem settled
could soon be made an important force in the
An the South, ana Alabama IN particular. is
In need o, more scholars Thousands among the
rising generation win be. like their fathers
wholly illiterate The habit OF reading cannot
he cultivated among persons who have not