Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1904-11-23
Co.,
END OF THE SOLID SOUTH.

In commenting upon the results OF
the recent election, the st. Louis
Globe Democrat says:
Republican Missouri has served no.
tice upon what is called the solid
south that the political significance of
the phrase has passed away. Includ-
ing Kentucky and Tennessee, the
democratic states Of the south COM
prise but 1873 electoral votes in the
total of 476, and it is evident that no
southern combination can be formed
hereafter that could give that section
a dominating place. That dream is
over The interests Of the country
ton outside the south so great that
the delivery Of 1873 democratic cleo
toral votes in solid block is inef-
fective in itself and also arouses a
decisive antagonism. Each state in
the south, as elsewhere, has the I'M
questioned right to restrict it's suffr-
age along constitutional lines, by
educational, property or other require
ments. Therefore, the south in reality
has nothing to fear in the matter Of
suffrage But it must not attempt to
nullify the provisions of the organic
law of the land on the basis of race
A policy of obstinate abstention from
working politics until one race alone
secures exclusive rights at the ballot
box in the United States has become
palpably useless. To pursue it further
is to waste time, strength and oppor-
tunity.
The south is region of exceedingly
rich resources, with but little develop
ment as yet outside of agriculture, and
with great possibilities in all respects.
Take the case of Arkansas, whose
small democratic majority is an indi-
cation that it will join Missouri at no
distant day. The latest edition of a
leading encyclopaedia says that
Arkansas is hardly surpassed in it's
wealth of timber; that it's manufactur-
ing interests have but started; that
valuable water power exists, but is
not largely utilized, which is also the
case with the extensive mineral re-
sources. The description goes on to
say that Lying outside the great cur
rents Of immigration, Arkansas has,
until very recent years, preserved to a
remarkable degree the character of a
frontier country" Yet a great stream
of settlers and newcomers has swept
into the northwestern states, and tens
of thousands of Americans of late
have sought homes on the new lands
of British America rather than go to
the infinitely more genial climate of
the south under present conditions.
If the south chooses to be exclusive
socially and in politics, it must con
tinue to pay the price, which is to see
population and capital flow elsewhere
The policy of voluntary isolation is
costly. A southern sugar planter is
not in favor Of the removal of the
protective tariff on his product, vel
Will not, under any circumstances
vote with the party that prevents the
destruction of his industry. Southern
ers think one way and vote another
provided they vote at all. They carry
on a sort of limited political society
to which no republican is eligible and
which rejects all political issues tina,
republicans put in their platforms
Perhaps it is magnificent, but it is mo-
participation in the affairs of the coun
try Missouri lands will now go up /,
price, because farmer moving in will
not be held at a discount If he is /.
republican. The south will not attrac
the world until its wall OF prejudice,
is BROKEN down. It's present polite
Is g clinging to spent traditions,
complete shutting out Of intelligen
judgment on live issues as they arise
Do republicans favor it," is TIL
southern question. III SO, then W
will none OF II. J" z 5..s /.