The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-12-10
Reduction Of Southern Repre-
sentation,

i v ~ + Il ! 40 s x L e y
Editor Of Tho Times-Dispatch CHI:
Sir,-I fancy one has Il fear that. tho
Republican, party will reduce Southern
representation In Congress. Let nm dls-
miss It as a. chinera. II tho Republican
parts, feared Southern representation 1t
would not hesitate to reduce, or even
wipe 1t out altogether because that party
has tho courage OF It's convictions >and u
does notFhcsitate to carry them out re SO
lutely and ruthessly. It may wear q
velvet glove, but aunderreath Is, when nee
cssnry, an iron hand. If that party real /
Ny feared Sonsfcrn re7resent;Ltaon, ~
would proceed much more summary
than it is now proceeding. It might, for
example. and probably It would, declare
that on Il account of DISTINGUISHING lcgls-
lation the Southern States were not lir-
der n Republican form OF government.
and that therefore 1t should not be rep
or government were restored by repeal OF
DISTINGUISHING legislation confessedly aim
ed at a numerous class of citizens.
But the Republican party has no fear
whatever of Southern Representations, nor
would it We're that representation IN
creased as much as Mr. Platt purposes 70
reduce It.. On the contrary. Southern rep
resentation. q It nov stands that IS
solid as regards negro disfranchlsenenit,
is tho best asset the Republican party
possesses, because "Soid South is q
sure ra1lying cry to enable It to carry The
remainder Of the country. and thus con- ,
Stnue It Empower. No greater peri, could
Rpubliean sod
arity, and 1t is to the. Interest Of the
Republican party to do all in its power
to keep the South solid. becauso-TWltn
Il solid South Triumphant Democracy
means, In the eyes OF the people, North
and West. the reign Of Southern Brlsa-
sdiers,,,' the dread OF which acts upon them
+ like a red flag upon an Infatuated bull:
Solid South and Southern Brigadlers'
are trump cards that can always tbe re-
lied upon to Win. /.
IS No; the Republican party has no real
Intention of reducing Southern represent
gtation. why. then the persistent demand
for reduction? Simply buncombe Fol.
were warm friends, and one day after
Blaine had made a bitter and violent
speech against the South, Withers said
to him, blaine, why did you make such
q sretscl1?" oh" replied Blaine, s1nllinsly
that was for home consumption"
Now the negro vote In the great States
or New York. Indiana and New Jersey is
great enough to turn tho scale and there
fore 1t must be placated, and It is cheaper
to placate It by demanding punishment
of the South for DISTINGUISHING negroes
than to divide the spells with 1t.
When Durham Wood comes to Dunsi-
name will be time enough to feel appre-
ahension about reductlonof Southern rep
Tresentatio
Z But a much more important question
to the South is: Is it wise for the South,
while bearing more than Its share Of tho
burdens Of the Union, TO remain practl-
6cally out Of the Union. with no voice. In
Its councils, and therefore enjoying few
of its benefits, by sacrificing its all upon
tho altar OF the chimerical white su-l
Eprenlacy which really never has, except
E for Il short period Immediately aftcr4thc
war, and then only in three States, been
endangered and which would still stand
were every DISTINGUISHING
law repealed. 5s.if
At present the Solid South stands q
stranger in the house Of Its fathers, and
absolutely helpless to prevent any I in
justice or even outrage that the Repub-
llcan party should resolve to heap upon
1t, and yet the man that ventures to
looked upon askance II not as nltraitor.