Year: 1879

MODESTY OF THE SOLID ScCTR


Congressman Singleton, OF Mississippi, is
frank and outspoken representative of the
Solid South and of the Democratic party as
its willing instrument. In his conversation
with TRIBUNE correspondent published
Yesterday he undoubtedly spoke the
sentiments of the leaders of the Mis-
sissippi Democracy and of the party generally
throughout the South. A Northern Democrat
would hardly be so candid; indeed, we are
disposed TO think that most Northern Demo
erals would take issue with the gentleman as
to some of his statements, which seem to
be based upon the assumption that
the Democratic party has no other
object than to put the South in control of
the Government and devote all the power of
the Nation to building up that section and
making good its direct and indirect losses by
the war. But it would he only a protest, in
yolving no permanent difference or division.
Northern Democrats may think they have
some other objec. in view; that their success
would mean something different from what
MIR. Singleton points out and that Northern
Democrats would not permit victory of
their party to he used simply for Southern





Singleton is right He knows whereof he
speaks when he defines the principles of the
party AS concident with the interests and pur-
poses of its altogether heaviest end. His ut
terances may not be deemed polite by his
Northern allies. but they cannot deny that the
history of the party justIfies them. For
twenty-five years the Democratic party at the
North has had no reason for being except as
an ally Of the Solid South--tOo weak to ac-
compsh anything by itself, but willing to do
the work of the South for share of the Off
cial plunder. Mr.. Singleton knows his party.


He frankly tells us that there Is not the
slightest chance for the Republicans to carry
q single Southern State, because, be says,
1.-The property and intelligence of the South
:" are bound to rule" and they have the negro
votes now and mean to keep them. There
twill be no more buldozing." he says. "The
"day for that has passed. OF course there
"are cases of it now and then, but they are
exceptional and becoming less frequent"
That is to say, bulldozng will be given
mn because it has done its work and is
no longer necessary. "Of course "-and 1t
il well enough To note the significance
of the "of course There will be cases
of # here and there. but as settled practice
# is to be abandoned. The negroes have set
tied to their place. The property and in
"telligencer are at the top, as before the war
and Just "a before the war, the property and
"intelligencen enumerate the negroes for
voting purposes-with the advantage that each
negro counts one now instead of q frac-
tion-and increase their representation in
Congress. Here we have one result of the
war from the Mississippi point of view; a
South still solidly Democratic with the vote
given the negro for his protection practically
annulled for all the good 1t may do him, and
actually increasing the strength OF the men
IL was to protect him against. With the
South thus solidlfied. rs Mr.. Singleton says,
go that not a Southern State can b. auy pos
slbity be carried by the Republicans, he feels
very hopeful of Democratic success in 1850.
Whoever Is nominated. he says, will carry
every Southern State


And then7 Well, the South is now prosper
ing. Her cotton crop has increased, her MN
oral resources are being developed. and
manufactures are springing up. The outlook
for the future is encouraging All we ask,r
sovs Mr. Singleton, " is that you let us alone
"and take your hands off our pockets, and
"reneal the odious tariff laws which grind
"us with taxes of so per cent on every manu-
&" "factured article in use. That is all we ASK
of course, he adds, they would like approprIa-
tions TO develop their railroad system and i'm
nroye their rivers and harburs, as they have
only received S59, 900 200, while 800, 600, 600
have been expended in the North-and they
would like to have the bondhoders taxed.
Merely that. It's mistake, "he says, d" to think
that the South wants TO rule this country
4" she simply desires peace and an opportunity
9" to prosper We seem to have heard some
thing like this before. They never wanted to
rule the country; only to be let alone. To
sum ND: The South doesn't want to rule the
country "the property and intelligence" of the
South. whose aggressions compelled the abolition
of slavery and eniranchise of the blacks,
only want to be let alone while they put
down all opposition with the shotgun, and
with the aid of their Northern allies actually
do rule the country; and then they only want
the General Government to build their
railroads and develop their resources !;
and to have the tariff altered so
that they can get their manufactured goods
cheap and sell their cotton fol- good prices !;
and to have the bonds taxed-that is, have the