kind out of business.
Thousands of Southern men can whip me out of my boots on any issue
outside of abusing the 'nigger.' That's where I can go them one better.
Haven't you observed the universal lament that we are not up to the
standard in point of statesmanship. The trouble is we ride into our
kingdoms so easily. It don't take a genius to persuade a people that you
can beat a more tender-hearted man keeping a 'nigger' in his place. We
machine men in the South don't want this 'nigger' bugaboo put down. It's
our war whoop."

"Aside from the political use to which you put your announced views on
the race question, you really believe them, don't you?" asked Earl.

"O yes. I think the good of the world demands that the 'nigger' be kept
in his place," replied the governor.

"Now, I am getting to the point," said Earl. "Lincoln once said our
country could not always exist half slave and half free. You see he was
right. Now a lesser light than Lincoln tells you that the policy of
repression must obtain in all our country or none, for the nationalizing
spirit is at work, and is sure in time to produce a national unity of
some sort. Shall this unity, so far as touches the question of the
races, be upon the Northern or Southern basis, is a very live question
for you Southerners. Now I suggest that you Southern people make this
question a national one."

"How can we raise the issue," asked the governor.

"Easily. You people have been tolerating Negroes in federal positions
down here for years. Collectorships of ports, marshalships and numerous
positions of honor have all along been held by Negroes. Become tired of
this and demand that they be withdrawn. That will be an invitation to
the nation to join with you in your policy of repression."

"Good! Good!" said the governor, clapping his hands.

"You can go further. The presidency of our nation is where the
copartnership of the states finds conspicuous concrete expression.
Demand that none but a repressionist or a man silent on that question
be allowed to occupy that chair."

"Good! Good! Good!" exclaimed the governor.

"Now as to your chances. The race instinct is in the North, but is not
cultivated as much as it is in the South. Send your men to the North who
are most adroit in their appeals to prejudice and you will find a force
there to join you. Then remember you Southerners sprang to arms so
gallantly in that skirmish with Spain that you made a fine impression.
I