While interested in manufactures and farming, the South has not overlooked or forgotten its public schools, and is able to present a very encouraging progress in this direction. It cannot and does not claim that it has yet been able to do all that it would like. The illiteracy that slavery, war and misrule left behind still prevails and defies the resources of the South to overcome, but that it is doing its duty, that it is moving onward in education, is shown in the following figures of the amount expended by the several States for their public schools:

The following comparison gives some idea of the educational

progress that has already been made:

THE PROGRESS OF THE SOUTH.

These figures speak for themselves. We know of no better way of presenting the development-industrial, agricultural, educational and otherwise-of the South than by a simple comparison of 1888 with 1880, which will show it in a manner that all can understand:

Nothing that I could say would add strength to the marvellous exhibit made by these figures of the unequalled resources of the South. Most of these are latent and undeveloped, but the Southern people, if undisturbed, will, by their pluck and energy, develop all these resources and thus add untold millions to the wealth of the country. It is for our

fellow-citizens of the North to say whether this career of prosperity is to continue or whether it is to be blasted. Democratic rule will insure to the South peace, prosperity and wealth, with all these blessings reacting on the North; a return to Republican domination will bring absolute ruin to the fairest portion of the country and will thus bring disaster to the whole country.

CHAPTER XIV.

AIMS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

HON. BENTON MCMILLIN, M. C.

HE Democratic party is founded upon the idea that the

THE

people are capable of governing themselves. It believes, in the language of the Constitution, that

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States, respectively, or to the people.

Wherever that party has doubted its constitutional right to act it has wisely declined action. Hence all legislation of doubtful constitutional authority, looking to an abridgment of the right of the citizen, or to a destruction of the rights of the States, has been resisted by the Democratic party. How sadly we have encroached in some respects upon these principles! Take our election laws as an example. During the years of Democratic rule the people were left to control their own elections. No federal interference either prevented or perverted the exercise of the elective franchise. But in an evil hour a different principle was adopted. The people had become accustomed to the use of forceful measures in war times, and taking advantage of this fact, the Republican party, then in power, not only