The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-11-19
TWO OLD LIES p,srRovED.

II
| .na IN Georgia give the lie 90 two stories
| that. emanatirg from different sources
have teen widely accented. The hrs'
! IL that thp young man has NO chance OF
nreferNont Ga The Democratic party N
the South, that all the places Of honor NJ
| a. The az. Confederate soldiers who belong
| 90 4 past ago aud are concerned with
dead assures. Tie election Of \, =. Clat'
tho son az A plouahman, who left school
| "A late ns 1876, to succeed ''en. John y.
Gordon 20 the senate disproves the idea
that Young men do not have 4 fair
.hau,,e IN che south. Gen, Gordon Was
not candidate FOR reelection. it ~ true
but he could not have been chesen if he
had deglnod il. lie stood with AIR. Glove-
land On The financial question and that
ended his political career. He was wise
cnonxh 10 see Il aud TO gracefully keep
out OF the contest Mr.. Clay stood early
and actively fer the financial policies en-
bodied In the Chicago platform, and II Is
10 his position ON this question, more
than 10 his active work as State chairman,
that he owes his elevation to the Senate.
Ii was no victory OF the young man Ia
politics over the brave Confederate chief
tain. Ii was victory for the financial
measures which are needed for the gen
eral welfare.
In Alabama. the issue was the same
as in Georgia, the money question being
predominant, but in Alabama an hon
ored and brave ex-Confederate, Gen.
Pettus, was called from long retirement
to take seat in the Senate, thus dis
proving the other lie that the young men
are displacing all the strong men who
were leaders in the struggle of 1S61-'65.
He was net chosen because Of his record
as y soldier any more than Gen. Cor
don was defeated because of his brilliant
money question threatened to divide and
defeat the Alabama Democracy, Gen.
pcttus stepped to the front and left his
quiet life to become the leader of the
silver forces. 1t was largely due to his
wisdom and work that the Democracy
of Alabama gave out the clear ring that
made its delegation solid in the National
convention and that kept the State in the
Democratic column. Senator Pugh had
been true to silver, but it was Gen. Pettus
who held the fort when Herbert and
IN cartd a
divided delegation to the Chicago con-
vention. He called the people back to the
ancient landmarks of Democracy, and
headed the solid silver delegation that
went to the National convention. 1t was
the first convention held, and its moral
effect was of great value. His service
then, added to his vigorous campaign,
coupled with his ability and scholarship,
gave him the Senatorship. He richly
deserved the honor. 1t is pleasant to re-
feet that this reward came not from self
seeking. In 1874, Gen. Pettus was Of
fered the Senatorship, but declined it,
prefarring to fight the battle of his people
against the black hosts that threatened
| to destroy the civilization Of Alabama.
Though he was judge before the war,
Gen. Pettus has steadfastly refused
Office, preferring in his long and eyentful
| life to remain in the ranks of the party.
He has been chairman OF the committee
on resolutions in every Democratic State
convention since the war and has written
every Democratic platform. At the last
convention Gen. Pettus took a great pride
| in writing the resolutions that held the
party to the Jacksonian principles Of bi.
| metallsm. There is no section of the coun-
| try where devotion to principle meets
| surer reward than in the South, nor one
where young men of ability have better
chances of promotion. Nor is there one
where there is less idea among the young
| men of crowding out the old men simply to
make room for young men. These two
/ incidents of this week afford a happy
| proof OF these two facts.