The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-11-24
FOoLHARDY AND MAuCT0Us.


Seldom if ever has a party been con-
frmed in power to the extent which has
taken place in the case Of the Republic
an party without the disposition shown
by its adherents to go to extremes in the
enunciation and execution of partisan pol
icies. That danger now besets the pres
ent administration; and in one direction
at least the indications have been quite
plain of a disposition to yield to the
temptation of resorting to extreme meas
ures in the effort to cripple the opposi-
ton.
Already the prediction is heard that the
coming session of congress will witness
the Introduction of measures to lessen
Southern representation. The South re-
mains in congress the only steadfast sec
ton in attachment to the Democratic rar-
ty and policy It's representatives are
the leaders of Democratic thought and
action. They are numerically but
small proportion of the membership of
either house, and save for the splendid
devotion which they show to their con-
victions and their conceded public recti-
tude and ability, their influence would be
but small indeed
The apportionment of congressional
representation under the new census will
give splendid opportunity to Republic
an politicians to get square with the
Sou h-rn Democrats. More than that; the
excitement which has prevailed concern
ing the passage of laws restricting the
exercise of the franchise in certain South
ern states will offer a strong inducement,
and, in a certain sense at least, a polit-
ical justification for the proposed course.
1t is unfortunately true that the South.
according to the last census, has shown
but a comparatively small increase in
population during the past decade
There will be no such Increase in
congressional representation as will give
that section any more political signifl-
canoe than it has at present. So that any
such action as we hear predicted con-
corning the South in congress and in the
electoral college can be regarded as die
tated by no higher consideration than
that Of plain political malice
Not only will such course be malic-
ious, but it will be fooIhardy. No Re
publican politician who can see beyond
his nose would advise any such course ar
this time. The South has been made
solidIy Democratic by Republican intol-
erance. Before the anti-slavery agita-
ton reached a head, and for many gen
erations before, Southern states now
Democratic were quite strong against
that party. There were many Wing
Southern states, because the Wing policy
was looked on favorably by many South
ern communities. Today there is a pIain
disposition in the South, for instance. to
regard the Republican policy of expan-
sion with much favor, because of tho
markets which it is expected to promote
for Southern products. The destruction
of Populism in the South would seem.
moreover, to indicate the unwillingness
of the South to go to the extremes in
certain directions which so many con-
slider to be consistent with Democratic
teaching and principle.
1t would be a direct challenge Of public
sentiment in the South; it would tend
decidedly to render the South even moro
solid than it is today. if the Republicans
should compel that section to pay the
penalty which they claim should be i'm