Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-24
A REvAMPED POLITICAL PARTY.

| XII T a
| The recent action Of the Republican
party of Kentucky in convention as
sembled suggests a few observations as
to the future of Republicanism in the
South. They apply particularly to
North Carolina, which is about to adopt
an amendment to It's Constitution that
VIII have the effect of dlsfranchising
the negro, and Is therefore expected to
serve many persons OF superior intelll-
gence, morality and patriotism in that
State (who are now reluctantly affili-
ated with the Democratic party. with
opportunity and occasion to place those
high qualities at the service of the Re
publican party and. incidentally, OF an
anxious and inpatient country. We
would not be understood as 10th to add
our enthusiastic expectation that their
going will endow the dry bones of Radi-
calism with robust health nor would
we Withhold tears for the irreparable
loss that Democracy would sustain In
their exit. We desire only to humbly
point out that political parties are re-
fractory substances and. in one in
stance, difficult to reform. re-make and
rejuvenate.
The incidents that have marked the
attempt of the Republican party to
govern in Kentucky are too recent and
too revolving to need detailed rehearsal.
Its acceptance of leaders ready-made
at the hands of corporation attorneys.
their elevation to office by bribery and
intimidation. their attempt to dragon
the Legislature with the militia, their
dastardly doing to death of Governor
Goebel by hired assassins, and their
present frantic search for an asylum
from the law courts OF their State-all
these things are fresh in the public
mind. What may be matter of less
common knowledge is that what Is ex-
pected to transform the Republican
party OF this State into a splendid ag-
gregation of pure and high-minded
statesmen had already taken place in
Kentucky when this astounding series
of villanics was begun.
ular figure as a distinct menace In Ken
lucky. The State has never been in
danger of negro rule" nor has the
threat of it been used to hold white men
in the Democratic ranks against their
will or their convictions. 1t has been
Democratic. on National issues. just as
Maine has been Republican. In 1896 a
large and influential element of the
Democratic party went over. bag and
baggage, to the Republican camp. in
so much that the States electoral vote
was given TO Mr.. Mckinley.
Did this addition of ex-Democratic
patriots do for the Republican party in
Kentucky what n like acquisition is ex-
pected to do in this State? The recent
history of alleged government in that
State is the all-suflcient and emphatic
answer. What the partys leaders at
Frankfort may have omitted in the way
of violence and folishness, its State con-
vention has abundantly supplied. That
sapient body endorsed the patriotic
course OF Governor w. S. Taylor" pre-
sumably his scurrying around to avoid
the Sheriff included land all OF the
other Republican State officers, who
have fought and propose to fight to the
end!" Having done this it elected Mr..
Taylor delegate to the National Con-
vention, and thanked Ex-Governor
Bradley for appearing professionally for
Taylor in the contest before the courts.
Thus has that party formally and de-
liberately saddled itself with all the in
fanny of the crimes of individual mem
bers, and has lent its sanction to the
ignominy of their cowardice.
Such is the Republican party of Ken
lucky, revamped with renegade Dem
ocrats. Whether it will be better in
other States when subjected to like
process will appear when they. who
are impatient to begin 1t, shall have
been given an opportunity and free
hand.