The Minneapolis journal., 1901-04-23
A NEW DEMOCRACY

Senator John L. McLaurin, of South
Carolina, in his recent address before the
Southern Manufacturers Club at Char
lotte, N. c., spoke as the exponent of
the New South and the new democracy of
the South. In his address he first de-
clared that the civil war had settled the
question of a consolidated government
structure or loose aggregation of states,
while the Spanish war settled the ques-
tion whether this is to be purely theor
etical democratic government or an ex-
panding and giant republic. He adverted
to the fact that the democracy did not
carry a state at the November election
where the issues were discussed and judg-
ment passed by the people upon them on
their merits, and the party had for some
years been under the control of professed
revolutionists and socialists. To oppose
expansion under the name of Imperial
ism" deceives no man of intelligence who
knows that no people can become slaves
who are armed with the power born of
free institutions, and thus there can be
no Imperialism.
the new democracy of the South thus:
| believe the time will come when the south
will be the hope and salvation of the nation
The center of manufacturing has been trans
ferred from Fall River, Mass, to Columbia
5. C. But if we would make the most of our
opportunities we must renounce sectional
prejudiees and support, broad, national poll
cies, looking to the creation of foreign mar
kets, the expansion of trade and the upbuiId-
frcr Nf1
full share of the benefits as well as the
burdens of national life.
We are no longer purely agricultural sec
ton, but mining, manufacturing and kindred
interests have sprung into prominence and
demand governmental policies to protect and
develop them. A statesmanship SO partizan
in its character as to adhere to old political
doctrines, either settled by the arbitrament
of the sword or firmly fixed as governmental
policies, cannot solve the political and eco
nomic problems now confronting the south
ern people. Such craftsmanship cannot prop
erly interpret present economic movements
nor provide by aggresses and progresses
thought for the radically changing conditions
now confronting US.
This utterance indicates the sharpness
OF the line drawn between the old. un-
reformable Bourbon democracy and its
allies, the socialistic democracy repre-
sented by Allen, Bryan and the populist
element generally, and the new democracy
represented by Senator McLaurin, of South
Carolina, who recognizes the potency of
the industrial revolution in the enormous
growth OF southern interests. manufac-
turing, mining and agricultural, and the
magnificent results generally of the Amer
lean policy of the republican party. There
is no doubt that majority Of the southern
people favor the policy of expansion and
they are pleased with the financial policy
which is more widely diffusing the money
circulation and banking facilities, and so
bringing down the interest and discount
rates.
The Bourbon democratic leaders have
always dreaded the disintegration of the
southern democracy. That process has
already begun. 1t is not expected that
men like Senator McLaurin will become
republicans, but, heartily indorsing. as
they do, the broad national policies of the
republican party and turning their backs
upon obstructive Bourbonism. they are
breaking the democratic solidarity and
dividing the southern voters into distinct
and active parties, which insures the
recognition of political rights for all and
the alignment Of the South with the party
OF progress, and will destroy the last
yestiges of democratic intolerance.