The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-11-22
THE .ssOLID sOUrHo GONE FOR
EVER,

81 &1A<Ls A11Odiii~ liz pC4h0PS ChC VI "
other states. there is conflict, and a
minority is disposed to bolt and set
up for themselves, or to antagonize the
action of the majority in some way.
Tie precise conditions do not apply to
al the states ramed, but there are
alienations, threats, general and partic-
ular ''disgruntlement," and palpable
disposition to dictate to the majority or
10 kick very high and look out for new
Alliances and combinations. Strange to
say the most determined boilers and
the 1oudest denouncers Of the old de-
mocracy, they fondly call "Bourbons"
and machine manipulators are the
very men who jumped on the populists
with both feet, and all who dared to say
they were fighting for some important
principles necessary for a free people
under a constitutional government.
lust how far all this denunciation.
and these threats, and these signs Of
d-isintegration may go, it is not posi-
BILE TO anticipate now. The storm NAV
blow over, and the democracy may get
together against subsidy schemes of
p.under, high tariff protection rob
kery," and the d~evouring, gigantic COM
hinations known as trusts n fostered
by the protection tariff, but at present
it does not look that way. The money
power has it's hold in part on the south
and so far as it covers o will find
democrats favoring all of the uncon-
stitutional, paternal, usurping, oppres-
sing measures of the rotten republican
part.
Out in Alabama there is a serious
split among democrats, and e
the constitutional convention and its
& dotags. The split is SO ominous that
the republican Washington Post is hap
by and prognosticates that the solid
south is about don for. 1t calls the
stand-fast democracy "Bourbons." 1t
said of the Bourbons in France
that they never did a wise hing. This
shows how slanderous and false it is
to call the true, unfaltering democracy
by opprobious and misleading names.
The Post thinks the fight in Alabama
represents the long pending clash be-
tween the Bourbon and the progressive
elements of the white population.
Heretofore these factions have been
held together in a hollow and fictitious
alliance by the ever-present threat of
negro domination"
That some men who have simply toll
Grated the democracy n reluctantly
allied themselves with it, holding at
heart republican principles and favor
ing republican measures, may go out
when they mir the negroes no
longer control, is to be expected. How
many thousands they will number in
Alabama will be guess work, but the
outlook is that they will count tens of
thousands. The Post has this to say.
and it is probably based upon a study
OF the present situation:
THE Post has always contended that
the franchise laws adopted in such
states as Mississippi, Louisiana, the
two Carolinas, and Alabama, while
open to many and serious objections,
constituted a long stride in the direc-
tion OF the political emancipation or the
south. Our contention has always been
that a white lliterate is quite unit for
the elective franchise as a black Hitter
. 2AEa dA10 IL We oeAo AA
the whole Objectionable element would
! nave been obliterated long ago"
This opinion IS not sound as all edu-
Gated southrons know. There are thou
sands of illiterate whites in every
southern state who vote wisely. under
{ s~tandingly and periodically. The Post
says that Alabama is now "fuming to
burst the shackles Of the old, narrow,
purblind democratic machine. The
Montgomery Evening Journal speaking
for such distinguished Alabamians as
representative from the state: Hon.
/ Joseph F. Johnston, former governor;
Hon. Thomas G.. Jones, former governor
and nov United States district judge,
and . score Of the most prominent DEM
/ ocratic leaders in times gone by, dis.
cusses the situation" These kickers
are office seekers or office holders or
have been in office. They are hungry
and hence dissatisfied. The five loaves
! and the two fishes are sweet and tooth
some, and especially to those who were
never -four square" democrats, Of the
anfading indigo-blue kind. The Mont
<omery organ of the kickers says:
The white people were divided in
1890-92. They divided in 1896. They di-
vided in 1901, and the division now Is
such as to insure its permanency and is
threatening and dangerous"
The clouds thicken and trouble gath
ers- People who train themselves to
divide when their own particular
HrUeet Wills, are not obeyed, will keep
o. kicking until the crack of DOOM
%fhen they repose safely in the broad
lap of the old republican party that has
ABOUT succeeded in destroying the con-
.stitution. o~verturning the real repubH-
Zcan-democratic government of the faith
|srs. and in creating the most monstrous
examinations willis piling up the most
unreasonable and unjust taxation
upon the people, they La be happy.