The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1902-05-16

Thirty Pieces of Silver

Or6eQVlilo LINES COnmduuh my u6dr-
tiest approval. My only criticism is
that it is too mild in tone and conserva-
tive in spirit for the subject treated. 1t
is really remarkable to me that The
Times should have been so moderate in
discussing this particular species of pu-
sillanimity:
The Times has never been an advo-
cate of political prescription. The pro-
tecting skirts of the party should be
reasonably stretched to encompass
those who wish TO ally themselves with
it, to embrace those who sincerely be
lieve in the cardinal principles of dem
ocracy, although honestly dissentient,
as to few special tenets of the majori-
ty of the organization. But there is a
limit to this liberal recognition. When
stretched further than reason and honor
dictate, the skirts become tenuous as
air, and, instead of resping the benefit
from its quixotism, the party finds it.
self in semi recognition of a lot of
regenades who may for some vague ul-
terror purpose wish to hang on to the
fringe of the organization. while devot-
ing what little talent they have, the low
talent they possess to the other side
which has convinced their minds with
logical directness that sop of money
or place invariably has,
Let it be observed in the beginning
that we draw no distinction between
gold and silver democrats out of Office
and those who, under the present regi-
me, has seen fit TO accept dignifedly
the offices rendered them by republi
can administration, and whose position
cannot remotely be tortured into con-
nection either by sympathy of act with
the party to whose head they owe their
adventitions windfall. But at this last
point, the ways diverge To go beyond
this is more than gratitude; it is fealty.
Beyond those limits, to attempt to pose
as democrat is fraud which honesty
should not hesitate to rebuke and a
party for its best interests, should de-
cisively repudiate.
Those acquainted with the political
situation in Mississippi are aware, of
course, that in the preceding remarks
we have referred to no other than E. S.
Wilson, the tumid, inflated dispenserof
republican patronage in the state, who
is essaying a double political role in
these days which sincerity could not
for moment countenance and common
sense rejects Mr.. Wilson who has
learned the art of repelling offices in
public and accepting them in private,
through wha Booker Washington
means heaven alone knows, has not
kept within the liberal bounds of even
the loosest party allegiance. He did
not accept simple federal office and
devote himself to the discharge of his
duties and nothing more. On the con-
trary he accepted confential relation
that is as final test of party allegiance
as one could well imagine. Patronage,
which has always and will always be
dispensed for party advantage, no mat
ter whether it pursue the road of virtue
or deviate into corruption. was given
into his hands; and to his credit be it
said he is trying to give his new mas
ters signal proofs of his capacity. More
than this, he has not, it seems, been
content with making and uumaking a
few offi0e holders in the state. He has
attempted insiduously, according to
dispatches from jackson, to interfere
with the personnel of the state repub-
lican executive committee, urging the
selection of two of the officeholders he
has recommended instead of those who
were temporarily named by chairman
James Hill. Does this absorbing inter
est in the veal of the republican organ
ization in this state, this confidential
relation so religiously discharged in the
interests of the republican party in the
south as Roosevelt sees it, means moth
ing at all? Or does it mean, looking at
the thing calmly and sensibly as reason
able men and good democrats should
do, that under the guise of an alleged
democrat, the republican party has a
devoted henchmen in this state? In
accepting the position and its inevita.
BILE corollaries, Mr.. Wilson should have
accepted the title of republican, which
has been worn by ADLER men in Missis
sippi than he, in spite of the exagger-
ated regard of President Roosevelt,
whose prediction SO forcibly suggests
the mistaken fervor of Titania for the