The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-04-25
THE GREATEST COMING SOUTHERN


There. are members of and
ex-members who are favorable to Sena-
tor Bailey. of Texas, for the democratic
nomination for the presidency. He mod
estly declines TO be "a seeker" and
thinks that it is beyond him or any
southern man of his generation. He is
reported as saying:
1T is, of course, gratifying to me that
men with whom / have served in con-
gress should deem me worthy and capa-
bic of the presidency, but what
has been said has been said without
N suggestion. on my part, n what
ever movement may nave been placed
on foot has been placed on foot without
my participation. 1 90 not expect the
democratic presidential nomination, and
this kindly mention by partial friends
will not miSlead me as to the real situa-
ton which is presented"
He is correct in his conclusion. No
southern man need 10 expect nomina-
ton or election so long as Grant Sher-
man. Sheridan. Lincoln and Garfield
are the chief northern heroes and idols.
But Senator Joseph w. Bailey, a native
Of Mississippi, born III 1863. and edu-
Gated at the University of Virginia and
the University of Mississippi, is a man
of very marked ability. Our attention
was directed to him several years ago
as a young man Of extraordinary force
and legal abilities. He has steadily
gained I'm public regard, and commands
already a high place in the senate
That wool-dyed republican paper, the
Washington Star, says of him, and it
is remarkable as we'll as richly merited
.recognition:
Congress. in either branch, affords
scope for the exercise of large talents,
and a seat in either ranch is a great
honor. Mr.. Bailey has had experience
in both branches, and has distinguished
himself in both. In fact, his seat in
senate came to him as the reward for
his services in the house. His talents
are admirably suited to parliamentary
warfare. and after oEiy n few months
in the senate he occupies n place as q
leader on his side of the chamber That
he is destined to make an envlable rep
utation in that body IS certain. He has
everything on his side-youth, health.
energy, capacity, and both liking and
aptitude for the work.
This opinion OF the Star, an oppon-
ent. is not alone. for in Washington Mr.
Bailey is held to be a man of unmis-
taxable and distinguished parts. Within
a week the representative of this dis
trict in the house, Hon. John d. Bella
my. said to us that Mr.. Bailey was the
ablest lawyer In the senate and a man
of first rate ability. AS the great old
Senator Morgan andVest shall present
" disappear from the senate, it is hope
rul and pleasant to know that in Sena
tor Bailey the south has in the United
States senate so able, so thoroughly
equipped. so we'll balanced and sound
q democrat.
Since writing the above we learn
farther of the Bailey Boom" in Wash,
ington. Senator Cochran. Of Missouri,
made the suggestion of nominating
Senator Bailey for the presidency, and
IL IS reported that sit met with a warm
reception from other members of con-
sress." 1t is stated that it a southern
Is considered eligible il is likely to be
the Texan. Hon. Champ Clark is en-
thusiastic for Bailey. A dispatch to the
Houston Post say
Bailey is one of the great lawyers Of
the United States, said Mr. Cochran to
The Post correspondent today. He is
familiar with every syllable OF Ameri-
can political history. He Is I democrat
of the old school, He believes in the
constitution and the observance OF all
its limitations. In public and private