The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-09-23
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1909.


denomination for ongre increases
instead of diminishing in repub-
lican ranks. His action came to
the leaders of that party like a thun-
derclap from a clear sky. It has filled
them with astonishmbent and dismay.
Their efforts to have the congressman
reconsider his decision and consent
to become a candidate are of no avail
He stands firm. To try to counteract
the political effect they declare that
Mr.. Henderson has some secret motive
of which neither they nor the public
know anything. This, though, will
have little force. The republicans are
really alarmed at the political outlook
in the northwest and are aware of the
advantage Mr.. Henderson's conduct
will DE to the democrats in a section Of
country where the principle of tariff
revision has already made such in
roads upon the rank and file of their
party. They recognize the fact that
before the Letter of d~eclination was
made public their party was losing
strength in that section, n they we'll
know that this letter has added great.
ly to the democratic cause. Make
what excuse they please for Mr.. Her.
derson. they know the people feel hat
he was not willing to go before them in
their present attitude on the tariff re-
vision question and try to induce them
to support an administration which up
held the high protective measures of
the Dingley bill and which, while adj
uniting that there should be a revision
of this law, was opposed to undertaking
the relief for the people.
While the republicans are downcast
over the event and some go SO far
eve as to predict that it insues DEM
ocratic success that the democrats
will control the next house of repre-
sentatives, the democrats are jubilant.
At democratic congressional ~headquar-
tiers Secretary Edwards declared that
Mr.. Henderson had preferred declin-
ing the denomination to defeat; that
the congressman had acted deliberate
ly and after d surve of the situation,
not only in his own district, but in the
whole field. 1t is stated at democratic
headquarters that we will surely elect
bOACS dIu per maps gam dIOllSI uES-
trict in Iowa and that two republican
districts will be captured in Wiscon-
sin. a prominent Michigan democrat
states hat we will gain four congress-
men in his state. Gains are also look
ed for in Minnesota. The people at
headquarters also claim that there will
be democratic gains in the North At
lantic states.
Nc one need be surprised to find the
next house of representatives with q
democratic majority. The people, es-
peCially those of the northwest, were
ripe for change. The action of Mr..
Henderson has put in motion a great
tidal wave which will sweep through
that section of the country, carrying
destruction to the republicans.
Well a the president and other re.
publican leaders feel indignant at Mr..
Henderson for his refusal to face the
danger. Had he accepted the nomi-
nation and battled against the popular
wave of tariff revision, it is true he
would probably have suffered personal
defeat, but at the same time he would
AVE prevented the stampede from the
republican ranks which his admission
of unwillingneSs or inability to stem
the tide against high tariff has started.
Had the president in his speechs dur
ing his New England n southern
tours admitted the necessity for a re-
duction of the tariff on tru~st-controlled
products and declared in favor of this
as a neal of attack On the unlawful
combinations he would have put HIM
self at the head of a party that could
not nave been successfully assailed at
the ballot box He would have swept
the country. No opposition could AVE
withstood him. But he took the very
course TO weaken his party and played
into the hands of the democrats.
This is not the only row in the re-
publican ranks. 1t is said the confer
ence at Sycamore Hill a few days ago
was by no ean harmonious. On the
contrary it was just the reverse. 1t is
said the presidents ideas were opposed
by several Of the senators present, but
he would not change them. He in
formed these senator's, we are told,
that he was the president by the choice
Of the people and, in substance, was
going to be president in act as we'll as
IN name. The senators left the con-
ference having very little ID say as to
what occurred, but enough to let the
public get an inkling Of he unpleas-
ant proceedings.
So We see lack of harmony and dis
cord in the republican party all along
the line, from the leaders clear down
INTO the ranks. If the democrats keep
cool heads and conduct a sensible cam
paign they will be sure to have a ma
Jority in the ext house IF representa-
tiveS.
Mcpufhe's Witch Hazel Foot Healer