Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-16
TELEPHONES.
THE soyru AND DEMOCRACY.

In its issue of last Saturday the Roa-
noke Times attributes TO the Dispatch. by
mistake Of course-by one OF those mis-
takes which will occur in the best regu-
lated newspapers-an article which never
appeared in our columns. The Times ex-
presses regret that upon the question OF
..the SouAs.s getting together for the pur-
pose OF controlling the next National
Democratic Convention it feels obliged to
differ with several of its State contem-
poralios.'' the Dispatch among the num-
her. II then remarks that the Dispatch
thinks il would be great mistake Tor
Southern leaders to hold 4 conference
10 that end, and after copying the ar
ficIe in question and crcditing it to US. ar
mes in favor of such a conference, and
continues as follows:
I'VE can readily appreciate how, since
the war. the South has had no election
but to meekiy follow the dictates of the
North not fer the reason that her former
political glory achieved in the councils
IF the nation previous TO the war has
te6n dimmed but for the fact that 1t had
a accept what was offered, regardless
of the Inclination
Next our contemporary aflirms lis con-
fiction that "the South possesses all The
10 the war" and AIDES:
FOR nearly forty years 1t has HAD TO
SIT idly by with folded hands. tkly
scccpting the domination OF all sections.
ard Just SO long il continues This
aI.athetic course IT is but deferr;ns ,hc
acceptance Of that which is its own
in these comments our Contemporary
unintcutonally places the Dispatch Ia :,
fanse pcsi;ion-a position the reverse OF
that we occupy and have r-aintained for
some time They convey the impression
that the Dspa tch favors the South's re-
maining in a back seat and continuing; TO
play second fiddle. Tie contrary is the
fact Ii is true that we have never ad-
vocated the holding of conference OF
Southern Democratic leaders FOR the pur-
pose Of controlling and dominating the
next National Democratic Convention: but
we Gave insistcn.ly urged that me South
ern leaders .hou.d come to the front III
great national ISSUES, and by showing
that 1hay cou'd rise 10 the national oc-
caston regain for this section its old
time ascendznc. in the party aolncIls
and in directing :he destines OF the liza
tiun
Our idea is and has teen '1t the
sau hern leas rs can Insure ,ne .S.nti;s
being felt and heard by the exercise OF
6 broad. unselfis!l craftsmanship, which
would antagonize all compromise with
expediency and all efforts TO place men
above principles. and would swing the
party back 10 pure unauthorized Demo-
crazy
We do not err, we think. in stating
that the Dispatch inaugurated the discus
sion Of the question of the South's as
sorting herself along these lines. And
certainly from time 10 time during the
past few months we have urgently con-
tended that the elimination of the negro
problem from our politics afforded the
South an opportunity for regaining her
influence in the national party, and re-
riv!ng pure Democracy. the neglect of
which would be a monumental wrong
s,ainst herself and the nation.
So far as is concerned the proposition
that the South seek 10 regain leadership
by pursuing the policy We have ind!-
Gated. our Roanoke contemporary COM
rnents really buttress the Dispatches.
They are Of piece with the views we
..ave frequently expressed both as TO the
iramrneis necessity SO long imposed upon
us, and as to the Duty that is before the
South no.v tflot these tramsnels have been
removed Touching tie great END the
South should strive TO attain and The
opportunity that has opened up for its
attainment. our Roanoke contemporary
and ourselves agree thoroughly. We differ
only as 10 the method that should he en-
plcycd. or rather the agencies and the
manner of cxerting influence and power
which should be relied upon TO bring
about the corsrmmation.
--==---==:---=~-