Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-26
TELEPHONES.
sorTuER, pENocR.rIc cHsNcE

SOUTHERN DEMOCRATIC S'f4r>Sc.
THE Democrats of the South says
The stanton News. have absolutely
nothing 10 gain By pursuing course dc
lated by supposed expediencE. There
fore urges our contemporary, let the
party take its stand on the old principles
of equal opportunity for all and favorit-
ism to none. and Of economy in admins
,,ation. leaving in the pockets Of the peo-
pie all the money not absolutely needed
for the expenses of government Ihat
rolicy. the News contends. VIII win the
respect of the people and victory in the
end.
We agree fully with our staunton fr'eno'
and on more than one occasion recently
we have advanced the same doctrine. The
Democrats of tbs south not only nave
much 10 gain by discardins eHpediencY'
but much to lose by not doing so. There
was 2 period in our fstorX-a long and
weary period-when necessity kept US
under The yoke Of expedency. The pres
eryation Of orr institutions and our civ
ilization compelled us TO bow beneath 1t.
and restrict ourselves to treading out the
grain Of local protection as represented
practically inN triumph on single issue
And in all the circumstances We. were
justinablt= in allowing expectancy to domi-
nate us Our submission to the restraints
the situation imposed was entirely
dcfcnsible. Calling though submission
WAS every consideration of patriotism
demanded it.
But what was the effect so far our
connection with and influence in the ma
tional Democratic counsels and national
affairs were concerned? IT was TO place
Us in the category of a poor and depen-
dent relative. In the great Democratic
family circle of the country the South
and bv the South we mean the Demo-
cratic party of the South-was little more
than q me too 1t IS not a pleasant
reflection. but il is none the less true.
that since the war between the States the
Southern sisters the vestal virgins of the
old-tin7e Democracy and the altar CT the
Constitution have perforce been obliged
to turn their backs upon their office, neg
lect the sacred fires they had kept burn
ing since the foundation of the govern
nent. and become mere dancers to any
music the Northern Democracy might
make no matter how distasteful or out Of
harmony with true Democratic senti-
sneut.
But the period with which all that was
linked IS PASSED. With the removal OF
the danger OF negro rule from Southern
politics was broken the yoke Of necessity
for yielding to the dictates of eXpediency.
The Southern Democracy was left free to
ASSERT itself. The opportunity was pre-
scented for Southern men to clear
again 10 :ts fountain head, which has
ever been in the South. the stream of
genuine Democracy, that had become
choked. polluted. ard adulterated by en-
forced resort TO compromises No excuse
remained fer our publicists continuing
'cahin'd. cribb'd confined bound in tc
- +. doubts and fears" in their discus
sions before the people. The way was
opened for the Southern States to re-
sumo The feeding Of the fame of real
fathers; the hour was al hand when they
could again. without 1eopardizing our civ
ilization. devote themselves to minister
ing at the shrine of the Constitution.
This has come to be recognized at the =
North, not only in Influential and thought
ful Democratic circles. but by others who
realize that the hope of the country lies
in g ewing back from the course along
which Repubiicanism Is sweeping US. 1t
IS coming 10 be appreciated in that sec
tien that if the superstructure of our gov
crnncnt is 10 continue to conform to the
foundation lines laid out by the ar
chitects who planned II, the cardinal te-
nets Of Democracy must again have reg
nancy. The conviction has dawned on
large Northern clement that such reg
& nancy is only possible through assertion
and agg&essipeness on the part of South
srn Democrats. fighting for the ancient
md unsiiiatea faith Hence there is a
call 10 this section to attempt to take
once more the leadership in the party
With parties as with men. there
is tide in their affairs which
taken at It's nood. leads On to
fortune The tide which presents to the
South the opportunity to regain leader
ship in the national Democratic party and
Ieseoulre dominating place In directing
WIG oestinies Of the nation is rising TO
W. hood WIN She take 1t al tho pro-
.aoa1 moment and carry the country to
me fortune OF q psmocrat .c tvs,,,, ~, -.
q = As4 e = saah1sd. and pas. b. ,eay-