The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-17
The SeIf-Enacement Of the Demo
cratic South.

cratic South.
A correspondent of the Dispatch Of
Richmond, writing from New York,
speaks OF a conviction as prevailing
among "the most thoughtful South
erners' here that "the only possible
restoration of the Democratic party to
power and usefulness must be achieved
by the South's leadership"
This is a conviction, we dare say.
which does not prevail exclusively among
thoughtful Southerners in New York.
but extends to many other Democrats
also. The very backbone Of the Demo-
cratic party is the solid South. Except
for the Senator's and Representatives
from the Southern States. the Demo-
cratic party would he so feebly and in
significantly represented in Congress as
To invite something akin To contempt
The delegation frowthe city Of New York.
it is true. is almost wholly Democratic,
but there is not enough Of intellectual
ability in its composition to enable il to
WELD any influence in Congress beyond
the bare number of votes il casts with
the Democratic minority. More than
two-thirds of the Representatives are
from the solid South alone, and nearly all
the Democratic Senators are from it.
Obviously, therefore, the South is the
dominant force in the Democratic party.
According to all proper and healthful
political precedent, it should assume the
responsibility Of its mastership, by shap-
ing the policy of the party and die
Eating the nominations by the National
Democratic Convention, il not by provid-
ing the candidates.
We observe, however. a remarkable
reserve in the Southern papers in the
treatment of the suggestion from New
York to which we have referred. So
far from evincing any disposition to
assert the right of domination TO which
the solid South is SO plainly entitled,
they seem reluctant even to discuss the
subject The Dispatch of Richmond,
in commenting, very briefly, on it's cor
respondents expression Of New York
Democratic opinion, confines itself TO
saving modcstly that il the response
bility Of leadership was committed to
the people Of the South they would
brace up gloriously to meet it and
would show that they are true, I'M
selfish, farseeing and conservative. :"
Effective leadership is committed to no
one. II is assumed.
Tho Constitution Of Atlanta, in discuss
ing the question Of the future Demo-
cratic leadership, recognizes that the
recent elections have served to eliminate
from the list of eligibles the names Of sew
eral gentlemen who have been doomed
by their too partial friends, but it makes
no suggestion of Southern leader,
either directly or by implication Be
fore the election Mr.. HILL of New York
seemed to be Southern favorite for
the Democratic nomination for Presi-
dent, but he is now set aside very gene
rally as an impossible candidate because
of the Socialism with which he tainted
the Democratic platform in this State.
Undoubtedly, Mr.. GORMAN would appeal
favorably to Southern sentiment, but
we do not observe any disposition in that
quarter to put him forward as the candi-
date. All that the Atlanta paper asks
for is one whose past relations to party
questions will at least command the YER
dict that he was honest and patriotic
in purpose,
What is the matter with Virginia?
Is the Mother of Presidents gone
barren for all time?