Okolona messenger., 1902-06-18

9-kaN lMl Grafton IN the matter OF paTllclpd-
ta7 ssp26s every Fgs 's"sa ssa5 OF raP n' PaS %saS
III fe& caused the separation came to an
n 24lEGSZ end thirty-seven years ago, yet we
still speak OF the North and South cOntrasted and
in some degree antagonistic entities. Can the North
and the South be united truly as long as the man
hood of the South is disqualfed-nOt legally but
practically-for holding or even aspiring to hold
the highest Office in the gift Of the people OF the
United States
The proposition can be sustained that the divid
ing line between the North and South cannot be
closed with words. We have had continuous
stream of words on the subject. If OratOTy could
effect this good result there would be visible
to-day. Yet who will deny that the scar is visiblei
Deeds alone can cure the sore. We know this, be-
cause whatever has been effected far has been by
deeds-the exchange of commerce, the migration oi
peoples across the line and the cooperation OF the
North and the South in uphOldlng the flag OF the
Union against foreign foe. Some OF the enthusl-
astlc have been convinced that the "chasm" is
closed. President Hayes inauguTated policy Oi
Cancellation OF the South and many Southern men
accepted the hand extended. Mr. Grady went later
to Boston and was so eloquent in his praise OF the
virtues OF the North and the prObity and valor Oi
the South that it was generally agreed that the
division was healed Tor geod. But even so late as
President McKinley's time we find the closing pro
cess going on. He was noble and generous man
he spoke words for which the South will be ever
I
rushed to the national standard and Southern
veterans led in the volunteer armies OF the republic
that we began to see reapprOachement between what
we call the s'sectiOnsD Time and changes in pOpu
latiOn intimate social and business relations had
brought about more kindly feeling between the peo
ple yet this one act of patriotic sacrifice did more
than all the other influences to help the North un
derstand the South and to hasten the obliteTalon O
the division of past generation.
Nevertheless, Mr.. Bailey, OF Texas speaking
lately with reference to the report that he was men
toned as presidential possibility, said that to bt
president was an ambition he did not entertain, fol-
he knew we'll that no Southern man would be con
sidered for the Office
The line is still there. The Southern man does
Lot pass it. It is line over what was once a
bloody chasm. Flowers are strewn along it; swee
words form its borders on either side and some
heroic achievements stand like lofty monuments, tC
indicate rather than to commemorate it, yet it II
there hardly concealed from view, and as potent al
ever in keeping brethren apart and in preventing III
from being one peOple-One in heart as well as II
language institution and laws.
It is in part our own fault We have been con
tent with words We have welcomed the flowers
and sweet speeches and have made return in kind
but these exchanges are themselves but further eVi
decces of the existence of difference. Why shOulC
we not speak out and say that as this is our father
house and Ours-fOr have we not been assured so
thousand times and is it not so in law-we intenC
to enter in and take such place therein as Ou
talent and birth right jointly entitle us TOT Shal
we ever escape the repTOach Of being prOdigal SOM
il We submit without protest to the appellatlOn'
Having men fit for highest national nOnOr, VIII!
should any one Of them be forced to confess that
the comforting of that honor his fitness cannot b
considered and that he is barred by the simple fac
that be was born, raised and lives "beyOnd th
linei"
What linei That same scar that marks the oft
closed chasm. This it is that stands between th
South and the more perfect union that we all want
but do not seem able to obtain The time has cOm
for its Obteration 1t rests with the South to do it
The day the South puts forwards her claims an'
presents man who is personally fit for the grea
honor she wishes to see bestowed upon him, aDC
that man is weighed and measured by all the peO
ple-not as a SOutherner but as an American-Ol
that day the dividing line will vanish, sectonalisn
will end there will be no longer a North or South
save as a sentiment honorable to us ALL and tn
lOng-prayed for reunion OF states in fact in nam
will be grandly and glOriOusly accOmplished.-MO
bile Register
The supreme court of Mississssippi ha
affirmed the celebrated cO-insurance case 0
Hartford Fire insurance Company VS.. ID. J. Schlen
ker, about which there has been so much cOncerl
among cettOn men and insurance men and bankers
The decision in the cO-insurance case means tha
the state is confronted with serious condition
and one that threatens great commercial losses
The opinion of the court was delivered by Justic
Whitfield and the court holds that the valued pol
lev law applies to both personality and realit
alike and that the co-insurance clause as commOnl
inserted in blanket cotton policies is violation
the valued policy law. Judge Whitfield took occa