The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-04-02
THEY ARE orr1cIoUs.

Some of our esteemed Republican con tenporaries are working overtime select ing Democratic Presidential candidates. It Is an exceedingly dull day when some one If them fails to suggest a strong man for our party to nominate. but they never fail to insert a fy in the ointment by adding: "Of course he could not be elected" This proviso goes with each man suggested and we cannot help re- gardins it is kind of whistiing to keep themselves in good spirits. They know it would never do to admit for a mo- ment that a Democrat can be elected.
 Naturally, these political intermediates are correct in some instances There have been men mentioned for the posi- ton who could be elected only by the Republicans staying away from the polls and allowing the election to go by de- fault. In no other way, in our judg- ment, could it be expected that major- ity of voters would support certain men who are being boomed for the nomina- ton. A Democrat in whom neither the Democratic Party nor the country could have any confidence. and on the kind of platform that would fit such a candi- date, would stand Ho show whatever and would add one more to the defeats our party has already suffered as result of trying to elect wrong man on wrong platform.
 But there is another side to the question and it lacks very much of being a hope less one. There are Democrats living, more than one of them, who could be elected if placed on a good Democratic platform. The constant poll-parroting of some Republicans to the effect that the country is with and for Roosevelt Is rot. choice of evils. He will doubtless be nominated, and he will be elected if the Democrats put out a ticket and a plat form that will drive off the best and most conservative of the country. It is foolish to shut our eyes to the fact that there are today millions of~voters who do not want to vote for Roose:eit but who will not vote for any man or plat form endorsing tho policies which have twice been voted down. We believe that A large majority of the Democrats of the country are ready to forget and for ever turn their backs on the issues which divided the party 'n 1s96 and 1900, and who will loyalty support good man on a Democratic platform.
 It is the height of political idiocy to talk about defying the business sentiment of the country. It is worse than idiocy to talk about electing President wlth- out the cordial and earnest support of the great States of the East. The South and West may again unite in a chase of rainbows but no President will be elected that way. We want New York as well as Indiana, and we want, need ana must have electoral votes which neither the South nor the West can, give. There is neither good sense nor sound political pol icy in bucking against patent facts II will require no sacrifice of Democracy or of Democratic principles to select ticket and a platform which will secure the confidence and support of the great masses who elect Presidents. That way lies success. The other way is cul de sac into which the party can be led and from which it will find no outlet.
 No, 1t is a mistake to suppose that the country Is so enamored of Roosevelt that 1t would not gladly drop him for bet ter man. The Democrats can find that man and thev can send him to the conn., try with such a platform as will inspire confidence and secure victory. Win 1t be done?