Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1903-05-14
THURSDAY. MAY IA, 1908.
THE FUNNY SOUTH.

ed it. This is beautiful, sunny land,
with much to admire IN the character OF
is people. But when it comes to politics
the South is so unique, so droll that it can
be dlstinctively called the Funny South. .
If there ever Was political organization
that has acted as frequently and absurdly
inconsistent as the Southern Democracy
We are at loss to find and name it. This
applies with especial force to the history Of
its connection with national politics. 1t
has been as tickle and inconsistent as the
wind IN the support of men and measures.
Repeated acts upon these lines have been
so fragrant as to warrant the conclusion
that policy rather than principle is the
guiding star of the Southern Democracy
lis treatment of Cleveland and Bryan in
succession Is unparalleled in political du'
plicity.
There is no trouble to recall the fact
that in 1884 Mr.. Cleveland WAS idolized
by the Southern Democracy. His election
to the Presidency and lis subsequent lib
eral distribution Of the patronage among
the hungry office-seekers from the South
made him hero in the esteem of the men
who were dominating the politics of this
section. So profoundly impressed was the
Southern Democracy with his greatness
and purity, they gave him an enthusiastic
suppnt for denomination in 1888 and
1892, and turned over to him the solid
electoral votes of these states second and
third time.
When business disaster followed thesuc-
cess of the Democratic party in 1892, and
the introduction of its tariff reform policy
wrought havoc with the industrial inter-
ests Of the country, the Southern Democ.
~ racy deserted Mr. Cleveland and cravenl,
sought to escape responsibility by shifting
it's share on him He found that he had
warmed a serpent in his breast to sting
him. lie WIS as bitterly denounced by
the Democratic press and campaign ora.
tors as he had formerly been praised. Not
only was his wisdom as a leader assaled,
but his integrity as a man was questioned
Of course there we're few exceptions in
the way of newspapers and leaders, but
they were proclaimed traitors and no
longer worthy of the confidence of tie
Democracy The Richmond Times was
one of The papers that remained faithful
+ Mr.. Cleveland and it was boycotted by
Bhe Virginia Democracy.
When the National Democratic conven.
ton met at Chicago in 1896 new and
brilliant Star, William Jennings Bryan,
burst forth in the political armament. As.
Stunning to play the Ioe Of tribune of the
people he proclaimed that they should
have no crown of thorns pressed on their
heads nor should they be cruci6ed on a
cross of gold. The southern Democracy
was there in force land Virginia had its full
quota. John w. Daniel was temporary
chairman of the convention and Carter
Glass was member of the committee on
platform and resolutions. The convention
was full of spite for Grover Cleveland, and
after it nominated Bryan adopted plat.
form which was replete with insult to Mr.
Cleveland. We will mention some of the
clauses that were aimed at him:
ave are opposed to the issuing of inter
est bearing bonds of the United States in
time of peace, and condemn the traficking
with banking syndicates which, in ex-
change for bonds and at enormous profit
to themselves, supply the Federal Treasu-
ry with gold to maintain the policy of gold
monometallism.
There was a clean cut insult hurled at /
Mr.. Cleveland, who had sold gold bonds \
in times of peace through syndicate, and
who was accused by the ungrateful and
craven Democracy with sharing the profits 1
Of the transaction with the syndicate. If
any Southern delegate in the convention
raised his voice in protest against the a
above quoted clause he was never men. d
toned. Then, again:
ave denounce arbitrary interference by
Federal authorities In local affairs as vio-
lation of the Constitution of the United
States and crime against free institu. +
TONS" e
This was another insult hurled at Grover )
Cleveland on the demand of the anarchist :;
Altgeld. If We mistake not Senator DAN X
el was standing by the eide of Altgeld 81
when the platform was reported to the 81
and be made no protest s,
lgainst the above quoted clause, though
he (DanieD had introduced resolution in
he u. S. Senate eulogizing Mr.. Cleveland OF
or sending Federal troops to Chicago to 81
uell the riots. Then, there was another
lause aimed at him. 1t was as follows:
"We declare it to be the uDwritten law If
this Republic established by custom aud de
sase of one bSPdred years, and sanction 90 DO