The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1904-04-23
..llams first assumed


leadership of the Democratic mi
| nority- the task before him seemed to
be a peculiarly thankless one. SO far
as party discipline is concerned, the
democrats conld be depended on, but
the concert of action that is made ne-
cessary by party policy is very dill
ferent thing from that which is me-
cessary to meet the various contingent
cies and exigencies of parliamentary
tactics. These contingencies are fIe-
quently of the most unexpected char
acter; they cannot be foreseen and
Therefore they cannot be forestalled.
They spring up without moments
warning, and unless the minority has
complete confidence in the man who
has been chosen to lead it, and rests
securely in the belief that he is fully
prepared for the emergency, there Is
bound to be confusion and ineffective
action.
The result Of this confusion docs
not appear ut the moment to be I'M
portant: to the casual observer no nc,
tion the minority may take, whether
individually or collectively, can be
of any moment; but it is of immense
importance, not only to the minority,
but to the party at large to feel that
the right thing has been done in the
right way and at the right time. 1t
adds largely to the party enthusiasm
to realize that its representatives
have organized themselves into COM
pact, aggressive body always alert,
always eager, always ready for the
unexpected, and always certain to
take advantage Of every opportunity
offered by huge majority, which
is so certain of its numbers that it is
sometimes loose aud careless in it's
tactics.
In this way, and by these means, it
is possible for minority, no matter
how small. to have decided infiu.
ence on the general course OF legisla-
ton, and at the same time have a
salutary effect on the public opinion
that may be described as superior to
the mare partisan aims OF politics.
It is posi- BILE, moreover. as we have
limited, for minority capably led, to
exert tremendous influence on the
spirit and enthusiasm of the party 1T
represents. 1t is able, in this way, to
compose differences that are not ma
terial, to render the doubtful more
certain, and to promote in various
ways the spirit of unity that is eson-
tial to party victory,
Under the briY ant and always ef-
fective Leadership of John Sharp Will
Hams, the fact as been made appar-
ent that the general policy of the
Democratic yarty stands for the most
of the Rrs..6 reforms that are necessary
to tie wholesome conduct OF public
affairs, as we'll as to the health and
we'll being of the republic.
In view of these results the letter
from our Washington correspondent.
in which he gives sketch of Mr..
Williams, is as interesting as it is
timely. 1t will give our readers
closer view Of the Democratic leader
than they have had heretofore and
enable them to judge the man for
themselves. The sketch given by our
correspondent is vely frank app1e-
citation and description of the man
and his methods.
Mr.. Williams is probably the best
educated man in public life today,
and this faut will go far toward ac-
counting for his broad views. With
an intimate knowledge of the politics
of the nations Of the old world, and
with clear understanding Of the mo-
tives that underlie every political
movement that takes place in Europe,
he has q very broad and sympathetic
comprehension Of political affairs at
home. He is a party man and q party
politician, but his outlook is &c
broad and comprehensive, and his ap'
prehension so keen that he is unwill'
ina to descend to nero display Of
partisanship.
What John Sharp Williams is now
he has been for long time; thai
he is not better known as a leader IL
his own section is due to the fact tina
4 he does what he conoeives to be- hi
duty and stops there. He is no
hu 1gry for such reputation as thu
newspapers can give q man. HI
scholarship and culture are such as t.
place him far above the small vani
ties of public life, and he is perhaps
q trifie too indifferent of what 10 sai'
of him; but it is as true now a. l
was in the days Of the. prophets tina
when q man has the thorough ap
provaI Of his own conscience he has |
right to be indifferent TO both prais
and blame.
It is said Of him that the demand
of public life are not more importan
in his own estimation than his studio
and his. books; but he finds time TO
all, and especially has he found tim
In spite Of himself, TO become one o
the most interesting and engaging
figures in public life today. Asid
from his scholarship, his chief chAI
aoteristics are his common sense an
his simplicity simplicity that !
frequently more banning to his OF
ponents than more diplomatic method
would be. he has 4 charmin
Ihumor, and in il genial depths he