The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-18
..Mercenaries Decreed otherwise"

"Mercenaries Decreed Otherwise"
But the Mercenaries decreed other
wise He had already exhibited his
independence. He had their undying
enmity. They worked themselves, and
subsequently their employees, into a
fine frenzy.
One would have supposed that the
elevation Of this splendid young Geor-
gian to the Speakership meant the
ruin of every corporation in the state
and the coniscation of all their as
sets.
They girded up their loins. Every
railroad in Georgia, every cotton NM
in Georgia, the associated liquor in
terest of Georgia, combined to defeat
the aspirations of this young Demo-
crat for preferment within his party.
The wires were soon hot-from hill
and dale they came-the lash was up
lifted and everywhere possible politi-
cal influence was thrashed into line.
1t would be interesting to enumerate
the political influences that sprang
into line at the crack Of the whip, did
it not at the same time write Democ-
racy's shame.
Never at any time in the history
of Georgia has there been such strain
ing of corporate effort. The conflict
was too unequal. He made heroic,
single handed fight, and once even tied
the winner But he was defeated. He
became a victim of his own independ-
ence.
People viii Learn Secret.
l have often thought that some day
the people of Georgia would learn the
secret of this fight. Whenever they
do, | am sure they will fittingly re-
ward their champion for his very hon
orable defeat.
This fight makes a black page In
Democracy's history. 1t is a sad COM
mentary when a Georgia Democrat,
who has ability and character. may
not successfully aspire to office with
in the Democratic party unless he first
shows subserViency to those who have
already sold their own political 1nfiu-
ence for money. Democracy cannot
hope to retain the allegiance of Geor-
gians if the portals of preferment will
not open unto them until after they
shall have made sacrifice of their man
hood on the altar of the Mercenaries.
These are the evils within the party
and they menace its welfare. They
must be corrected and Democrats must
do it. We must be vigilant The peo-
pie must hold their chosen representa-
tives to the strictest accountability.
The party can and it must be recon-
secrated for its mission of voicing the
popular will Those who would pro-
fame it and prostitute it to the graft
fication of corporate greed must be ex-
posed to public condemnation.
"StrangIe Hold On Legislation"
When this is done you will find Mr..
Watson's crusade checked. Until it is
done, Democracy will be weak within,
and will deserve attacks from without.
We should start now. The new Cen
eral Assembly has already been select
ed. You may be sure the mercenaries
are already at work. The corporations
have their choice of presiding officers.
Who are they? Let the people be-
gin to inquire. Who do the corpora
tions want for President of the Senate?
Find this out, and beat him. You will
be doing Democracy an everlasting
benefit. The mercenaries want to con-
troll this high office.
1t will give them the strangle-
hold on all legislation. Don't let them
get it. Democrats should get busy.
The humber the Democrat, the greater
is his personal interest in this selec-
ton.
l don't like Mr.. Watson's advice. 1t
is so unlike true Georgian. To fol-
low it would be cowardly. 1 liken De-
mocracy to a good old ship that has
safely carried us through many a
storm, weather. beaten, it is true. May
haps she leaks a bit and she may have
pirate or two in the crew.
Don't ScuttIe the Ship.
Mr.. Watson says "Scuttle the ship
and go We forth unto the forest and
hew we trees and build "a new ship"
Not so, say /.
There is a sentiment that clings
around that good old hulk, and she is
good for many a year yet. Between
the storms We'll overhaul her, and per-
haps We'll make a member or so of the
crew walk the plank.
But that is all that is needed. We
can then put forth upon the billowy
deep of politics with smiling face and
confident air. No, Mr.. Watson, we
won't scuttle the ship.
When the money changers profaned
the temple, the Master did not tear
down the beautiful structure and build
another. He scourged them from the
holy place. And so must we.