The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1904-11-24

is more democrats. Inc SOuCn CNfcdI-
ems to kick over the traces and set up
for itself, and movement in favor of
the South casting its vote independent
ly in the electoral college is now under
discussion. According to the present
arrangements prominent Southern
Dem ocrats in and out Of Congress are
to be asked to meet in Washington this
winter to talk over the South's political
future. Should this peaceful conference
materiaIiZe, a resolution substantially
as follows will be offered by Southern
congressman:
''R esolved, That the Democrats of
the South do not send delegates to ma
tiOnal Democratic conventions, that
the electors from the Southern States
maintain their old constitutional priv
lece and vote in the electoral college
for that presidential candidate, regard
less of politics, who seems to them
most likely to offer to the South its
greatest advantages"
Should such resolution be passed it
would be referred to the several State
committees and by them to the people
of the States for ratification.
4 Southern member of Congress in
discussing the proposed plan said:
In my opinion, the only hope for the
South is independent political action
cutting loose from the mugwumpery
and cOWardice of the Northern democ-
racy. The comparison is Odious, but
the negro vote in nine cases out of ten
controls the doubtful States and tile
presidency. There is no reason why
the South, with something like $50
votes, should not hold the balance of
power and go independently into the
electoral college and cast its vote for
shat candidate least inimical to the in
terests of the people of the South. This
will mean that the Northern democracy
is Left free to evade and truckle as
much as it pleases Independently of
southern sentiment it can go ahead and
do What it thinks best to defeat the
Republican party.
If from our standpoint it dominates
a candidate in whom the South has
confidence our electoral vote will be
east for him. The same is true of the
Republican candidate, or any other can
ddate. Should we be unable to get
something which approaches our ideals,
we will cast our vote for a Southern
Democrat. We would better lose with
him than lose with candidate and
platform only partially in sympathy
with rs.
Watson, the defeated Populist candi-
date for the Presidency, in recent
statement, brought out practically this
idea although apparently speaking for
himself. He proposed to cut loose from
the Belmonts, Clevelands, Shehans and
Others of that ilk. and re-establish the
simon-pure Jetfersonan Democracy.
Then the Washington Evening Star
quotes Representative Hay of Virginia
As saying:
Il think the time has come for the
south to assert itself and refuse to any
longer follow the dictates of the north
ern democracy.
''One result of this election will be
that the south will no longer refrain
from asking representation upon the
national ticket. If two southern men
had been nominated at st. Louis the
result could not have been worse. In
fact. believe that Missouri and Mary
land would have been found in the
i'FlIpSidtlC GOiulllI IllS ltdu Ol DODSl lllS
the Republican majority | am in favor
OF Il southern man for President in 1903,
and believe that every southern state
viii demand this recognition when the
time comes to nominate standard
bearer four years from now. The ues-
ton OF availability should rule no long
err
In commenting or this statement the
Star says:
Set up for leadership when you have
not shown the sagacity to wisely follow?
And where would the south lead? What
policies would she offer? The south
thought there was a President and
House of Representatives in the Booker
Washington luncheon! She put that
forward as the browning reason why
Mr. Roosevelt should be defeated. The
civility he had offered to the worthiest
and most eminent member of the negro
race in the world had stamped him in
her eyes as unfit for his high office
Aud at the same time the northern
allies were making earnest play for the
negro vote in every State where it is
received and counted. Yelling until
she was black in the face against negro
domination within her own borders,
she was willing to accept, and secretly
hoping for, control Of New York, New
jersey, Illinois and Indiana through
the manipulation of the negro vote in
those states.
The south lead? With whom? Henry
Watterson, who is well entitled to
speak for her, has said over and over
again in the last few years that the
south has no political leaders. Her
strongest men-and she has her share
of strong men-are engaged in business.
They have been developing her material
resources, while MACHINE politicians
have been pledging and delivering her
at national conventions and at the polls
to anybody and anything promising
division of the political patronage
Why, in twelve years the south has
supported Cleveland and sound money,
Bryan and cheap money, and then Par
ker on platform silent altogether as to
money. Any nomination at st. Louis
on any sort of platform would have
commanded the south's support.
No, we may all be sure, the south is
not going to lead in 1908, for the very
good reason that she has no policies
that are of the slightest interest to
anybody but herself. And they are
hurtful to her. If she cares to shut her
self up and SILVER over the bugaboos of
negro domination and social equality,