The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-08
The Claim of Gratitude.

oHHilIlSndm NeWS.
 Ihe advocates of Senator Germans can dtdacy for President assert, with appar- ent confidence, that the South will be a unit for him in the nominating conyen- uon Their confidence in Southern sup port is not due to the belief that MT. Gorman is the kind of a public man the south admireS. In fact, all thinking men must recognize that MT. German is of the type that does not flourish in the South. He Is political boss, and bosses have never been popular in the Southern States. which in their antipathy to one man power as we'll as in the manifestation or other Independent traits display their thorough Americanism. Nor is the as- sumption that the South will rally to Gorman founded upon his record taken as whole, for that record has not been Tn sympathy with Southern interests. The south. however, is so enthusiastically for Gorman, we are told, because he has been consistent opponent of a force bill, and was instrumental in defeating the int- Quitous proposal. Out of gratitude, there fore. the South is to use it's influence to make German President. There are more lsns committed in politics in the name of gratitude than tkere are in the name or sraft. It Is an old trick of the boss utterly devoid of the sentiment himself. To play upon 1t in others. Ingratitude is a contemptible offense, universally so re- garded, but nowhere does 1t meet with the denunciation it receives from the pol itician who dispenses small favors in the
 
 Is an astuteness characteristic of their favorite, therefore, in the claim by the Gorman adherents that the South will support the Marylander for the Presi- dency. The South is expected to overlook all considerations of party and public pol icy to repay a kindness. It is to dis charge It's debts at the cost of the na- ton.
 Since so much stress is laid upon the South's indebtedness to Senator German, 1t is we'll to inquire into it's amount Sem ator German helped defeat the force bill. This Is true, and he deserves credit for tt. But how much? Senator German is Democrat The Democratic Party. with the force bill in operation, would be mere shadow. It would have no more in- fiuence in national affairs than a tipsy tramp at mass meeting. It would haro- ly be important enough to cause a dis turpance. Selt-preservation, therefore, to say nothing of the conduct of other Dem- ocratic Senators, would have prompted Senator German to combat the partisan measure. Again Senator German halls from a State whose sympathies are with the South, one which by ties of blood and commerce is closely united with the South. To have taken any other course than he did would have consigned him to infamy and branded him as a rene gade.
 In opposing the force bill he did his duty. Each Democratic Senator did the same. The South, however. while gratc- tul that 1t escaped such a calamity is under no obligation to support for the Presidency anyone of those who aided in defea ting the force bill Nor would 1t be right for the South to discharge what ever obligation it may be under in such way.
 The friends of Senator German do not snow good taste in exploiting his force olll record and crying Pay! payv' The real questions for the South to decide are these; "Is Senator German the best it. tea man in ths party for the Presidency7' and Can he be elected?'' Unless these questions can be answered in the affirma- uVe the South would be singularly obtuse l 70 US own interest, as well as lacking in party loyalty and deficient in patriotism 1T It voted fo" Senator Germans nomina-