The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-07-14

The Restored South.

( After long struggle. or more prop
crly speaking a series of struggles. ex-
tending over 5f,cr.od Of fifty years, the
h. statesnlanship, conservatism and safe
and sane Judgment OF southerners gain
4 comes to the front as a powerful safe
guard 10 the country. This Influence
vas shown In the proceedings Of the re-
cen. Democratic Convention at st. Louis.
There the representatives OF the South
ro longer embarrassed and handicapped
Z b;s. the threat of negro domination. went
To tke front and led those who united to
prssel.sto the country a worthy ticket
On &. safe plat form. s3
The representative from the Southern
+ States had gone up to the convention
with fixed determination to do the
4 right thing at the right time, to perform
"a patriotic duty, coolly, calmly and with
Judgment. and the nomination Of Alton
3. Parker was mainly due to the good
judgment, sound sense and unflinching
% patriotism OF the Southern representation
IN that great convention. (, Then. when
the real contest came; when Judge
Parker's now famous telegram was read
to the convention. 1t was Southern con-
seryatism and craftsmanship that soiidlyI
resisted the effort which was made to
4 demoralize the party and throw 1t into
turmoil and chaos
We have already given space to a
study OF the Southern vote when Mr..
\ Parker was nominated. The official vote
OF the aanventien on John Sharp VIII
( llams s.proposition to assure Judge Park
er that his financial views were. known
and acceptable to the convention is
worthy OF study. The eloquence OF Mr..
& Bryan. and no man can doubt the power
OF his eloquence. the hurrah OF the hired
mob in the galleries. the spirit OF dis.
( order that was manifest in many parts
sof the great hall. could not sway South
crn conservatism and sound sense.
Here is the vote OF the s0utherners In
4 favor OF the assuring message to Judge
Parker: Alabama, 22: Arkansas, 49,;
Georgia, "a; Louisiana, is: Mississippi. 20;
North Carolina. "a; South Carolina. 49,:
Tennessee "a: Kentucky, IS; Virginia. "a;
If West Virginia, IA; Texas, as. The Florida
delegation gave six votes in favor OF the
message 10 four against any action. 1t
Is no use to investigate the vote against
4 sending the message to Judge Parker
y Suffice II TO say that the 191 votes OPP
posing such action came mainly from
the far Western States. IN which the free
I'll, So1t rt.-k
years ago. but few OF which States were
ever known TO cast an electoral vote
for Democratic candidate for the pres
idency.
A study of this vote Is interesting
y taken In connection With the political his
tory Of the South for several years past
To our mind 1t shows conclusiyely that
The Southern States have never been in
\ favor OF the free coinage fallacy.
The simple truth of the matter lis that
ever since 1858 the South has had To be
practically solid in self-defense. From
that year until the close OF the Civil
& War the question Of slavery necessarily
81 kept the South solid, After the war the
e IA reconstruction measures OF the Republi
can party made 1t necessary for South
crn statesmen and all tho Southern pen
ple TO fight for white supremacy and
against negro dominaton,
In 1896 the South was driven into the
Bryan and free silver army, not because
Of its belief In the fanatical platform an.
nounced by Mr.. Bryan and his free sill
yer followers OF the West, but because
the victory for white supremacy at hons
II was not yet fully assured. The South
had to be solid. solid for the party tha,
8 stood UP. for white supremacy. regardles,
yof financial issues. tariff Issues or. an,
and all other Issues, Conditions hay,
n; changed SINCE 1885, BY her own determl