The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-08-06
SENTIMENT VS.. COMMERCIALIsM.

waters. The difference between them
and the men who are known as com"
mercialists" is that they put money
value upon cotton, tobacco and other
products of farm and mill. but they
refuse to put a money value upon
their political convictions, upon their
political influence, upon their vote, or
to stand for those policies that give
special favor to those interests that
can grab them at the expense OF the
others. The difference may be also
thus stated: The "Commercialists'
despise the literal teachings of the
Declaration of Independence and
Equal Rights to All and Special
Privilege to None" They would give
special privilege to the rich and pow
erful. The "Sentimentalists" as they
are sneeringly called, are just as
Jealous in making money and develop
ing the wealth of the South, but they
will not demand for themselves, or
favor for others, and governmental
subsidy or favor, but they will stand
and industries by government. The
"Commercialists" might develop a lit
tie more rapidly and monopoiZe all
the wealth in the hands of the few.
The "Sentimentalists," or the Pa
triots, as they should be called, are
working for a steady and symmetrical
development that will give a chance
.or all men of industry and brains to
get a fair division of the wealth that
comes from the development of our re-
sources instead of pouring it all into
the laps of the few trust magnates
and booming the masses of men to
vassalage.
1t is gratifying to see that Senator
Martin repudiates the doctrine of the
Commentaries. In the Norfolk
Landmark of August End, there is q
statement from Senator Martin, and
we are glad to give it space because
our criticism was based upon his re-
ported declaration that looked like he
vas sneering at true sentiment and
craftsmanship. 4 Senator Martin
statement is as follows:
"On arriving here tonight my at
tention was called to an editorial in
the Times-Dispatch of this date COM
menting on the following quotation
from a report of my speech at New
port News:
"'My competitor says that if APP
preparation is all we want, we had
better send Republican to the
70 1
pected such an argument from
man who has held office under the
Democratic party since the time
he left his mothers arms,
81 believe that Southern
statesmen have spent too much
time In talking about sentiment
and the Constitution. Sentiment
will not provide food for your
family or raiment for your vile
and children, | have tried to get
for Virginia a part of what is 60
ing
81 understand some reference has
been made to the same matter in The
Norfolk Landmark.
1.-THE language attributed to me does
not fairly represent any views eX-
pressed in my speech at Newport News
or in any other speech made by me at
any time Indeed, the language used
by me at Newport News in this con-
nection did not differ materially from
what | said in my speeches made at
Richmond and at other places.
4 81 did say, discussing the relative
importance of material and pract1acf
matters as contrasted with sentiment
tai and theoretical ones that it seemed
to me representatives from the South
ern States had perhaps devoted too
much time to the former and too lit
tie to the latter.
Fearing l might be misunderstood
or misrepresented, l have on each oc-
casion when referring to this matter
taken pains to say that did not wish
to be understood as depreciating.
proper discussion of constitutional
construction or abstract theories OF
government or as speaking disparag-
ingly of high ideals or noble senti-.
ment, but that l simply desired to
emphasize the idea that these did not
constitute the sum of all endeaVor In
the discharge of representative duty,
but that in this age of material pro-;
gress and practical purpose l did not
wish the Northern States to get the
advantage and that / had devoted a
large share of my time to the work OF
getting such appropriations as l
thought would be helpful in the de-,
velopment of the State. No one can
attach more importance than l do to
sentiment to high ideals, to strict ad-
herence to constitutional limitations.
or to sound principles, and the context