The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1905-11-03
"a SALUTE TO THE SOUTH
The Springfield Republicans View OF
President Roosevelt's imp 10
the South.
'Sorinefield Republican.

'Springfield Republican.
President Roosevelt has begun his
southern tour with an address at his
eo,ic Richmond, the capital Of the
~Confederacy, place that is alive with
the memories of the south's great
heroes. The opening passages make
6actful and gracious salute to the
southern people, with its cordial REL
.ereaces to their unsurpassed valor IN
wr and the success in restoring their
material prosperity in the ensuing
years of peace No one can doubt Mr..
Rooseve1t's absolute sincerity IN this
tribute, which reaches plane OF elo-
1uence not often attained by him, in
shat moving passage, beginning:
<eThink of it, oh, my coun1rymen'
aaaink OF the good fortune that is
ours!"
The remainder of the speech runs
eery briefly over the questions that
confront the nation, as Mr.. Roose-
Welt sees them, and, as whole, the
address serves admirably as an in
4roduction to the series Of discussions
ON matters of public interest that will
9ol1cw at various points of the tour.
The keynote of the journey, as here
;7ndicated, is clear. The president OF
,the United States approaches the
south with outstretched hands, ana
frankly seeks its good will and friend
ship. It is easy to imagine that he has
q motive stronger than most presl-
deats could have, for the memory OF
his southern mo1her can hardly fail to
stir in him the keen desire to gain the
approval and even the love OF MS
mothers people. THE touch OF ser'tl-
nent with which we may thus invest
this Journey of the Chief Magistrate
lifts it above the ordinary political
tour, and gives it a dramatic quail
aty also tha. has fixed the attention OF
The nation.
The president, too, approaching the
south with rne purpose of showing
shat he values its public opinion IN
snatters, which concern the country at
aarge. It has ;oeen lately asserted, to
be sure, that Mr.. Roosevelt will utilize
ahe trip TO win for his public policies,
soon to be put to the test OF Congress
sional action, that measure OF south
ern or democratic support which may
be necessary to make good the losses
among his own party followers. he
needs votes, it is charged, for his rail-
road programme; the south IS to be
asked to furnish them. Even II this
be true, it is no heinous act, tor where
votes are to be had they may be hon
sosably sought by political leaders.
Yet, putting aside: uncertain political
u1otives, there is an aspect OF the
presidents journey with its discussion
of the questions of the day that must
command wide and nstintedapplause.
The effect of his addresses, now upon
gue ;ouestion, now upon another, IN
EIGHT different states, is to prove that
no president with the highest degree
Of success can administer the affairs
of this country or lead even that one
ef ;1ts great political parties which IS
an q small minority in all that region,
vMissffhou. recognizing and taking heavl-
sy into account the southern people,
4 distinguished southern senator in
she recent presidential campaign
when it had already become apparent
xhat the democratic candidate whom
the south had earnestly supported was
doomed to defeat, bitterly complained
that the south had become an outcaSt
IN the politics of the nation, that the
rest of the country distrusted its views
and purposes, 'and that it was lncreas-
7ngly difficult for that section to play
ats legitimate part in the government
OF the country, If such feeling" ex-
asts among the southern people-and
dts wide prevalence is TO be doubted
it seems that the republican presl-
dents tour and discussions of his pol
7cies, face to face with them, must be