The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-09-12

Baltimore Sun.
 Sometimes the unexpected happens mot often, to be sure, despite the proverb. but just often enough to show that there is an element of uncertainty In all the activities or this life--iu love, in war, in politics Who will say that the unexpected will befan impos- sibility when the Democratic National Convention nominates the party's can didate for President in 1908? Who will deny that the Democracy has more than one man who is of Presidential ties of the Chief Magistracy with abil- ity and dignity?
 Let it be supposed, for instance. that the Democratic party should consider It expedient to select its standard- bearer i'l the Presidential contest two years hence from the South, which has been the stronghold of Democracy for generations and Is now the chief hope and renance Of that party. The only President elected by the Democratic party since 1856 was New Yorker. and his election was effected by an all llance of the East and the South. The Democratic party in New York has as yet no candidate for the nomination in 1908. The Goutli--for reasons well un- derstood, but which no longer exist has not since the civil war advanced a Presidential ticket It has been con tent to accept the nominees of the De- mocracy ci the East ana West and to furnish electoral votes for the norni- nees when most of the Western and Eastern States gavA their electoral votes to the candidates Of the opposi- tion. The attitude of the Southern Democracy has been one Of unfailing sacrifice, for 1t has really effaced it. self for the good Of the national De- mocracy. But what if Southern Dem- ocrats--the only Democrats who can election day-should decide to ask rep resentation on the national ticket of their party in 1908, to demand first place? Is 1t probable that the South's eration. that the Democratic party. m national convention assembled. would ignore the only States In which there seems to be a militant, dependable De-
 If it he asked what Southern Demo- crats measure up to the Presidential standard, 1t may be answered that Vir- ginia, the mother of Presidents, of states and statesmen, has at least one son who would ably discharge the du- ties of President-Hon; Andrew Jack son Montague, formerly Governor Of the Old Dominion. who represents the generation of Virginians who have no association with the civil war. MT. Montague is recognized not only at home. but in the North. as man of vigorous intellect, with high ideals-a clear headed, prdCtlcal StdISSmdH, WHo gave Virkinte an admirable adminia- tration as Governor So Tar as intel lect and force of character are con- cerned, Mir. Montague is as capable of filling the Presidential office as Mir. Roosevelt was when he became Presi- dent in 1901. If the Democratic party should evince a desire to give South orn man first place on the ticket in 1903. Virginia could present MT. Mon. tague as a man in whom the national Democracy could feel absolute conn., dence.
 But there are tther Southern Demo- crats who may be considered good Presidential material senator Bailey, of Texas, has proved himself man of great intellectual callber-a tower of strength to his party tfY-~ the Senate. Senator Culberson, of Texas, is strong. serious, weighty man. who has qualifications which would make him President who acted only after deliber- ation. Georgia .night we'll present the claims of Hon. Hoke Smith, who was member of President Cleveland's Cab met and has recently been nominated Tor Governor of that State. Governor Folk. of Missouri, is a reformer of the most aggressive type. wno has done a great work in purging the State gov ernment of corruption and In prosecute ing municipal frauds. e
 These are the types of men who might be chosen if the Democratic party of the nation should decide to go