The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-07-14


ton that they have heard since the
close of the war.
II has been admitted by all those
who have given attention to political
conditions in the south that the trouble
there has been for years just the
identical things which the secretary
pointed out. though no one has so far
had the temerity to publicly declare
Them. The south. if its political af-
filiations We're in accord with its in
dustria! needs, would be in the repub-
lican column on all national matters.
1t is as much interested in IA tariff
which will protect its industries as is
the northwest or the west. Such being
the case it seems peculiar that it
should not be found casting its suffrage
with the political party which repres-
ents the principles which are best
suited to its development and pros
perity.
Secretary Taft pointed out the rea-
sons why it was not. After calling
attention to the fact that the south was
grouped together and duly accredited
to the democratic party no matter
what the policies and heresies of that
party. and no matter who the man
might represent which that party
might select represented, the south
was always found casting its electoral
for him. and selecting men to repre-
sent it in the law making body who
were ready and willing to enact into
law the policies of the same party, he
stated that the south was scared by
the buggaboo of negro denomination
and racial prejudice.
The south has many industries, es-
pecially its minerals and manufac-
tories. which come in competition with
the products of the outside world and
stand in need of protective advantages.
Many of them in fact flourish today
because of the protection which has
been forced upon them by the north
and west, in nearly every instance
against the votes of the representatives
of the people who are thus protected
The iron and coal industries of Birm-
ingham bid fair to rival those of Pitts
burgh. But not even the representa-
tive of that district dared raise his
voice in urging the adoption of ma
tional policy which was destined to
convert hamlet into a city, and de-
velop the fabulous wealth which had
lain beneath the mountains for CEN
turtles and been trodden over by men
who hardly knew the sight of a dollar
Had he voted for such a measure he
would not only have been retired to
private life but would have had the
odium OF sectional treachery heaped
upon him-something which in the
south means social as we'll as business
ostracism
Why do the people of the south, who
are in measure we'll informed, take
this narrow and illogical view of a
matter which so vitality concerns their
interest? 1t had its origin in the
hatred engendered against the carpet
baggers who attempted to rule rough
shod at time when the rancor of
defeat and the bitterness of locality
ranked most in the hearts of the
southerners. They developed hatred
against the north which so far as
matters political are concerned they
have handed down from generation to
generation with little dimunition of
intensity.
If the protective policy were demo-
cratic doctrine it would today sweep
the south and its most vigorous
champions would come from that Sec
ton. 1t is opposed because it is re-
publican. In the south it is the mea-
surfing of prejudice against policy and
prejudice has so far won, not SO much
because that alone has been the
weight in the down scale as because
the cry of negro dominion has been
used as the guise. In the south the
belief is that in case of republican
the rule of the colored race
would be assured.
Taft told the people such was a
falsehood used to deceive the voters.
1t took courage to make the declara-
ton, but it will be the beginning of
a discussion of the question. And
when the truth is forced upon the
people the solid south will fade away
and the republican party will be repre-
sented from that section in the halls
of congress and the southern states
will have a voice in the making of
presidents.