The semi-weekly messenger., 1906-10-23
THE SOUTH'S OPPORTUNOTY
1t Should Take Possession OF the Dem.
Ocratic Party and Control 1t.

ocratic Party and Control It.
Let us say in the outset that il the
opportunity we are to discuss were
partisan opportunity, we should
not discuss it here; but it is an op-
portunity for the south and the ma
ton, and for that reason we will dis
cuss it here.
The opportunity for southern demo-
Gratis and the south that We speak
OF IS the opportunity of southern
democrats TO take charge OF their
party, save it from the perils which
have so often shtpwrecked it and
from the captains who are now pre-
pairing to run it another four years
journey up Salt river; the opportu-
nifty Of the southern democrats 20
restore the south to her rightful pres
tige and to contribute 20 the nation
an order Of political policy worthy
of our time and country.
The opportunity is at hand Ten
days ago it might have been said
that We owed it to Mr. Bryan and the
west to efface the southern will for
the hundreth time. But Mr. Bryan
has deliberately fOisted upon his
party programme which spells ruin
for the party, and, rightfully 50, since
1t spells ruin for the nation. II ne
were mindful to repent, il were now
Impossible fer him to retrieve his
lost vantage. But he Is not mindful
to repent, He is by nature radical;
and it is impossible for him TO DC
otherwise If the south were ever 50
disposed to follow him, to follow now
means once more to plunge into hope
less defeat. And worse, for to follow
him now means division to the very
heart Neither in the nation nor in
the south can the party hold together
under his leadership.
The south that stood united on the
money question will not so stand on
the government ownership question
These seven years the southern peJ-
pie have increased in political inde-
Iendence. They will not suffer another
paramount issue or divine ratio. for
which they have no stomach, to he
rammed down their throats in the
name of party fealty or any other
name
The opportunity is at hand. The
democratic party stands orphaned i'll
the presence of it's enemies, and in
the very hour when a vigorous, mil
liant opposition to the dominant par
ty would have been good for the ma
tiOn and for all concerned. It is &
party without leader The rank
and file have policy. But they can
not put their hands on a leader that
will rally them to that policy.
The leaders of the democratic party
in the nationwide are they? Tom
Taggart-gambler! He is the nation
al chairman, and the fact is eloquent
of the low estate Of the party in the
nation, and the humble influence Of
the south in the party. Other lead
ers are Murphy, New York, barkeeper
and tough: Hearst, of New York, de-
generate demagogue; Bryan, the rad
ical; Tom Johnson, idealist; Ryan and
BelmOnt-Wall street manipulators!
1t is time somebody was taking a
hand! And what is the south made
of that she should stand aside for
such as these; should acquiesce while
these lead her into all manner Of
absurd policies; should consent while
these, impotent to command support
the destinies of a great political party
the historic instrument of popular
government in the New World? What
is the south made of that she should
became responsible for the follies Of
this aggregation, should suffer this
galaxy Of political curiosities, to Of
fer in her name a series of political
policies that bear all the marks of
their mongrel origin?
, The south has no Bryan but she
has Mr.. Bailey, of Texas, a man Of
far more ability every way; she has
no Taggart, but she has Folk. of Mis-
souri,; she has no Murphy, but she has
John Sharpe Williams, of Mississippi:
she has no Belmont, but she has John
w. Daniel, of Virginia. The simple
truth u.s., that the brains and the
character and the principles of the
democratic party are in the south
as we'll as the votes that count.
But, it is replied. you cannot win
without the northern and western
votes. Very true. And since Taggart
and Murphy have failed to carry
these northern and western states
we venture the opinion that nothing
could be lost and much might be gain
ed by offering these states a genuine
and unvarnished southern policy
which would have within it at least
the merit of honesty and high inten-
ton. And we have to say, moreover,
that it is time some one were saying
Eyes, and you have to carry the
south too" The south has wandered
in the wilderness forty years. She
has followed Moses and she has fol-
lowed Aaron; and in their absence she
has worshipped the golden calves, and
worse. But the south has reached tie
point where she cannot be counted
upon to acquiesce-to efface herself
to accept anything; to follow any lead
ers; to support any policy. The south
has more self-respect than you think
even the politicians. You have got
to carry the south, as we'll as west
and east and north! The south will
not always retreat, will not always
make battle for causes not her own
| only to reap the reward Of overwhelm-