The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1906-09-27
DEMOCRACY NORTH AND SOUTH


Mr.. Bailey Thinks He Sees an Opportu-
nifty for Southern Democracy-But, alas,
His Idol Has Fallen.
Biblical Recorder.
Let us say in the outset that if
the opportunity we are to discuss
were a partisan opportunity, we
should not discuss it here; but it is
an opportunity for the South and
the nation, and for that reason We
will discuss it here.
The opportunity for Southern
Democrats and the South that we
speak of is the opportunity of South
ern Democrats to take charge of their
party, save it from the perils which
have 80 often shipwrecked it and
from the captains who are now pre-
pairing to run it another four years.
journey up Salt River; the oppor-
tunity of Southern Democrats to
restore the South to her rightful
prestige and to contribute to the ma.
ton an order of political policy
worthy of our time and country.
The opportunity is at hand. Ten
days ago 1t might have been said
that we owed it to Mr.. Bryan and
the West to efface the Southern will
for the hundredth time. But Mr..
Bryan has deliberately foisted upon
his party program which spells
ruin for the party and, rightfully so,
since it spells ruin for the nation.
If he were mindful to repent, it
were now impossible for him to re-
trieve his lost vantage. But he is
not mindful to repent. He is by
nature radical {; and it is impossible
for him to be otherwise. If the
South were ever so disposed to fol-
low him; to follow him now means
once more to plunge into hopeless
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 to-
gether under his leadership.
The South that stood united on
the money question will not 80 stand
on the government ownership ques-
tion. These seven years the South
ern people have increased in politi-
cal independence. They will not
suffer another paramount issue or
divine ratio. for which they have no
stomach, to be rammed down their
Threats In the name Of party fealty
or any other name.
The opportunity is at hand. The
Democratic party stands orphaned
in the presence Of its enemies, and
in the very hour when vigorous,
militant opposition to the dominant
party would have been good for the
nation and for all concerned. It is
party without leader. The rank
and file have policy. But they
cannot put their hands on a leader
that will rally them to their policy.
The leaders of the Democratic
party in the nationwide are they?
Tom Taggart-gambler! He is the
national chairman, and the fact is
eloquent Of the low estate of the
party in the nation, and humble in
fuence of the South in the party.
Other leaders are Murphy, New
York, barkeeper and tough; Hearst,
Of New York, degenerate demagog
Bryan, the radical; Tom johnson,
idealist Ryan and Belmont, Wall
street manipulators +! It is time
somebody was taking hand! Aud
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 polls
cies; should consent while these,
impotent to command support in
their own States, assume to direct
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 become response
BILE for the follies of this aggrega-
tion, should suffer this galaxy Of po-
litical curiosities, to offer in her
name series OF political policies
that bear all the marks of their
mongrel origin?
The South has no Bryan, but she
has MIR. Bailey, of Texas, man of
far more ability every way; she has
no Taggart, but she has Folk, of
Missouri she has no Murphy, but
she has John Sharpe Williams, of
Mississippi she has no Belmont,
but she has John w. Daniel, Of Vir-
ginia. The simple truth is, that the
brains and the character and the
principles Of the Democratic party