The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-01-02

fully apparent to anyone who really
M ,erstands negro character, whether
Tiiinan comprehends it or not. IL
the presidents course in the Browns
vile matter be not sustained, it Will
be impossible to maintain discipline
in the negro regiments. Moreover, the
same spirit will manifest itself among
negroes who are not soldiers and will
cause serious trouble. The president
is right and has got to be sustained.
Here is the view Of it taken by the
Democratic New York Times:
.eThe implacable Batavian obstl-
macy with which the president main
tains his position in respect to the
discharge Of the negro soldiers will
delight the souls of those, the world
over. who believe that might makes
right. On the other hand Senator
Foraker's destructive criticism Of the
presidents attitude, his examination
of the evidence and the facts, his cl-
tations Of law and precedent and de-
cisions, his demonstration that the
order discharging the troops was an
act without authority in the constitu-
ton on in the statutes, has given
some comfort to those who believe
that the presidents position is un-
sound in reason. in morals, and in
Justice and ought to be unsound in
law. But there the matter rests. II
it is carried Afurther it appears that
we shall presently note the impact of
a force morally irresistible upon
body physically imnaovable.
.sThe president, it is said has de-
.clared that he will veto any act of
congress intended to undo his work,
and he defes the nations legislators
to impeach him. That is an empty
boast. There are 90 senators ,and
the constitution requires that in i'm
peachment trials two thirds Of the
senators present must vote for con-
viction or the proceeding fails. The
president could count with absolute
certainty upon the support Of % SEN.
ators of the solid south and he knows
it. A score, perhaps two scores, Of
northern senators would back him
up. Nobody but himself has men
toned impeachment, and he would
have done well to leave the word out
Of the discussion. Still, since he can
make no reply to the moral and legal
argument, it was natural enough, and
also characteristic, that he should
point to his unconquerable battalions.
.It is now political fight. Senator
Foraker, who has certain Ohio scores
30 pay off, notably the presidents at
tempt to wrest the State from his con-
troll, could not very well overlook the
indefensible Brownsville position as
an inviting point Of attack. He will
gain something. but not a complete
victory. Can it be thought that Mr.
Roosevelt plays politics? Wei. Mr-
Henry Arthur Jones, IN one OF his
plays makes the principal male CHAR
acter, who is philosopher and some
thing Of cynic, observe, "of course,
if you set up a very high standard
for other people and make them con-
form to it, that surely gives you the
right to exercise a great deal Of dis
cretion in your own private action.
When the order disnissing the negro
soldiers issued the south was instant
ly attentive. Crrc vas condoned, the
memory Of Indianola was instantly
effaced and the dinner to Booker
Washington ceased to be spoken OF.
Politicians of Mr.. Roosevelt's prac-
tice and attainments are given to the
habit of calculation. They weigh one
force against another and will read1-
ly risk small losses for great gains. To
have shocked the moral sentiment OF
the north was p loss. But to have
won the well-nigh universal approbsL-
ton Of the south was gain that may
be turned to good account. OF course,
in political calculations Of this kind
unfortunate Interior consequences.
like those reported in the morning
dispatches of outbreaks Of violence by
colored troops are not taken into con-
sideration-such possibilities are not
even reckoned with; failure to fore
see, however, does not provide an es-
cape from responsibility
sfR. j. NJ. SULLIVAN IN OFFICE.
Has Succeeded Col. Wharton on the
Railroad Commission.