The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-08-31
Will Old Virginia Leadc

: There is at last some reason to believe
that the anti-Bryan sentiment at the
South NAV 1901 assert itself in som
practical and effective way. That the
thinking Democrats in every part of the
country are hostile to any further con-
~tinuation of Mr.. BRYAN's leadership is
a fact VIGOROUSLY beyond dispute. They
fully understand both his inadequacy
and his unfitness. They not only know
that he could not win If nominated, they
are convinced also that he ought not to
be nominated ever though there were
a chance of his success. Hitherto il has
been impossible to discern the prospect
Of an organized effort TO discard the
Bryan superstition. Every indication
pointed to the probability that in de-
fault of initiative by real leaders at the
South the old apathy would reign and
BRYAN flourish as its logical result.
Now. however, We are admonished OF
another and a brighter prospect. The
Lynchburg Ners suggests an early as
sembly of the Democratic State conven-
ton with a view TO the Inauguration and
concerted exploitation Of what may
fairly be described as an anti Bryan
movement. The idea is to proclaim "A
reaction TO the ancient Democratic faith
and incidentally appeal to the Southern
States to enlist in the propaganda. 1t
is proposed, in fact. TO repJrdiate Popu-
lism, Socialism and especially anarchy
in all its forms, and then to call upon
believers in republican institutions and
champions of the liberty defined and
hallowed by our forefathers to ally them
selves with the Democratic reformation.
There is encouragement in the knowl-
edge that the Virginia newspapers, al
most without exception, have responded
10 this keynote in a spirit Of the purest
harmony. Already the NeDs-Leoder Of
Richmond, together with the journal
and the Times Dispatch Of the same city,
have declared themselves in terms quite
unmistakable. So is it true of the Nor
folk Landmark and the Petersburg Inder-
Appeal. We may properly assume that
throughout Virginia there is but one
opinion as to the wisdom of repudiating
false prophets and e~radicating loath-
some stains upon the party shield.
Now comes the always thoughtful
and conservative Observer Of Charlotte.
n. c., with words Of counsel and on
graduation:
The Observer notes this movement with unaf-
fected pleasure. For many reasons Virginia is the
Mites, State to Initiate II, one OF these reasons
being that Its politics are siraigh,er. and have been
for fifteen years. than those OF any other state In
the South. This section has TOO long come In al
the back door and taken its scanty meals In the
Kitchen. II has not only made nothing. but has
los, much In the respcc, OF the public by Its cx-
hlbltIon OF serNilty which could not be construed
otherwise than as confession of infcrtorty. II
Virginia. nttest Of leaders. as is said above. will In
augurntc the renaissance, We should have strong
hope tina, the South would follow and lift Itself
from iis low estate. Con speed The Old Dominion
pres In its praiScworlhy Undertaking"
We await with interest the response to
this that will be made by such
wei known organs of Southern thought
rs the Nashville American, the Mont
Qomcry Advertiser. the Mobile Register,
the Dallas Meas. the Ner Orleans Plea
pune. the Ners and Courier of Charleston.
the Wilmington Messenger and scores of
others that might be mentioned. For
our part, we have no doubt whatever
that Southern Democrats are ready now
10 follow any one who will lead them out
of the mire of despair to the highlands
OF hope and self respect.
As the Charlotte Observer says: Let
Ole Virginny cad"