The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1907-07-13
EDITOR SENTINEL:


Support him?" The people believe
that he is in sympathy with their in
tereStS and in touch with the pro-
gressive problems that now attract at
tention throughout the United States
and demand solution in some practical
way. They further believe that as
governor Of the state he had the cOur-
age to interpoSe his veto to arrest a
threatened danger in the bill allowing
a corporation to monopOlize large
portion of the valuable lands of south
Mississippi and place it permanently
and for hOmeSteadS for our people,
that he had the courage to veto the
railroad bill to merge the railroads,
although great influence was brought
to bear upon him.
Mississippi, under such aggressive
leadership, has been in the forefront
in every effort to redeem the South
from political bondage since the Civil
War. While there have been croak-
erS and men who feared the result of
every reform movement in the demo-
cratic ranks, and dire disaster has
been predicted, yet we have steadily
moved to the front under the leader
ship of some of our best and wlSeSt
men, and have accomplished results
that prove the wisdom OF our efforts
to redeem Mississippi from negro rule.
The state and Federal government
wasin the nds o. the enemy, Fed
eral bayonets in every county, the
offices filled by men hostile TO the in
tereStS of the state, yet we boldly de-
clared we would make the effort to
redeem our state from radical mis-
rule, while many of our party predict
ed that we could do nothing, that we
did not have the ear OF the North,
that the ma ajOrity in the state was
largely against us and that we could
not hope TO do anything in the way
of bringing about a change in the Sit
uation. They claimed that it would
be ridiculous to appeal to to the hos
tile sentiment Of the weakened and
and the croaker and went forward
trusting to the righteousness OF our
cause and the omnipotent power OF
Justice and truth, and we won bat
de the effects Of which freed the en-
tire South from bayonet rule and
robbery. Had the DO nothing"
policy prevailed, where would Miss
isSbpi be O-bay?
Mississippi lead the way in Showing
how 10 regain white supremacy,
which she is determined to maintain.
and other states followed. When Gen.
George proposed that Mississippi hold
a constitutional convention and frame
a new constitution for our people the
same week -kneed crowd cried out a.
painst the wisdom of the movement
anb predicted dire results. This ag-
pressive leadership, backed by the pa
triotic people of Mississippi, brushed
the croakers aside and pusht d the car
Of progress to the front, and IN
spite of northern opposition and
threats, Mississippi adopted a consti-
tuition that for the time being gave
!, control of the state to the white pe0-
BILE. This reform was made despite
the prophecy of ruin and disastrous
results predicted by some OF our wise
men and weak -kneed patriotS-the
same crowd that opposes action now.
We must profit by by past experience
in choosing leadership. The people
believe that Vardaman is imbued with
the spirit oi reform and aggressive
leadership. that he comes nearer rep
resenting the progressive spirit that
in the past has accomplished SO much
for the state than any other man no"
in public life. We further believe
that other great reforms are necessary
in the administration of our govern
ment and that while all necessary re-
forms may not be possible, we believe
that he will not be afraid or ashamed
because others are not likely to aid
him, to 60 to the front and stand for
the right as God has given him the
courage to see the right and to do the
right, although opposed by all the min
ions of power and greed in the United
States Senate. Tine people are fol
Vardaman because he stands for pro-
| gressive and aggressive measures.
! such leadership as has saved us in the
past from ruin. He does not say he
| is for public measure and believes it
is right and ought to prevail, and at
the same time refuse to enter the
contest for it's accomplishment. The
people do not believe that a man is
best qualified to represent them ir
the senate who ridiculeS every effort
TO accomplish results along lines they
believe to be for the best interests o.
the stale. Away with your weak ant
cringing policy and give us a mar
with the courage of his convictions
and although we may not succeed full.
in our efforts, yet we will have th
proud satisfaction of following a lead
| er whose plume was always in th'
forefront of the battle striking TO
what is believed by all to be right
u Ali great political battles for the lib
Grafton of our people from negro rul
, since the Civil War were won by az
| gressive leadership, backed by the pa
triotic people of the state, who ha
| no axe to grind, while crOakers an
- lot