Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-19
Summers and Their Claims.

Many southern democrats have been
campaigning in the north and west. and
a few northern and western republicans
have been campaigning for the first time
in the south. We are now hearing from
these men in interviews respecting the re-
suit at the polls.
The southern men are convinced that
Mr.. Bryan will be elected. A landslide
is their only Interpretation Of what they
have seen and heard. What else could ex-
plain the crowds they have assisted in en-
pertaining and the cheering that has all
but split their ears? Surely unless the
people meant to back their enthusiasm
with their votes they would not demean
themselves as they are now doing.
The northern and western StumperS are
equally amazed at what they have heard
and seen in the south. They are claiming
no electoral votes from that section. but
express the opinion that if Judge Taft
is successful next month he will be certain
to receive a good deal of southern sup
port for reelection four years hence.
This is their Interpretation Of the crowds
they have addressed in states normally
democratic. What does this interest in
the expounding of republican doctrines
mean IL HOl d lToIIl olu u
new? Why pack halls and cheer speak
ers unless in manifestation of sincere APP
prevail?
Southern politicians, as a rule, know
little of real campaigning such as north
ern, western and middle states show.
Everything is calm as a mill pond in their
territory. Now and then breeze springs
up over a primary contest between two
democrats, and the face of the waters is
slightly wrinkled. But a storm is I'M
known. In campaign years few speeches
are made at the county seats, but as al
are in one key and are not challenged
they arouse but languid interest. On
election day a few thousanad votes choose
a representative to Congress. and it some
times happens that a governor is chosen
by only a few more votes than are polled
in one Congress district In Ohio. or I'LL
nois, or New York. Naturally, therefore.
men SO trained are startled and encOur-
aged upon finding themselves before large
audiences accustomed to genuine politics
and anxious to hear both sides. Every
manifestation of interest and politeness
looks to them like support for their side.
Northern and western republicans
stumping in the south, If men of talent
and address and high position. are treat
ed we'll purely on personal grounds. They
have attention, but it does not mean
votes. At Richmond the other night
Judge Taft addressed an audience which
for size and representative character is
seldomed equaled in honor of a demo-
cratic visitor. 1t surprised both him
and the friends accompanying him. But
it will have no bearing at all on election
day The sun is no more certain to
rise on that day than Virginia is to vote
for Mr.. Bryan.
Visitors north or south with political
messages to deliver are apt for the time
to be influenced by local hullabaloo. and
to read local situations and portents
largely through that medium. What Mr..
Smith from a gulf state thinks of New
York or Kansas. or Mr.. Jones from a
northern state of Georgia or Virginia.
from gazing on crowds gathered to hear
a political speech, is of very small value
to those figuring on the general situa-
ton.