Daily Arizona silver belt., 1908-11-11
THE SOLID SOUTH
Says & Southern contemporary:

Says Southern contemporary:
 ''This country may expect to soc,
 and ought to see solid south just
 so long as the north persists in be-
 ing. 'sohd'-the one democratic,
 the other republican.
 There is good deal of human nature in that statement, also a good deal of conventional logic, but it doesn't ring true for all that, and for the very good old reason that two wrongs do not make a rght-never did, and never will.
 We do not think there ought to be either "solid south or a "solid north" in this land of ours; We do not think wisdom and real patriotism dic- tate the one or the other ,or both. Heal thy opposition should work to the ad- vantage of each, and, incidentally, the entire nation. The splendid democratic isolation of Dixie does not operate to the material advantage, neither does it uplift it morally or politically.
 We regard it as happy sign of the times that Judge Taft received a large and representative vote in Atlanta that great and bustling southern city and we should rejoice to think that ev- cry republican candidate so worthy of intelligent contemplation might receive from the people of the south the same frank and candid consideration. We are glad that the time is at hand when lev elheaded business men, free and un- trammeled voters can go to the polls in Atlanta and vote for a republican who Is clean, honest, and true, and do it with no fear of political or social os- tracism at tho hands of neighbors and friends. And We make note of these things with pleasure, because We are deeply and earnestly impressed with the splendid manhood of the average south erner and the pure and undecided Amer icanism that characterizes him at heart always.
 We truly believe that the breaking up of the "solid south" would tend inev- itably to the breaking up of the "soiid north" of which our contemporary speaks feelingly and not without justi- hcation. If this belief is not founded on error, 1t makes very little difference in our philosophy which breaks first. The soliditY of the south now rests almost, if not entirely, on sentiment, tradition, ard the all but vanished fear of negro domination. The latter, which would be reason enough if it really amounted to menace, is, we think, practically a settled proposition nowadays. The bet ter thought of the north understands the acts, motives and feelings of the so.ith in that regard, and Is quite prepared to acquiesce in them. Threats of reduced congressional representations are, we feel assured, mere buncombe, and the probable outcome of hidebound parti- sanship in the north, small in the aggre- gate and impotent that looks on the "solid south" as one of ropublicanism' most tangible assets. For the south to remain "solid'' from mere sentiment and tradition, if it does remain "solid" for that reason, is not creditable to it. The great question that divided our fathers in the past should not necessari- ly divide us today. Reasonable and dis eliminating patriotism must concede as much.
 The very flower of democracy in this country grows and hourishes in this day and time in Dixieland, but the best and truest opponents of the party faith are not always sent to congress, nor do they seek to assume leadership at home. The average southern congressman is, ap- at least, satisfied to draw his salary, get ''sop' or two for his con- stituency from the public crib, and let it go at that. If there were good, stout aggressive, and dangerous opposition at and worthy republican would show the demo. cratic faith that is in him by his works, l he would make his democracy a potent