The Washington herald., 1908-07-23
Why Solid South or Solid NOrthl

A curious condition OF things political
is found in the fact that the section OF
Jhe country least enthusiastic for Bryan
and least ardent in his support is relied
upon most confidently 10 cast its vote for
him in November. That section IS the
South-in partisan parlance. the Solid
South
Il is Of common knowledge, an &C
cspted fact. that the leaders OF the Dem
Oeratic party at the South. however eIo-
quent they may become on the hUstings,
really have little faith in this third Bryan
campaign. and are prepared already 10
witness q repetition OF 1896. If not OF
1900 Theirs is a case Of hope deferred
msLeth the heart sick
Radical in spots on local issues. often
ucrcurial as % men and measures OF its
owl. fuu OF sentimental regard for Roose-
welt and pride in his autecedent history.
the South. in national affairs. is conser-
vaJive rather than radical and at heart
more Republican than Democratic II
has enjoyed its greatest prosperity under
Republican administrations. II has prof
tied by the tariff policy OF the last decade
and has not joined IN the clamor for
freer -rade. Il IS a believer in expansion
and IS a substantial beneficiary OF IL It
sees vast possibilities for the further de-
velopnent Of its material interests IN
the completion Of the Panama Canal. a
project started by a Republican admin
istration- And so It is that the South.
approving generally Of existing conditions.
takes but a perfunctory interest in M
Bryan's candidacy. and IS to-day held in
line BY the Democracy only by the fact
that in that great and truly American
section there IS still no Republican party
OF organization worthy OF the name
There is 10 valid reason why any state.
much less any section, should be eternauy
bound by tradition or through prejudice TO
q particular party and thus estopped
from voting its real convictions at the
polls What is here said applies with
equal force To such States as Iowa and
Pennsylvania al the North as 10 Georgia
and Texas at the SoUth- IN this enlight-
~--~-- 10y ----7 ca "a NANEAE5e ana mae
pendent thinking and action. why should
It be a f0regone conclusion that any State
North or South should be solidly Republi-
can or soIidIy Democratic, regardless Of
fssues2
Roosevelts denomination would have
spit the Solid South There IS little
doubt about that Taft possibly may ac-
compIsh something in that direction. At
any rate, It is evident that both he and
his managers deem il worth striving for.
Should the effort succeed clean and
honest and high-minded effort only. could
succeed-the effec1 would be wholesome
al around
4 spiit-up Of the South. clearly disin-
1erested as 10 Bryan. and OF the West
reported 10 be ''on fire" for him. what
ever the effect upon the Presidential con-
test, would make for the strengthening
and betterment OF both the old parties
alike. and such a result would rebound 10
the eountry's good.
Why should not the Republican party
make a hard drive for some Of the South
e-n States while the Democratic party IS
setting out to capture the North and
West? What would promise better for
The future than a battle royal both South
and North? All lovers OF the country, in
spite Of partisanship, would like 10 see It
Perhaps Taft's invasion Of Virginia
may mean great things political Who
knOws2