Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-12-22
Mr.. TAFT AND THE SOUTH.

We are much pleased at the pros
pect that Mr. Taft will visit Jackson
vile. His stay will be brief if he
comes at ALL but we are not selfish
enough to object to this. We would
like Mr.. Taft to see much o: the
South and the South to see much OF
Mr.. Taft while he is still a private
, citizen.
1t is pleasing TO note that Mr..
Taft seems to share this wish. Since
his nomination he has been a resi-
dent of the South except when he was
away on his campaign, and he express
SEES the intention o. spo ming the win.
ter among our people. 1t matters lit
tie whether he is in Virginia or
Georgia or Florida: there are So.
600. 900 people who will feel nearer
to the next president Of the United
States on account Of his prolonged
visit to the section they live In. That
feeling already exists and it will!
grow.
This nation has long been two
nations in the feeling OF each and in
the way each regard tn" other. We
do not mean it has been TWO unfriend-
" nations. The iii will that once
existed has long since died out and
the people Of each section have long
felt a pride In their common country.
In spite .; thu there has been a feel
ing Of 6iStinctness that might also
pass away without loss to the country.
The southern people have long felt
tina; one of their number could not
hope 10 be elected president. The
impression We think has outlived the
conditions that once justified H.. but
it still exists. The feeling has been
that the president mus. come from
that other though not uufriendly
country with whose dsstiEiGs the
destin'cs of our country are Joined.
by lengthy visit to The south ana
by travelling over the south as unos-
tentatiousIy as the peop;e he visits
will permit Mr.. Taft will do much 10
give the people CT the South feel,
ing OF oneness with the y. s;dent of
the United States and > merge the
two countries into ore.
We doubt IL any man who has held
high public Office in many years il
better liked than Mr.. Taft by the
people of the South. This strong liz
ing for Ir. TAFT is lased on the be
lief that he uTdcrstsndS the South
better than any high public Official
has understood Il in many years.
Throughout all DixiclaGd Mr.. Taft is
regarded as the South's friend
In party ccnse Tho has nothing
In Do NTH ,xniif.~S II Taft IN
more excpect the South 10 express its
fris ndliness b. voting t.c Republican
ticket than the South can expect him
10 express his good will by voting
the Democratic ticket There l. much
less scntinien; IN the Souths opposi-
tion 20 the Republican party than
Mr. Taft has been led to believe. I.
he can induce congress To give IN"
country substantial tariff reform
there NAV BE- something IN .hc talk Of
political div: sion in this section. The
people krow what they want II -
not cficss. To Democrat has a right
to expect them aud no real Democrat
will get them. The agricultural SoI;h
Is heavily taxed in the interests Of
the manufacturing North As long az
this continues the South viii remain
solidly Dcmccratic. When 70 ceases
MANY southern mon will think that
nothing inrortart Is left for party di.
vision. Whether u conii--cs c. e..s.
however. Mr. Taft viii hold L.Sh
pisce IN the affections Of the southern
people " he dots nothing to forfeit
h aNa no one believes he will
Torids rimesUnion.