The Washington herald., 1908-07-06

Chicago, July 5.-Edward B. Clark,
writing for the Evening Post. has the
following to say Of the political situation:
The Republican party will make a di-
rect effort this year 20 break the solid
South. The leaders have come to the be-
lief that there is hope OF victory in what
in the past has been considered the en-
emy's country. The struggle 10 capture
several OF Democracy's stronghoIds will
be made with high hope and whole heart.
1t is William H. Taft's strong desire to
capture the electoral votes OF some OF tho
Southern States. He will account his VIC
tory great II the South has a share In Il.
The Republican candidate believes that he
has more than a mere fighting chance in
Tennessee and North Carolina, and that
there is something better than a forloru
hope in Virginia.
Omtts Missouri! and Kentucky,
In his view Of the solid South. Mr.. Taft
takes no account OF Missouri and Ken
lucky. They are not part OF Democ-
racy's solidifed Southern strength. Tbe
Republican party has shown recently that
the enemy's grasp on Missouri and Ken
tucky is one that can be ioosened.
Mr. Taft wants 10 wrest from the op-
position some OF the States that they
have put down in the column OF certain
ties. The Republican campaign leaders
agree with him that his quest for South
ern votes is not entirely without reason.
President Roosevelt has said that IL was
one OF the desires OF his life 70 win the
South. The South has been his In a per-
saHsl II not in political way ever since
the day re paid his visit TO fever-stricken
New Orleans. This visit touched a chord
OF sentiment in the South, and removed
the last OF the resentment that was felt
because OF a certain White House lunch
con incident.
Roosevelt Joins in Wish.
No State OF the solid South cast its
electoral vote for Theodore Roosevelt. but
it may be that his policies viii receive
the Endorsement Of a part of the South
at the coming election. In a sense, Mr..
Roosevelt probably viii regard a victory
for Taft in Tennessee or elsewhere in
the Southland as a victory for himself
He will not be far wrong in so look
ing at it. If Il shall come.
Mr.. Taft has spoken in the South.
Tennessee particularly holds him in high
favor. All the Democrats in the Senate
and House Of Representatives. and the
majority Of them are Southerners, have
something stronger than a mere liking
for the outgoing War Secretary. South
erners who go 10 Washington during
the sessions OF Congress voice the ad-
miration Of their States for Taft, saying
a first word perhaps for Roosevelt.
Significance in Press Comment.
Recently there was significant edi-
torial utterance in the Atlanta Constitu-
ton. The editorial was called How the
South Views Judge Taft" The Con-
says:
And while the Constitution and the
Southern States. speaking by and large,
a political alignment antag-
onistic to Judge Taft, we risk few con-
tradictiOns in stating that the dominant
element in this Section will view his
as the wisest and most ac-
ceptable choice that could have been
made by the party so far as the interests
Of the South and the nation are con-
cerned.
The affiliations OF the Constitution and
he Southern States are too well known
TO require elaboration. But should the
Democratic party fail Of success at the
polls next November, we believe obServ-
ant Southerners will regard the accession
IF Judge Taft with confident compla-
,ency."
Leaning Toward ROOseveItism.
In commenting on this Southern edl-
orial expression. a Northern Democratic
newspaper has said that for years the
south. "in spite Of a theoretical rever-
nee for Jeffersonian principles and
theoretical detestation Of Capitalization,
las been a hotbed OF Rooseveltism. No
,ody need be astonished at the Constitu-
ions intimation that this affectionate re-
,ard for Theodore Roosevelt VIII be
transferred to Mr.. RoosevelCs successor.
One Of the strong reasons why the Re
publican leaders hope that the solid
outh may be broken next November is
he manifestly languid support which the
10 lJherE Democrats are giving the cause
f Mr.. Bryan. 1t is admitted by the Re
ublicans that in nearly all Of the South
m States the Democrats will vote the
cket, just as they have voted il in the
ast; but In Tennessee and in North Car
lima, where there is a working Repub-
can party, the belief is strong that the
strength may be sapped and
ecruits may be won to the cause of Taft
nd progressive Republicanism.
Wisdom in Wright Promotion.
Few people doubt that Mr. Taft had
lore than a word 20 say about the choice
the man who is his successor in
ne war Office. The appointment OF Luke
/. Wright has been commented upon by
ne Democrats as being a showing OF
lrewd politics. Mr.. Wright's appoint
lent unquestionably was good politics,
ut II was much more than good politics.
The Tennesseean's good work especially
the Philippines. has fitted him admir-
oly for some OF the war chiefs duties.
Continued on Page 3, Column 2.