The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-02-03
THE OLD LEADERSHIP.
Which tho South Once Followed TO Its
Great BENEFIT.


Great BENEFIT.
As the Southern States climbed
from the slime pit Of reconstruction
In most Of them the people naturally
and quietly fell in behind their old
leaders. They sent to congress to rep
resent them the best men they had.
The fact that most Of these men had
distinguished themselves In the serv-
Ice Of the Confederacy caused the fa-
miliar sneer that the Southern rep
rssentative consisted chiefly Of "Rebel
Brigadiers." Although almost always
In q minority and representing a Sec
tion then poor In material wealth and
most bitterly hated and misunder-
stood. these men commanded the re-
spect Of the entire country. They had
intellect. their characters were clean
and high. no suggestion Of suspicion
fell upon them. They bore them
selves with dignity and decorum and
careful regard for the decencies and
courtesiss Of life and won the aftec-
tion and confidence 81 their opposing
associates and the grudging but sim
cere admiration Of the Northern peo-
pie.
Twenty odd years ago from various
causes and because Of faults shared
equally by all classes. kind of wave
OF radicalism swept through the
South. Probably II originated In
Kansas and others Of then wild and
poor States Of the West. It develop
cd greerbackism and popularism and
q general spirit OF unrest with q de-
sire to dsspise all that had been VEN
Grated. to turn conditions topsy turvy.
to bs rid Of the old Leadership. So
one By one OF the old leaders disap-
psarsd. some Of them dying. In the
course OF nature. others dismissed or
rsjsctsd frsn the publie s6rvice.
A number Of new men went to con-
grsss from the South. especially, to
the senate. The change put into that
body men like IsfIries Davis. Of Ar
kansas. and Mr.. Tillman. Of South
Carolina. This last named State has
been peculiarly unfortunate and pre-
sents In ~ senatorial representation
contrast particularly violent. She
was represented by Wade Hampton
and ~. c. Butler. both Confederate
generals. both men who command at
tsntion and regard everywhere. Since
they were sent to the rear she has had
- senators BENJAMIN r. Tillman. As
bury c. Latimer. John l. Irby and her
junior senator now 10 q very respect
able citizen named Smith. whose lead
Ing tad 10 that growers Of cotton by
holdins'it long enough can force the
price Of It to ifteen cents pound.
So far ~ we can recall, Il was not
until these more recent days that any
senator from Southern State has
been an object Of ridiculs or suspicion
or has been held up before the coun-
try a. q kind Of Merry Andrew or
clown.
f. Now we think the Southern people
generally are becoming a little tired
Of their experiment. With some recent
examples before them. we believe
their disposition hereafter will be to
require q United States senator some-
thing more than the ability to be
noisy and to be able to put forth cum
ming to appeal to class prejudices and
denunciations Of an imaginary aris-
tocracy. II they can not find real and
conspicous talent and intellect COM
bined with proved character and dig
nifty they will select men who In the
conduct Of their own business have
demonstrated capacity. strength and
energy along with high standards of
conduct and ethics. We believe the
day of the demagogue. the blather-
skite and the noise maker Is nearly
over In the South and that presently
we will be back to our old orderly and
kindly way of doing things and our
old respect and eagerness for real
ability. force and exalted cleanliness
OF life and nobility of purpose
Richmond News-I ,eader
Life's a long trsgedy; this globe