New-York tribune., 1909-05-22
Mr.. TAFT AND THE SOUTH.

In his recent speeches in Virginia and North
Carolina President Taft laid natural emphasis
on the policy which he is carrying ont in deal
ing with the sectional issue and with Southern
political appointments That policy out
lined in his addresses last winter at Augusta,
Charleston and New Orleans and elabo
rated in his inaugural address on March 4. II
consists. briefly of a determination to let the
people of the Southern states see that the
national administration does not stand toward
them in attitude of aloOfness and antagO-
nism, but, on the contrary, wants them 10 CON
slider the federal government their government
and the federal officers their officers. To give
practical effect to his policy the President prom
ised to make no appointments TO federal office
in the South which would not be as acceptable
to local sentiment there as Northern appoint
ments made by Democratic administrations
have been 10 local sentiment in Republican
communities in the North. Since March Pres
ident Taft has made his words good with deeds
In his choice of Collector of the Port at
Charleson. a federal Civil Service commits
SOner. a judge for the Eastern District Of
North Carolina. postmaster in Richmond and
other federal officers he has shown that he aims
at appointing to office SOutherners- whether
Democrats or Republicans-WhO command the
entire respect Of their communities and who
possess the highest qualifications for the public
service. The extreme kindness with which the
President has been received this week in the
South proves that his policy has won public
approval and largely banshed old sectional and
partisan preiudices The South is almost a unit
in regarding the President as friend and
wel-wisher who wants to do what is Just and
fair more for lis own sake than for any ad-
vantage which may accrue to him politically
or TO the Republican party.
A policy Of justice and lherality will in the
long run benefit the leader and party practising
ii. President Taft is doubtless satisfied that in
giving due weight in appointments. 10 public
opinion in the South he is paving the way there
for greater tolerance in politics and the ere
alton everywhere of two political parties repre-
senting genuine divisions public questions.
Every state needs an opposition party strong
enough to restrain eXcesSes on the part of the
majority. and the Southern people are them
selves beginning 10 realize the Inconsistencies
and emharrassments of failing to vote their
own sentiments whenever political issue is
presented and voting instead a ticket no mat
ter what it represents. simply because it is
labelled Democratic. The South has too long
been willing TO accept any doctrine fosted into
n Democratic national platform subscribing
in turn and with equal unanimity to the con
servatism of Cleveland and the ropulfsm of
Bryan. It has indorsed by its vote the most
contrary theories in economics. In fact it has
particular consequence when weighed against
the claims of blind party regularity.
Now, however, the awakening is coming In
the debate over the House ard Senate tariff
bills Southern Congressman have shown a
startling tendency TO think for themselves and
a reckless desire 10 smash Democratic tradi-
tons and precedents. Senators Daniel of Vir-
ginia. and Simmons of North Carolina saw
that they want high duties on Southern prod
ucts. whether the purpose of such duties is 70
produce revenue or TO give protection Sen
ator Bailey declares that the Democratic tariff
leaders of the Cleveland Mills Wilson school
who exploited the free raw materials theory
were heretics, perverting the true Democratic
doctrine. and that he himself Is going back TO
the earlier and better teachings of Robert 7
Walker Some of the natural differences among
Southerners over the tariff question due To the
industrial development of the South. are now
nnding expression in national politics This.
Is notable sign of progress. No one can cen
sure the South for trying to defend its natural
interests Instead of blindly following dead
Democratic doctrine
Yet those who differ on economic issues ought