Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-01-19


the habit Of making political speeches
that when was invited TO address the
Society OF North Carolina In New York.
ventured TO make some remarks on
the advantages that might arise from a
change in the political complexion OF some
of the souChrn states. ] pointed out the
common ground upon which. in view of
the causes which had led to the political
solidarity of the southern states. might
now justify many southeners 70 change
their political associations and vote with
the Republican party.
40 not intend tonigh TO go into this
subject I'm a partisan way. In the pres
ence OF Democrats and Republicans here
az nou-partisan tbanquet expressing
the welcome of the whole community. II
would neither be courteous nor apprOpri-
ate for me to do So
I can only refer TO the fact with
qualification and congratulation that
today the expression or any political
view I'm the south is possible without
involving social ostracism or any OF
the penalties with which II night have
been visited In earlier times. Ten
years have made a great difference In
the attitude which the controlling peo-
pie Of the south occupy toward the
nOrLl anu the government h0So
Of our common country at the time OF
the wars with Spain and the call for
troops aroused the martial, patriotic
spirit IN the south even more than IN
the north, and selling that moment
with his unerring judgment of men
and times. William Mckinley made
manifest TO the people OF the south
his earnest desire to bring them closer
into the union and to make them more
completely a part OF the country. With
the tact and the real sweetness and
lovabIeness Of his character, he was
able TO instill in the southern people
conviction OF his desire TO win them
and their confidence and TO Danish from
their minds that hostile and suspicious
attitude which previous events had
seemed TO make permanent In the
southern states. --"'-
Circumstances Aided Change
There were three circumstances that
contributed to this result. The first
one was that in the presidential cleo
tion he stood for monetary policy that
commended itself TO the business men
OF the south, while his opponent advo-
Gated q change which those same bus
mess men regarded as disastrous, un-
sound and nationally dishonest. The
second circumstance was that which 1
have mentioned-the rousing Of the
patriotism Of the south in. the support
OF the flag OF the county in war for
the freedom of Cuba and the suppress
sion of the International scandal iu-
volved in her previous government. And
the third was the personal character
istics Of Mckinley, his naturally CON
ciliatory disposition and his marvel
Gus power of winning confidence.
His second campaign, Involving as 1t
did the question OF expansion, a policy
which naturally awakened the sympa-
thy OF all the south with its Anglo
Saxon descent, added further to the
success OF his efforts to mitigate the
traditional feeling of the south that
the central government under Repubil-
can auspices was an alien government.
The succession OF Mr.. Roosevelt.
whose mother was born in Georgia aud
who takes many OF mis- characteristics
from that strain, did not diminish but
only Increased the force Of the move
ment toward a spirit OF friendliness
between the north and the south
Then came, between the Spanish war
and the present time, sSch a material
development IN the states OF the south
as never before had been equaled in
any part Of the country. Wealth accu-
INFLATED, farming become most profit
creased by leaps and bounds, and the
conditions were brought about which
served to render the southern people
forgetful Of the poverty and straitened
circumstances which thoy had to en-
dure for a long time after the war.
The one who is prosperous and sue
cessful loves law and order. and peace.
forgets his traditional enmities and
causes OF bitterness. and yields easily
10 the conciliatory advances OF his
neighbors.
Course of Roosevelt Important
Then too, the course, OF Theodore
Roosevelt in becoming the exponent Of
the moral awakening among the peo-
pie and In formulating their demand
that the abuses which had crept in
with our enormous material develop
ment should be stamped out and the
business of corporations, railway and
Industrial should be carried son within
the law aad on a higher moral plane,
found as learty support in the south
as II di-. in the north. The truth is
that the south today contains more of
the Puritan religious feeling than any
other part Of the country, and IL re-
sponded to the Roosevelt policies with
as much emphasis and fervor as there
was anywhere in the union.
The result Of all this is apt to promote
independence of thought and independ-
ence OF political action and tolerance of
both In the south, and no matter what
ones political proclivities are, this re-
suit he must accept, II a reasonable man,
as one devoutly TO be wished.
I am a Republican. but. concede fully
the great advantage TO the country in
having Democratic party sufficiently
powerful sometimes to win the presiden-
tial elections and always TO put the Re-
publican party when in control in fear OF
a possible or probable defeat. And so in
the south no one can deny the advantage
that will arise In local and state govern
ments when there is a substantial and in
telligent minority which may become a
successful majority in punishment OF the
abuses that are likely to grow out Of the
long continued and undispusted control
Of one party ~. rf
Added TO that, the uncertainty which
may attend the result OF national cleo
tons in state Il certain to give 1t ad-
ditional Importance In the councils OF
the nation
Expect Political Revolution
I have not come down here for political
purposes. and am not here TO preach a
political propa ganda, nor II 1 were would
expect a political revolution in any OF
the states of the south. A political