The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-06-08
A SOLID SOUTH
A paper On the Subject by Mr.
John W. .om!inson
HITS TRE MARK

Should and Will the South Remain
Solid IS His Text--How Are We
70 Re Helped by Division?-What
Are tue Democratic Principles In
volved:
ain the current issue of the National
Monthly Mr.. John w. Tomlinson, OF
Alabama, discusses the Solid South
in the following article:
This question was agitated by the
Republicans during the recent Presl-
Dental campaign. They played it as
a long shot with the hope OF posi-
bly, winning one or TWO OF the South
ern States. Local conditions were
expected to help. Mr.. TAFT swung
through the South. a few over-ap-
prehensive Democrats urged the
Democratic National Committee TO
have Dir. Bryan do likewise. This
was deemed entirely unnecessary.
The. result showed the committee
was right. The South remained, ana
will continue, solid in its adherence
to Democracy.
And yet the echo OF this question
still sounds in some quarters in the
South. Newspapers discuss 1t as IN
teresting speculation for the enter
tainment of readers. A few take
the affirmative, possibly hoping to
curry favor with the powers that be.
Still few others conSclentlously
think that it would be for the South 5
best interest to be divided political
". All these represent a very small
minority. The Southerner is a DEM
ocrat only to maintain white super
macy. The negro question is no
longer a menace. 1t has been solved
by the South itself. Its solution has
demonstrated the necessity and val
ue Of that Democratic foundation
principle. local self-government, as
is being shown now in the Pacific
Slope States in the matter of the
Japanese and the schools.
Those who contend that the solid
South should be broken suggests that
such is the only method by which
the South can get into the game Of
Federal government. They seem to
think the country is hopelessly Re
publicaa and the only way out OF
the dilemma Is to join the Republi-
can party. We believe that Demo
cratic principles will ultimately tri-
umph In the nation; that the contest
ed States In the North and West are
Democratic; that influences are used,
however, in those States to thwart
the will Of the people; that the
enormous corruption funds that are
used in each presidential year do this
that in the South no amount Of mon
ey can buy an election; that the
South stands today as bulwark
against such methods; that the time
will come when such methods will
not be tolerated anywhere; that a
party that is against the publicity
of campaign committees will rot
be allowed to collect or use any more
money than is necessary for paying
the legitimate expenses OF the CAM
paign.
1t is Furthermore urged that on
account of its solidity for Demo
cracy the South is not given proper
recognition in the Democratic Ma
tional conventions or in Democratic
councils This is untrue. The South
is entitled to and does get proper
recognition. A Southerner was the
chairman of our last Democratic Ma
tional convention; an Alabamian was
chairman of a subcommittee of the
national committee having in charge
the work of organization during the
campaign; North Carolinian was
chairman of the press bureau of the
Democratic National Committee;
another Southerner was chairman of
one Of the most important commit
tees at our eastern headquarters; our
Southern Senator'S, Representatives
and prominent Democrats took d
most important part as speakers in
the contested States.
1t is urged that the Democrats of
the South show cowardice in adher
ing to their party. This is not ture.
II there IS any cowardice displayed,
it is on the part OF those who are
really at heart Republicans, but
have not the courage Of their con-
victions They should join and aifi-
late with the party in whose prin-
ciples they believe. They should not
remain IL the Democratic party,
seeking at all time and on all oc-
caSions 70 uleiermine and overthrow
that party. If two parties in the
South divided on matters OF. princi-
pie, all right. But to suggest the
splitting up Of the South in order
to get into the game, or for any
other matters OF eXpediency, is un-
worthy Of consideration.
How is the South to be helped
hy division? What Democratic prin-
ciple or policy is detrimental? We
are told We must progress, yet when
Democratic principles are applied to