The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-09-15
ONE HOPE IN TENNESSEE.

- 1t was TO have been expected tnat the lhsHrSeut
elements in the Democratic party in Tennessee
we're not to be turned from settled purpose by
he eleventh hour move of Patterson III with
drawing from the race for the Governorshlp
The action of the independent convention IN
holding to its determination TO give Its endorse
1nent to the Republican nominee for Governor
had been we'll discounted. 1t was composed
largely of men of lifelong allegiance to the
Democratic party, who had made what was TO
hem the hard choice of extreme measures in
opposition TO Patterson and the Patterson ma
thine. These men of character believe that the
conditions put upon the State by the dominant
action in the party are ntolerable. In their
opposition TO the continuation of such conditions
they are inexorible. In the crisis they did not
Hesitate to go TO the length of deserving party
hat in their view had already been destroyed in
ID except name. Patterson and his methods had
thought the State and the party into nationwide
ontempt. The time was one calling for any
measure, however naturally repugnant, which
would do away with that reproach
Concede these facts to be such as reasonably
u Justify the action of reasonable and patriotic
ZEN Coneede that Pattersonsm is even worse
Ian Republicanism. Concede that under the
circumstances the Independent convention was
justified in regarding the retirement of Patter
W N as merely another arrow shot from a culver
st political subterfuges. Concede all these
things, and there yet remains hope of far bet
TT and far less dangerous solution of per-
picking situation than the turning over of the
state TO Republican administration.
That solution is purging of the Democratic
nlrty by the party. 1t is possible. notwithstand
ing the rreconcilable differences disclosed by the
negotiation to date. It is possible from the
people themselves, acting In sense independ-
gsatly OF the Patterson convention and of the
Independent convention. 1t is a solution lying
1 IA the power of the great rank and file of the
psrv itself.
he tight In tennessee was aimed in the frs
instance at Patterson. Ostensibly. Patterson
It's retired under fire. But the fight has gone
u yond Patterson the man. 1t has included
attersonism, the Patterson inhence, the Patter
spn method So long as there remains vestig,
Saf the Patterson machine, there is no hope of
4 Democratic victory in Tennessee. 1t remains
therefore for the Patterson organization to repen
B IN deeds as well as in terms. 1t remains for i
e show that it accepts its rebuke in reality, al
W.ll as in name. It remains for it to do the
oise patriotic thing left for it to do after its
record of folly and corruption. That one thin,
II Il the placing at the head of the Democratic
ticket of man without suggestion of faint o.
the machine 1t is the nomination of men Oh
standing, and honor, unsupported of guile I
4 to put forward ticket which shall be entirel,
Il yond reproach. This is no time for even thu
rsg OF pride among the erring followers of Pat
4 frfson. They must show the sincerity of thei
repentance by their works
With such action, we believe that, even at th
l Late day, it will be possible to save Tennessee
fnn the danger of Republican administration
Whatever the standing of Hooper az a man, h.
is inevitably allied with the element so famila
ID Republican organizations in the South H,
u the figurehead of political alignment thai
has no soul beyond Office and the control OF
election machinery. He stands for the long
delayed Republican hope of break in the solo
Seuth. Experience and history show that, NJ
Mstter upon what primal motive it may be given
1asaional support of the Republican party ii
Tho South means the giving over of Southern
States to every possible evil of government. Il
means the elevation of base men. 1t means the
lowering of public standards 1t means a checl
( ana generalization to every moral growth an1
1mpulse. Hooper, as any other man, would b.
Il poEerless to avert this result in Tennessee The
Independents, pure as their motives might be
y would be powerless 10 avert it. Pattersonislr
would indeed be destroyed, but at a fearful price
Pattersonism will be destroyed That muel
\ III written in the stars. viii Pattersonism tot
terlng on the brink find in its soul the courage
4 e DO the one good thing yet possible for it to
do--to destroy ITSELF
bet the Tennessee Democracy, therefore, nom
sS1issts for Governor a man of the highest char
I arter, OF impeccable personal purity, of unas
ssSailable motive With such nomination there
4 xl remain to no good Democrat further reason
fnr wavering allegiance TO the old cause So
ad 20 only, is the situation even yet susceptible
IA salvation
FIGHT AGAINST CONSUMPTION.
& The plans Of the State Anti tuberculosis As
IL.