The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-11-06
BY gibson GARDNER.

general sentiment favoring Woodrow
Wilson's nomination. SO general and
so strong indeed. is this sentiment,
and so ready is il to crystalize into
action, that | should not be surprised
if most of the southern states were
represented in the next national con-
ventIon by instructed Wilson dele
gates.
The south is drawn to Wilson by
| two of the strongest motives felt in
politics-sentiment and self.interest.
Wilson s a southern man and VIII
son Offers them a chance to win
! I'VE folks down here are mighty
anxious for another chance at the
presidential Office" said the Hon. Jo-
serhHs Daniels, editor of the Raleigh
IN. c. News and Observer. I'VE feel
shat we're right close on it. and We
are trying hard not to make any mis-
takes Every body seems to think that
with Wilson as our candidate we
could win: and | expect they are
fright"
The sentimental argument touches
several states. Wilson was born in
Virginia the mother Of presidents
lie lived and practiced law in Atlanta,
Georgia; and he took as his wife an
| Alabama girl. Moreover the doctor
| is q southerner I'm appearance, man
lner. and almost in speech. The south
feels that he does credit to its tradi-
tions of what southern gentleman
4 should be.
Finally. and perhaps more import
tant than all the rest--for without 1t
&, the rest would not get him anywhere
Woodrow Wilson is looked gPeF- by
! the people as progressive, and the
people OF the south are no different
from the people Of the north in their
desIre to be represented by man
who represents this new school OF
politics.
The professional politicians and the
| big business interests which own the
professional politicians, are against
! Wilson. II is the same in the south
IS in the north; likewise the same In
the Democratic as in the Republican
| marty. Wilson Is the La Toilette OF
| the democracy. just as Harmon is the
! Democratic Taft There is the same
| fght in the Democratic party In the
south that wages in the Republican
party in the north-public sentiment
versus the political machine; the pro-
sressive candidate against the stand
rat candidate; public welfare against
specil privilege.
In this fight public sentimen. al
ways wins IL il is strong enough.
The Professional politician cannot
long defy vigorous and widespread
public sentiment.
Thus il happens .ha; virginia. for
example, is alfel ldy iii line for Wood
row w lson, The men who control
tEe Virginia machine--Martin anl
| Swanson-;re agains, Wilson: that
| il. they would be IL they dared But
publi4 opinion In Virginia has shown
liself too strong, aud Martin and
Swanson have bowed tn X; They
In - decl1 ed themselves favorable
t. Wilson's candidacy.
| ia. TX ;he Virginia happcnirg Y
| viii be seen .pcatcd In most of\tne
southern states. In pruress of com
ing through" a. tho present time.
after The, manner of Virginia, are
North and South Carolina, Georgia,
Mississippi Louisiana and Tennes-
see Senators Williams and Varda-
man have spoken for Mississippi. Gull
berson has indicated his Willingness
to help in Texas; Gore. and Owen
have promised Oklahoma which
leaves only Kentucky, Arkansas and
Florida to be heard from. Alabama
| is favorable TO Wilson but will send
/ q favorite son delegation TO vote i'm
! first call for Oscar Underwood Mis-.
souri, is for Folk and CLARK and some
of the Kentucky delegates have been
promised to Champ Clark
was surprised to find 50 little
/ sentiment for Clark I'm the south.
Everybody said the same thing, that
! Clark had made little impression on
! the south-that he does not appea
at all TO the progressive element aud
that the fight will be between Har-
mon. as representative OF the cor
servatives and political regularity
on the one side. and Wilson on the
other
Neither the wilson nor the Ha.-
mon people have done any systematic
organizing in the south When 1
was i'm the northwest | found that
Harmon's managers has visited North
| Dakota. Nebraska and Minnesota
holding quiet conferences with ma
chine Democrats and suggesting plans
for the campaign. These efforts do
not appear to have been organization
of Wilsou-clubs. Perhaps this dis
Couraged them.
The south is building confidently
OH Taft's defeat. II is assumed that
Taft will be rcnomindted aud will
prove an easy victim TO any candidate
Ffbp npunnqratg may name
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