The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-21
The South's Opportunity


 Those interested in the plans appreciate the opportunity that MT. Cnderwood' s recent successes present to the south and are preparing to meet that opportunity half way. B. H. Cooper, who talked yes terday of the plans in regard to MT. Un- derwood said: "The idea that time is not ripe for the nomination of a south erner for the presidency is absurd. The south furnished the presidents before the war and 1t is only a matter of time be- fore the south will resume it's industry of creating presidential timber The fact that Mr. Underwood has impressed the nation with his ability to accomplish things, with his conservatism as op- posed to the radicalism of other celebri- ties, and with his progressiveness, is very fortunate for the south. In case the opp portunity embodied in Mir Underwood is not grasped at the present time. there may not be another so fine in the next de- cade"
 John l.. Parker, another interested in presenting Mr. Underwood to the people of the country as the democratic stand ard bearer, said yesterday: '"The idea that the nomination of a southerner for the presidency will have a deleterious 
 absurd The time is come when business men have forgotten that a war between the states occurred. Business men of to- day will support the candidate who Is broad, conservative and progressive, 1t matters not from what section he halls. The democrats have tried the extreme west but MT. Bryan, though he succeed ed in arousing enthusiasm, was so sur charged with isms' of all varieties that l,,. F,at hoe a1s tried the so called conservative cast, but Mr. Parker lacked that fire which is necessary to kindle enthusiasm. and He were beaten before we had fired a gun. 1t is my opinion that the business inter- ests of the country will support that can ddate who Is the most trustworthy, it matters not if he comes from New Jer- sey, Ohio, Missouri Alabama"
 Many Uninstructed Delegates
 The activity Of Alabamians in the in terest of Mir Underwood, the natural outcome of which will be the instruction for him of the state national delegation, will result, according to the best politl- clans who have studied the subject. In practically all other southern delegations arriving on the scene of the convention either instructed for Underwood or unin- structed. The solid south, the backbone of national democracy, uninstructed, and ready, at the mOSI advantageous moment, in case such arrives, to strike for the cause of a southerner, will create a sen sation, it Is believed, when the conven- ton Is called to order. A deadlock might occur, it Is pointed out, as a result of which many things are possible. At any rate, the time will have arrived in which the machine, unable to boast of the fact that the solid south is in Its vest pocket will, instead of acting arbitrarily. sue for terms. This is the belief of students of national politics, and they hold, further that the democracy of the east in case it is claimed a southerner cannot be President, will be compelled to give the reason why, which up 10 this good day has never been given,
 MT. Underwood's Position
 a Mir. Underwood is not a candidate for the presidency. He says that he could not be even if he desired. He is in the hands of his friends, but. as he has said, no man could refuse nomination for the presidency were 1t rendered. He is pre- pairing to visit the counties of his district, and, as has been published. will leave about October 9 for Louisville. Chicago and St. Louis, where he Is on programmes to make addresses He will spend the greater part of November in Birmingham, and will leave about December for Washington where he will resume the business of making living cheaper for the ordinary man of America.