The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-29

From the New York Times.
 IN this mornings magazine section of the Times our readers will find the
 very interesting report of an inquiry by a staff correspondent into the record and repute, in his own home, of the Hon. Oscar w. Underwood of Alabama, who has recently been discussed as a possible democratic candidate for the presidency. It is needless to say that the Times is l not concerned to advance the interests of any gentleman In this direction in prefer ence to any other. It is concerned only in laying before it's readers such informa- ton, carefully gathered and impartally presented, as will aid in the formation of sound public opinion and a choice that will be to the greatest advantage of the na- tion.
 We think our readers will agree that any party may be congratulated among whose prominent men, to whom the eyes of the party are directed on the eve of a presidential campaign, there is one with such standing among those who know him best as MT. Underwood has. Plainly
 he is man to be trusted, because he is trusted, for his integrity, purity, civic courage, and ability, by his own people. | Whether, when the time comes for a choice, he will be considered the best man is a question which it is now too early to decide. But there is one element that will enter into the problem which may well receive attention even thus early. It is the fact that MT. Underwood is a man of southern birth, a representative from a southern state. There is feeling, rather than a definite opinion. which finds ex- pression more often in his own section than in the north, and perhaps more often | in his own party than in the opposite party, that this fact would be a source of weakness if MT. Underwood were
 named by the democracy.
 Of course, this Is a matter not easily
 to be decided with confidence in advance. | There has been no occasion for 8 distinct
 expression of public sentiment regarding
 1t. It is half century since southern
 candidate for the presidency came before
 the nation, and good deal longer than | that since one was elected. Great events
 have intervened and left their impress l on the minds and hearts of men, the depth
 and direction of which no one can surely | estimate. Our own judgment is that a candidate from the south-other things
 being equal-would not be weaker and might even be the stronger for that fact.
 In a broad way, it may safely be said
 that there is in our people now a sense
 of tried and proved and established na-
 tionality which might, and probably
 would, welcome an opportunity for man. ifesting itself This sense of nationality has grown progressively ever since the close of the war for the Union. It has
 been steadily strengthened by the condi-
 lions of our national life and especially
 by the intimate, extensive and increasing
 intercommuncation within our borders. Our people have for 40 years literally lived together, and always more and more
 closely. They have gradually ceased to
 think in terms of sections, Shd the south
 is today no more distinct and apart than the east or the middle west or the west
 in the minds of those who dwell else
 where.
 In the next place, no one under GO has
 any personal experience of the civil con- hict and that means not merely that the majority but that the great body of voters
 are without this experience. It is more
 than a quarter of century since the
 .southern question: entered even nom-
 nallv into national contest. If it were
 raised now by any party. and those who
 would be influenced by 1t had to stand
 up and be counted. we believe they could he ludicrcusly few. On the other hand.
 we are confident that, were the issue made. a great many voters-chiefy among those who were most earnest in their loy- atty in the civil war-would by common impulse of generosity and of self respect