The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-18
CHALLENGE TO sourH,s MANHOOD

IO SOtAfh . Fth1h4f From the Atlanta Constitution. The New York Herald, in recent edi- tcrial, reproduced elsewhere in full, de- clares that the chief development in the democratic situation is the sudden growth of the Underwood boom," and proceeds to this ringing challenge of the south's mannood:
 The Underwood situation is a peculiar one Tho entire south wants him, but will rot back him as whole for the reason that, in their estimation, a candidate of the south-a candidate groomed and pre- sented by the south-would stand no chance of being nominated. but would arouse the solid opposition of the north and east"
 Peculiar" is a tame term for sectional qualification. That is the offense with which a whole people stand indicted be- cause of the timidity of a few leaders. Oscar Underwood is, inexorably. the log ical standard bearer of the democratic party If he lived north of Masen and Dixons line, not whisper would be raised against his candidacy. His achieve ment as general of the democratic ma Jority is acclaimed, nationally, as the most signal feat of leadership since the Civil war The unbiased Herald virtually comedies that he can carry New York.
 In the fact of such sought and unpur- chasable testimonials, a few southerners. driven by subservient fear of the dead srecter of seetionalism, raise bars against the availability of oscar Underwood. the biggest southern statesman in half a century and one of the biggest Ameri- cans produced by that periodl This paradox is amazing No wonder the Her aid questions if it can be true" that the south will not back Underwood be- cause it is afraid" As if refusing, ill respect for our people, to accept evider ce of such timidity, it puts this leading question:
 Rather should not the south fear the radicalism which others represent that are claiming the vote of this sectional section that has been blacklisted for more than half a century?'
 Hammering in the Herald's challenge and confirming the disappearance of civil war prejudice is strong editorial repro duced elsewhere on this page from liar per's Weekly. ss,asaaslta 81 Ard still there are some southerrers who hug their political shackles. By in- ference. they proclaim the humiliating doctrine that the south, it's children and it's chidrens children, shall remain as political hewers of wood and drawers of N ater, in political serfdom for an indef- mite season.
 For if 50 years has not instilled into us manhood enough to grasp the out stretched hand of the north and the east, 600 years will find us still as craven still as seif-effacing Speaking for itself, the Constitution will not be accessory to a superstition that places the south in so shameful an attitude. Before the war, the south gave the nation it's guiding statesmen Fifty years after the war. its animoslties obliterated, the nation extends the invitation to resume that role, with out prejudice Whether Underwood wins or loses at Baltimore, wins or loses be- fore the country we shall maintain to the last the one position compatible with sectional self-respect-
 That the day is past for the south to avert it's head when it's statesmen aspire to the presidency-and that Oscar tfnder- wood is the candidate with which the south can make it's position most unmis- takably manifest to the nation.