The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1912-03-29
About National Politics.
From Bradford County Telegraph.

The editor OF this paper took lille
run up country last week. The trip in
cluded stop at the capital of the nation
Through the courtesy of Congressman
Dannitte Mays, who seemed TO know
everybody and TO be on cordial terms
with them, the editor met quite num-
Der of political "big guns" from various
sections of the country. OF course, ma
tional politics was the uppermoSt theme
at Washington as we'll as on the railway
trains, and we were greatly pleased, as
any Southerner must have been to find
that man of Southern parentage,
Southern birth and Southern residence
is being seriously considered by the
whole country in connection with the
presidency. The man who is being
thus considered is Honorable Oscar w.
Underwood of Alabama, the democratic
leader in the House of Representatives.
On all sides he is conceded to be OF
presidential size and his matchless party
leadership is the subject of the highest
praise. The encomiums that are heaped
upon him do not come from any particu
lar locality. His popularity seems TO be
country wide.
AS gathered by the writer from the
conversation of people from many parts
of the country the consensus of opinion
is that Taft is sure to be the republican
nominee and that Harmon will win the
democratic nomination at Baltimore.
But, say our friends of the North and
West, why do you people of the South
ern states not take up your man Under
wood and come to the convention with
delegates instructed for him? He might
win the nomination. II he does we will
vote for him. If he does not win there
are still some other prizes 10 be distrib-
uted. There is I h e yice-presidency
now, and another nomination to be
made four years hence. These are mat
tiers worth your consideration, and you
of the South should remember that if
you are ever TO comeback" in nation
al politics you must yourselves make the
start. You will never find better time
to make the start than you have right
now. Mr.. Underwood is a great man, a
great leader, and when you offer the
country such a man the country is going
TO begin to give heed TO your claims.
All this sounded good to the ears of a
Southerner, and especially TO one who
lives in neighboring state TO Mr.. I'm
derwood and greatly admires him. AS
a supporter of Governor Harmon ever
since the selection of presidential can
didate became theme of discussion il
was interesting to the writer to learn
that the idea of leaving the South free
TO bring one of her own sons into great
er prominence was not at all diSpleaSing
to the Ohio governor, and that he prob
ably would not press his candidacy in
this section of the country. In view of
this information, which apparently bore
the stamp of authenticity, it need not be
surprising to Governor Harmon's friends
in Florida if they do not find his name
on the ballots to be used at the coming
primary If matters take this turn then
it is entirely probable that the contest in
this state will come squarely between
Underwood, of Alabama, and Woodrow
Wilson, of New Jersey. There has
been very little sentiment for Champ
Clark in the state and he has no organi
cation whatever here. Underwood has
an active organization and so has Viii.
son. Under such circumstances Clark
is too good politician 10 allow his
name 10 be printed on the ballots for
our primary. 1t would mean a slaugh.
ter for him and he will, of course, not
take such long chances on iniuring his
candidacy in other parts of the country.
While his willingness TO withdraw
from Mr.. Underwood's neighboring
states rather enhances our admiration for
Governor Harmon and increases our
faith in his strength, we cannotunequivo-
cally endorse the plan as good politics"
for the reason that we believe the Ohio
man is the strongest candidate in Flori.
da today and that he would carry the
state by a handsome majority. 1t is
presumed, however, that he has been
fully apprised of his strength in Florida
and if he and his close advisers, with
all the facts before them, finally decide
upon the plan of leaving Mr.. Under.
wood free hand in Florida, this paper
will find it easy TO give its support TO the
Albanian, because he has all along
been our second choice. We believe
the Harmon men in the state pretty gen
orally feel kindly toward Mr.. Under. |
wood and that he will have their sup
port in preference 10 Wilson. This
should easily give the Albanian a ma.
iorito at the primary, for he already has
a large following in the state, and if in
addition TO the primary endorsement for |
Underwood, delegates are elected 10 the |
whose preference is for |
either Harmon or Underwood, Florida
will find il easy 10 get with the winner
at Baltimore, for one or the other OF
these men will be the nominee and in
all probability the one who is nominal
ed will be the next president of the
United States. The people of the North
md East are disguised with Roosevelt'S
after day political gymnastics and they
ire sore with Taft because of his tariff
-ecord. This makes ii reasonably sure
hat the democrats can win with a man
If the Harmon or Underwood stamp.
But we cannot win if we undertake. TO
cure the bite with the hair of the dog.
The states that have the electoral votes
hat the democratic party so much needs
o win the victory with would no more
70 for Wilson than they would go for
Roosevelt. Taft will be the republican
and that section of the country
would take him and his bad tariff record
n preference TO Wilson and his revolu.
ionary ideas.
Champ Clark is looked on with favor
n some sections, BUT II is quite general
y agreed that he would not prove
trong candidate and that he would be
yorsted in contest with Taft.