The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-11-18
WILL THE SOUTH RISE TO THE
OCCASlOEt

The South, after moro than half
century Of patient waiting. has re-
gained its position IN the nation. Can
!, retain II? If so. its position OF
,-;macy can only be secured by the
service which its representatives rend-
er in national legislation. Southerners
in Congress have had to content them
selves decade after decade with suooro-
mate or unimportant committee assign
nen,s. the fortune Of the minority de-
MED them the opportunity for real
service to the republic. leadership
Was not for them: their ability and
their experience were discounted.
The long awaited hour has come
Opportunity thunders at the door OF
the South. Southern men. because o.
the return Of the Democratic party to
mower. are lifted to leadership in both
branches Of Congress. The government
is controlled by the majority. OF which
they are the dominant part. Most OF
the ehairmen OF the important COM
raittees come from the South To then
hands win Do committed the bulk OF
the task of framing and securing ma
,ional legislation. The responsibility
for constructive leadership rests upon
the South.
II these representatives are to DEM
onstrate anew that the section from
which they come is best fitted to pilot
the ship OF state across the tempestuous
seas that lie ahead. theirs must be a
national and not a sectional attitude.
Time was when the South was forced
IN self-protection to emphasize its Sec
,ionaI!srn. but the system defended has
gone There must be brought into play
that same creative energy that framed
and vitalized the Federal government
an energy that was expended for ma
rional and not sectional ends. The
South itself must be considered as
warp and woof OF the national life,
But wherein lies the danger Of not
taking the right course? In the pos
sibility that certain representatives OF
the South will fail to rise to the de-
uand OF the nation because Of their
provincial attitude. The tartff. for In
stance, must not be regarded as in any
sense q sectional or even local issue.
If the duty on Massachusetts, leather
must be reduced. North Carolina timber
must also suffer revision. The South
cannot lead the nation IL she is held
back by the Louisianians who demand
immunity for sugar. the South CAROLYN
ians and Georgians who would protect
cotton. the North Carolinians who
would exempt timber, the Virginians
and Tennesseans and Alabamians who
would hold out coal. iron and peanuts.
Tho people Of the Southern States
affected by tartn revision will need no
explanation from their representatives.;
they understand that the demand OF
the nation must be met If the South IS
10 retains fts psimacy- Democrats in
the HoSse- and Senate who are disposed
10 oppose tariff revision will be
brought 70 time by the sentiment Of
constituents who will not stand for
the Experimentation Of the Democra-
tic party. n there arises any question
Of patriotism against pocket book. the
people OF the South will stand where
they have always stood Their faith in
the wisdom Of the Democratic party
stills any fear as 20 permanent detr!-
meas TO their local interests
The South must rise to the occasion
Her leaders must repreeen, not only
what she has been. but what she ex-
poets TO be- Let them be animated
only b. the hishes. and noblest Ameri-
eanis.n il they would represent the true