Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-05-31
A STAGGERING PRICE TO PAY

| ticularly odious insult to fling in the face of
Georgia Democracy he could not have hit upon
surer scheme than to make Thomas E. Watson
delegate to the partys national convention. 1t is
almost incredible that this humiliation should ac
tually have been heaped upon commonwealth by
men Of its own soil Yet, that is the fact The
state convention has met and acted Leaders Of the
dominant faction have cringed and kow-towed to
man whose record is series of venal treacheries
and whose name is a synonym for civic indecency.
Him, they have deliberately chosen a representa-
tive of Georgia in Democracys national council
We assume, in charity, that these gentlemen
found their performance exceedingly distastetu we
cannot believe that any rightminded Democrat no
matter what his affiliations may be- would trail the
party's standard so low save under dire compulsion
The truth is as everyone knows, these leaders were
shaeked to Watson by the of their prediction
trade with him. They had bought, and Watson had
sold. He demanded his pay for services duly rem
dered and they handed out the price, even though
it a states dishonor.
Let us get this fact clearly once and for all:
Watsons election as a delegate to Baltimore by the
convention which met Wednesday in Atlanta is the
direct and logical outcome of the Underwood victory
in Georgia It his particular work that won
the campaign. He played, usually, the only role
for which his heart and head are suited the role of
an INSCRIPTIONS slanderer He invented and scat
tered abroad the baseess libel that Woodrow Wilson
had sent an expression of sympathy to Booker
Washington during the negro educators trouble
with one Ulrich in New York. 1t was Watson, the
political muckman the political cutthroat, who
saved the day for the Underwood interests. And
when the job was done, he demanded the reward
he had been promised, he insisted upon the pound
of flesh.
How completely his demands were met, the con-
vention and its results abundanty testify He came
to the convention with all the buster and arrogance
of Tartar chief Not as a delegate or counselor,
but as the Great First Cause and the "One Far-Of
Divine Event of the whole affair, he strobe among
his creatures and delivered his commands.
What inspiring spectacle was this Thomas
E. Watson, who has bolted Democratic nominations
and will bolt them again whenever 1t serves his
interests to do so, who betrays every cause he
cannot tyrannize and ISLANDERS every leader he can
not boss, who hates everything pertaining to the
partys organization and who is forever breeding dis
cord for his vanity and gain-Thomas E. Wat
receiving the obesance of the heads of the now
dominant faction in Georgia Democracy--Thomas E.
Watson, Georgia delegate to a national Democratic
convention
1t is almost incredible, we repeat that such a
disgrace has befalen this state However irrevoca
bly, few leaders may have been bound to do Wat
sons will, in accordance with the terms of their
contract, it is to be deplored that some man, un-
fettered by that bargain did not stand forth to lead
the rank and file of the convention and utterly repu
diate Watsons domineering demands But the~deaI
iron-clad; it contaminated to the letter and
now it only remains for "the Mad Mullah of Nc
Dufe." as he has appropriately been called to COM
plete his program by unleashing his dscord and in,
decency in the national convention at Baltimore
When he has realized that browning ambition as
he promises to do, Georgas cup of humiliation will
have been filed and running over.
Has factionalism brought the state to this dis
grace? Then for the sake of Democracy and of our
own sefrespect let's abolish this sort Of factional-
ism
There divers questions on which the Demo
Gratis of Georgia may stand divided But there is one
issue on which every who loves decency and
honors the state must stand united and that is the
issue as to whether person of watsons stripe and
record shall be permitted to drag our politics into
the filth of his own INSCRIPTIONS ways.
Both factions have doubtless erred in giving an
opportunity to this man to force himself into the
councils of the party in which he does not belong
and which he openly despises
We had as well be frank. Both factions of
Georgia Democracy have lain down with the dog
and got up with fleas. Both have had the ex-
perience of falling into the hands of this political
pirate One of them praise be- is free from his
clutch; the other is still squirmng in his grasp. But
this entire situation irrespective OF clans is revolt
ing to a Georgian's sense of decency and civic
pride. The time has when honorable of
both factions should treat this the party
highwayman he really is.
Henceforth the alliance of Watson with any fac
ton should be considered as it truly must be,
badge of disgrace to the that has sought his
support
Certain it is that any which enlists his
venom and his Islander is unworthy the suffrage Of
Georgians
Let us make ourselves perfectly clear this
point We speak in thoroughly nonpartisan spirit.
We referring to any particular candidates
to any special campaigns. But regardless of all fac
tional lines that have been drawn in the past,
may be drawn in the future, appeal to every
good citizen of Georgia henceforth to treat Watson
ism insignia of corruption and ilrepute which
no deserving office-seeker will wear