Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-10-11
NEW YORK DEMOCRACY
ASSERTS ITS FREEDOM.

The nomination Of Congressman William SuiEer
As Democracys candidate for the gOvernOrship OF
New York is happy omen both for the party ana
for the cause OF free government Mr.. Suffers
ability is known the nation and his record is
one Of answering fealty to progressive principles
Most important Of all perhaps at the present time is
the fact that he has proved himself singuary inde-
pendent Of Tammany; in several instances indeed
he has been nominated to Congress over the stubborn
Drotest Of Charles f. Murphy and at the Syracuse
convention he probably the last man whom Mur-
phy himself would have named.
The one Out.iutting moral of this convention is
itz freedom from boss control 1t carried stride
further the good work that was begun at Baltimore
and that was continued in New Jersey when James
smith Jr was defeated for the senatorial nominal
ton. The retreat Of Murphy in New York was the
direct consequence of that awakened public thought
which has found expression and leadership In Wood
row wilson.
when it was suggested a week or two ago that
the delegates to the Syracuse convention would resist
Tammany's dictation, the Old Guard of politicians
chuckled cynicaIly and said it would be useless.
Ever after Governor Wilson issued his stimulating
appeal for freeminded conversation there were many
stifed filters Was not Murphy boss and had he not
decided that Governor Dix. his plant man, should
be renominated? But there were more things in
heaven and earth than dreamed Of in that easy
going philosophy. The progressive power that
had overswept the boss at Baltimore came thunder
ing again about his head. He saw the inevitable
and he surrendered as bosses always do when true
leaders backed by the partys rank and file, appear.
Had he chosen to fight the result would have been
the same but not more significant.
the spirit and the achievement of this convention
VII advance the partys interests throughout the
country 1t confirms as perhaps other one Incl
dent could the purpose and the power Of the Demo
cratic party to restore government to truly popular
basis It shows how effective the principles on
which woodrow Wilson has taken his stand and
how thoroughly earnest he and the organization
he heads
New York is the most populous and the most in
nuential state in the Union its electoral is the
largest; its political developments are of extraor-
binary Importance. It's Democracy has been. en-
Oarrassed and oppressed by boss rule Of partic-
uIarly rigid grip When therefore, its State Demo
cratic convention. ieeding the peoples call, squarely
repudiafes the old tyrannous regime and puts for
ward = candidate who represents the highest ele-
ments Of the national party and who is progressive
in the truest sense OF the term, Ihe entire nation
has cause to rejoice.
Mr. sulzer viii not only enlist the support of a
united party and Of thousands Of ndependentminded
citizens in his own State but he viii also win votes
for the national ticket His nomination was wise
because 1t is free and right and because it meets the
demands of an enlightened public. 1t is significant
because It marks another emphatic assertion of
Democratic independence from entangiing and cor
ruptng alliances This is the of party Of which
the national government is in need, a party that
and viii serve the peoples interests.