The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1913-12-12
A FALSE ATTITUDE.

1he NASHVILLE Banner, the organ OF Iu
sion In Tennessee, to make it appear
that all of the advocates of good gov.
crnment, who have expressed the
hope and desire that the democratic
NArty would be reformed and regen
Grated, were willing to abandon the
cause for which they have heretofore
fought" BY inuendo, by indirection
and by insinuation the Banner would
east into outer darkness every sup.
porter Of good government in Ten
nesseae, who was not the subseryient
advocate of the fusion forces and who
refused to do homage to it's political
IDOL.
The Herald ia an independent pa
per. The Banner claims or did claim
% be an Independent journal. but 1t
b just as much the organ OF the fu-
sion party In Tennessee as the Chat
tAnooga Times 10 now the organ Of
the liquor faction. 1t has seemingly
abandoned that vantage ground that
- tguH Independent paper occupies
ut all times.
The Herald merely supports party
organizations, fusion candidates or
independents as Means to an end.
solely because of q conviction that
BY 80 doing 1t can promote the cause
Of good government 1t is not the
hide-bound partisan vi any candidate
or faction. It is no more welded to
fusion, although 1t has been a cansis-
&ant supporter OF the things for which
fusion has stood much longer than
the Banner, than It is to democratic
Or republican organization. Aside
from the fact that 1t would be in bet
ter company, The Herald would take
NO more pride in being the organ"
Of the fusion forces than 1t would In
being the organ of the regulars.
1t Is to be regretted that the Ban
ner he's become so enamored OF the
fusion party In Tennessee and so
welded to the political fortunes OF an
ambitious statesman that 1t has dan
seToasly near forfeited its once
proud place as an Independent jour
Nal. IL would make fusion para
mount In Tennessee. The Herald
would make the triumph Of principle
paramount to all other considera-
.tions. The Herald is first OF all
patriot. 1t does not care so much
what road 1t travels II 1t is the best
road to accomplish the principles for
which 1t contends. 1t is for the faith
..ivered into the saints and Ii to
keep the faith it had to become a re-
publican for the campaign it would
make the sacrifice. Party organiza-
lions, whether republican, democratic
or fusion, are merely a means to an
end with The Herald. It's natural In
elination is to the democratic party
and all things being equal 1t would be
glad tc give that party the prefer
once. But It would never abandon
principle nor stultify conviction in
order to support the democracy. 1t
was the first paper in the state to
bolt the regular organization in the
spring of 1910 and is proud of the
fact 1t was the pioneer In that
movement that soon assumed the
proportions OF a revolution.
The difference between the Banner
and The Herald is this: Both desire
the same thing: both would see the
triumph of good government, of tenn
perance and of law enforcement. The
Herald. however, Is not particular as
10 the road it travels to attain this
end or the effect of victory upon the
fortunes of ambitious individuals,
On the other hand the Banner. while
committed to the cause, would ae-
tually breathe sigh Of regret at the
triumph OF the cause II victory prov
e6 the end OF the fusion party and
blocked the ambition of It's political
idol.
Now we will be fair with the Ban
Her 1t will deny this charge and
win doubtless be perfectly sincere in
Its denial, but nevertheless our
statement IL correct; that paper is
70 obcessed with the virtues OF fu-
sion per Sc that it cannot see any
other road. This We sincerely re-
greet for we have the highest regard
for the Banner. Since 1t became the
advocate OF good government and
championed the cause of law enforce
ment nearly four years ago, it has
been valiant and a valuable SOL
der. And II 10 with the deepest
regret that we note its growing
hide bound" partisanship for poll
tical organization.
So far as The Herald ia concerned