The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1914-01-09
WHAT THE PARTY NEEDS.

WHAT THE PARTY NEEDS.
Politicians and Office holders and
Office seekers who have gathered at
Nashville to discuss the moribund
condition OF the democratic party in
Tennessee and to, If possible, devise
ways and means Of its regeneration
and rehabilitation. had just as we'll
understand now as later that des-
perate diseases require heroic rem
edies and II they are unwilling to
make the reformation Of the party
thorough and complete they has as
we'll leave the task entirely alone.
No half way measures will do.
Furthermore the mere adoption of a
high sounding platform will not salts
fly the patriotic Independent demo-
Gratis Of the state, and without whom
the party cannot hope to achieve
success or attain responsibility.
Party platforms have been described
as resembling the platform Of rail-
way car, in that they are useful
principally to get in on. But this
will not prove the case with the
democrats of Tennessee this year un-
less the candidate is of such charact-
er and record as to be a guarantee
Of the sincerity Of the platform pro-
aouncements.
Press notices record the presence
In Nashville of number Of demo
Gratis who are more or less "promin-
emily mentioned" for gubernatorial
honors. Some of them are gentle
men Of eminent responsibility, but
that they would measure up to the
requirements Of the occasion we
hardly think anyone would seriously
contend. Several good judges have
also been mentioned" but they
have no state regulations among the
masses of the voters, and if they
: have during the campaigns of the
past four years, done any notable
service for the cause of prohibition
and law enforcement the fact has es-
capped public attention.
Candidates of this character will
not do. Men of mere passive atti-
tudes upon the temperance and law
enforcement issues, when the battle
was on, will not reunite and reform
and regenerate the democratic party
In Tennessee On the contrary the
party must have as it's standard
bearer one who stood for the things
for which the better element of the
party stood in the days. that tried
mems souls. The platform is min
or matter compared to the character
and qualifications of the candidate.
It is only by the nomination of
candidate Of the very highest char
acter, Of prominent qualifications,
Of sterling worth, of proven devotion
to the cause Of good government in
the campaigns of the past, and Of
marked ability as campaigner, that
the democratic party Of this state
can hope to attain success in the
contest OF this year. If the politi-
clans who are caucusing and confer
ring at Nashville do not understand
this fact now and act accordingly |
they had just as well go about their
several ways and prepare for a two
years extension of the present ad-
ministration in Tennessee.
Another thing that the political
surgeons Of the party should take to
their hearts and that is that the |
party organization must be reform :
ed. The Coxes and the Worleys and
the Stewards and the McFarlands
must be relegated to the rear. If
the democrats undertake to carry
this sort Of dead weight in the cam
paign now opening the end is not
difficult to foresee.
The democratic party can at least
be restored to the favor and GOOD
opinion of the people of Tennessee,
Il the disinterested advice Of The
Herald is accepted. But If the so.
called leaders of the regulars" fac.
ton persist in the course that they !
have pursued these six years, the re-
election of B. w. Hooper as COVER
nor is just about as certain as the
recurrence Of the biennial election
date.