The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1914-03-20
THE PRESIDENTS APPEAL.

President Wilson's appeal for re-
united democratic party in Tennessee
need cause little surprise. 1t is the
very natural attitude for the Presi-
dent Of the United States and the tit
ular head of the democratic party of
the nation to assume. 1t is apparent
that the president would rather lead
a party united, harmonious and tri-
nmphant in every state of the Union
than one torn and rent with inferno
cine strife. And those of us who
have in the past unreservedly COM
mended the President for his efforts
to reform and rehabilitate the demo-
cratic organizations of New York
state and city are in no position to
point a finger of scorn at him now
when he brings the matter of enter
ference" in state affairs nearer home.
But we do not hesitate to declare
that however effective the presidents
efforts in the same direction have
been in the empire state, they will
avail but little in Tennessee. While
we are in sympathy with the motives
which have prompted Wilson to take
the course that he has, candor COM
pels us to admit that little has been
or can be accomplished by his state
ment in Tennessee. The people are
in no humor to listen to the advice of
the president, much as many of them
admire him. A great many to whom
his statement was addressed have
their minds made up; they do not de-
sire reunited democracy in Tennes-
see under any circumstances. They
are going to vote for Hooper for a
third term and would be equally as
anxious to vote for him again, did
the constitution permit.
1t must be frankly confessed that
the regulars are themselves largely
responsible for this situation. They
have fiddled while Rome was burn
ing; they have slept while Hooper
was conducting a most effective fif-
teen months campaign for reelection
While Hooper, adroit, shrewd, ambi-
tious, was playing the finest game of
politics known to modern Tennes-
hn 1o,l Lon
to discredit his administration by in
dulging in the meanest, narrowest
and most contemplate Of tactics.
Their stop waters" were at the sur
face. They had achieved in the legis-
lature a little power, and instead of
using it for the upbuilding and re-
generation of the democratic party,
they were prostituting it for the bas-
est and meanest of ends.
And since the legislature adjourn
ed, while some improvement has been
noted, the regulars have shown them
selves utterly incompetent to deal
Will thO olIudtlou' lty nave per
mitted Parks Worley to remain on
the state ommittee and have encour-
aged his candidacy for the senate
again.
We are not yet ready to agree al
together with the President that the
tissues which have divided the
democratic party have been settled"
in this state, but we hope that he is
right. That is just what we have
been trying to do. If the regulars"
are really and sincerely in earnest
and desire that the presidents state
ment shall prove to be absolutely
correct they will, at the meeting of
the state committee on March 27,
bodily fire Parks Worley from the
committee; they will take steps to
get him out of the race for the SEN
ate and to remove Cox as legisla-
tive candidate. They will declare
in unmistakable terms for the reforms
that Chairman Morton several
months ago suggested to them.
Then, the regulars all over the
state, will take steps to secure the
nomination of some high class indie
pendent democrat for governor upon
platform that will be satisfactory to
every sane believer in good govern
ment. If all this is done we can
then give most hearty assent to the
Presidents statement that the is
sues which have divided the party
have been settled" They will give
force and effect and value to Wilson's
patriotic advice. But unless these
things are done, no one is going to
be changed by Wilson's appeal
much as he may admire the great
chief executive.
WRITE IT RIGHT.