The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-08-13
BY THOMAS L. STOKES
United Press STAFF Correspondent
LCn,rrinht 1909 h. 1919 Mani

If the forthcoming presidential
election should produce a break
among southern States, away from
traditional Democratic moorings, a
possibility conceded by some polit-
ical observers, it would very likely
have a profound effect on future
American political history as con-
Germs the present two-party align
ment.
For this reason, as well as for
the immediate and vital effect Of
such a revolutionary development
in determining the next President
of the United States, political
philosophers and the man in the
street are joining in canvassing the
possibilities.
The solid South, so-called, has
been the Democratic stronghold
since the Civil War. No Demo-
cratic presidential nominee ever
worried about it. 1t was Gin the
bag" so to speak. He forgot it and
began his calculations of strength
from its borders north and west.
Claim 1t Remains Solid
The South has remained DEM
ocratic, though a section permeated
with conservatism and with a
political philosophy frequently diff
ferent from that of the candidates,
who have carried its standards. It's
strong allegiance through the years
would be a puzzle to the student of
political movements, except that the
reason has been obvious.
The South, with its overwhelm-
ingly large Negro population, has
chung to the Democratic party, be-
cause it is in the South a white
mans party.
Southern people gathered. almost
as unit, under its banners when
the Republican party, after the Civil
War, became the party Of the
Negroes it had freed. For several
years after the Civil War, the South
experienced a taste Of Negro
participation in its politics which it
did not like, and 1t has remained
Democratic since.
Southern political leaders find in
this historical background a basis
for their claims that the South will
remain faithful to the Democratic
party this year, despite vociferous,
if not a sizable, opposition to Gov
ernor Alfred E. Smith, the party's
presidential candidate.
First Time a battle-ground
Political parties, however, look to
the present. The Republicans this
year see a field in the South that
looks fertile.
They intend to cultivate it. For
the first time in their history, they
are planning a real campaign to
break into the solid South and cap
ture. if possible, some of those
States for Herbert Hoover, who has
admitted strength there.
Democrats, consequently, are Or
ganizing an active counter cam
paign. This campaign will be con-
Quoted through State and local
leaders, who know the situation, and
without any open direction from
party leaders in the East. The latter
have decided to keep hands off.
They will not open any southern
headquarters for this reason.
With the South a battle-ground for
the first time, what do Republicans
find there as encouragement?
They find first the most pro-
norlnced antagonism to a Demo-
cratic candidate which ever existed,
an antagonisn that is spotty, but
virulent and active in those spots.
This antagonisn is compounded Of
several elements.
Historical Background
There is the prohibition issue.
The South is dry politically, though
Government records show a disre-
gard of the law there as in other
places.
Last among the major issues is
that of religion. Several southern
leaders have said publicly recently
that this is the real issue, and that
the wet" and dry" issue is merely
a camouflage in many instances.
There is a historical background
here. Professionals of many denom-
nations settled along the Atlantic
seaboard in the early days of the
country's history, seeking refuge
from persecution in other lands.
Their descendants are widely scat
tered through the old south. They
were as Puritan as the Puritans of
New England, history shows. His
tory also teaches that such pre-
JUDGES are hard to remove, es-
pecially in rural sections where re-
hgiouS discussion occupies much
time and attention.