The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-09-02
NEWSPAPERS OPINIONS
TIME TO TAKE STOCK

mental affairs and decide what is to be us lu'ule
policy.
! Southern Democrats have, for more than haii
century, upheld the sacred tenetS OF the party
\ They have been the champions of the JeterSoh'a"
faith believing in the rights of the states TO sell
government and in the inherent right OF the ino.
vidual citizen to full liberty of action in the hand
ling of his private affairs.
Today, as a result of southern championing of
the cause of true democratic government various
leaders of the coalition of interests which now
passes under the name of Democrat in the ma
tional arena of politics, are attempting to "rcad
/ out of the party" the old line Democrats of the
south who. almost alone. have stood firm for the
government is built.
Senator Guffey, of Pennsylvania, in speech
Friday night, caustcally attacked the Democratic
senator's who opposed the administrations court
bill, and, practically in so many words, called for
their Reputation at the polls
Representative J. J. OConnell of Montana, in
another address the same night, branded as
tories and defenders of entrenched greed
those southerners who courageously defended their
section from discriminatory industrial regulations
by blocking the Black Connery wages and hours
bill. He boldly declares that at the next session
of congress the "band of 100 liberal patriots"
would enact every Observation-Disclosures meas
ure that was defeated at che session now closing
John L. Lewis, leader of the CLIO, that Commu-
nist-streaked organization of radical labor groups
threatens to ''bolt' from the Democratic party be-
cause of the refusal of congress to follow blndly
wherever the enthusiastically inspired program,
backed by Lewis and his followers may lead.
Southern Democrats find themselves in strange
company when they threatened with party ex-
communication by a senator from Pennsylvania
ancient state of Republicanism, by northern rad
ical and by ruthless dictator of irresponsible Ia
Dor groups.
The name Democrat for the present majority
party is in many respects misnomer. The votes
which swept President Roosevelt, in unprecedented
flood into his second term were the votes of
coalition of antagonistc groups. These groups in
cluded the Progressive Republican farmers of the
midwest. radical labor under the Lewis leadership
the Tammanies of the big cities, the idealistic lib
erals, the American negroes and the army of the
unemployed, as well as those rock-ribbed Demo-
Gratis who for decades have fought, year in and
year out for the fundamental principles upon
which the party is founded.
Southern Democrats, stunned by the sabotage
of practically every party ideal, realize anew, to-
day, the truth of the ancient adage that politics
makes strange bedfellows."
But now adding irony to betrayal, the brazen
attempt is made to read out of the party the
Democratic leaders of the southland this by men
who have real conception of what the party
stands for and who are incapable of understand
ing the sacred heritage of freedom for which De-
mocracy has stood firm through generations.
And, even while Gufey, of Pennsylvania, OCon-
nell, of Montana, Lewis, of the Go. are trading
against the stalwart believers in American liberty,
Postmaster General James A. Farley tells the con-
vention of Young Democrats of America that it is
not so important that the national budget be bal
anced, that, in effect, there is an inexhauStibe
supply of money in the pockets of the taxpayers.
This is strange doctrine to the Democrats of the
south, entertaining they do the deep-rooted con-
viction that government, to lesser degree than
business must have a balanced budget if it is to
be efficient and economical
The south must value the fulmnations of Cuff
fey and OConnel and John L. Lewis at their face
value.
If democracy and freedom to survive, the
name Democrat" must be rescued from its impos-
sibe connotations of today, and the real Demo-
cratic party be purged of such elements as the
red-tainted CLIO and the pale pastels of the paror
Socialist and theoretical government expermenter.
Throughout the history of the United States,
ship that has pioted, far the ship of state safe
ly along the course of constitutional democracy
From Virginia, Georgia the Carolnas, Tennes-
see, Kentucky, have sprung the patriots who have
stood at the helm through the stormiest periods of
the nations life
During the past session of congress the faith of
the fathers and the fundamentals of American lib
erty were upheld by such southerners Glass and
Byrd of Virginia; Smith, of South Carolina; Bank
head, of Alabama, and George, of Georgia. SEE.
1t is time for the democracy of the SOUTH today,
to decide again whom it will serve. Whether 1t
should follow after the false gods of bureaucratic
regimented Sociastic Fascisrn, as revealed in the
program of the radical groups in the administra-
ton, or whether it shall enlist under the banners
of true Democrats and continue the long struggle
to preserve the sanctity of the constitution and
the fundamental liberties of the people.
There has never been more opportune time for
the Democratic south to assert its rights and as
sumo the position to which it is entitled