Evening star., 1954-11-25
The Political Mill
6. O. P. Sees Real Hope
For New Coins in South
But Democrats Are Aware
Of Dangers in Recent Bolts
The Political Mill
By Gould Lincoln

By Gould Lincoln
The Republican Party is going South.
So is the Democratic Party-with diff
ferent ideas. According to some Of the
G. o. P. leaders, Houston, Tex, viii be
the scene of meeting Of the Re-
publican National Committee In Janu-
ary or February. 1855. The Democratic
National Committee is to meet In New
Orleans, La, December 4-when it will
elect new chairman and hold 'vic-
tory Dinner"-$100 a plate-addressed
by Adlai Stevenson.
When President Eisenhower actually
carried four States Of the solid
South" two years ago, and came near
carrying some Of the others, Democrats
said this was a mere flash in the pan;
that the South would be found voting
Democratic In 1854 and 1856 In the
same old way. But what happened? The
Republicans elected Congressman In
the 5th Texas district-Da1las; they
elected Congressman, too, in the 1st
Florida district. There was no fiuke
about these elections. The districts went
Republican. Also, the Republicans re-
tanned their hold on North Carolina's
10th district, re-electing Representative
Charles P. Jonas.
They consolidated their gains In Vir.
ginia, too, re-electing two of the three
Republican congressman they elected In
the Eisenhower sweep. The net result is
the Republicans have five Southern
members in House seats usually Demo-
cratic-something that has not hap
pened for years.
1948 Detection Cited.
In addition, four States of the South
failed to vote for the regular Demo-
cratic nominee for President in 1913,
when former President Harry Truman
was the party's nominee. They did not
vote Republican; they voted for the
Dixiecrat nominee, Senator-elect Strom
Thurmond, who was then Governor Of
South Carolina. The effect in 1948 was
to weaken the national Democratic
ticket. and it might have been an ef-
fective move had the Republicans
worked q bit harder in q number Of
Northern and Western States. Now the
South Carolina Democrats have re-
Gently elected Mr.. Thurmond Senator
over a Democratic leader, Brown, who
worked hard to hold South Carolina
for Stevenson in 1852.
Something is going on politically in
the South. Democratic National Chair
man Steven A. Mitchell and Republic
can National Chairman Leonard w.
Hall both sense it-and both are anx.
ious to do something about it. Mr..
Mitchell is taking his Democratic COM
mittee, therefore. to Louisiana for their
victory celebration. Mr.. Mitchell freely
admits that there has been q wide
cleavage between the conservative
Southern Democrats and the New
Dealers and Fair Dealers of the North
and West. He has done all he could
to heal the wounds. .
Indeed, a special committee is now
working on proposed rules for the COM
mittee and for the Democratic National
Conventions of the future One reason
is to prevent. if possible, any such
bitter sectional row as occurred In the
1852 Democratic National Convention
over the so-called loyalty pledge" reso.
luton. At that time hotheads from
the North, were willing to say to the
Southern Democrats on out of the
convention If you wish. We don't need
you." Speaker Sam Rayburn of Texas,
however, prevented this political sui
eide.
Value Recognized.
Chairman Mitchell recognizes fully
the value Of having the support Of
Democratic voters In II States Of the
"solid South" It is an ace-in-the-hole
for the Democratic Party In any ma
tional or congressional election; an
ace which has spelled victory on nu-
merous occasions, and an ace which
has helped to hold the Democratic
lessly and helplessly on the rocks. He
doesn't want the Republicans to nibble
into the vitals of the Democratic Party
AS it seems on the way to do.
Mr.. Mitchell is taking his Northern
Democrats South so they may become
better acquainted with their brethren
Of the South and more sympathetic to
their wishes. Mr.. Hall, on the other
hand, is anxious to have the South
erners see more Of the Republican,
indeed, to learn they are not just dam
yankees" II present plans work out,
yhe will have the national committee
meet in Houston, which helped Gen.
Eisenhower carry Texas two years ago.
The logical thing would be, of course,
to have President Eisenhower revisit
Texas at the same time, and probably
deliver an address in Houston. The
President is no stranger to Texas or
to Houston. In his campaign for elec-
ton, Gen. Eisenhower delivered a major
address to some 10000 or 10000 people
in Houston. an amazing gathering for
Republican presidential candidate In
that city Remembering the Eisenhower
victory two years ago, 1t Is probable
MIR. Hall has an eye on possible repeat
victory for the President in Texas
and other Southern States in 1855.
Anyway you look at it. the present
moves by Messrs. Mitchell and Hall are
ghreWd