GOING HOME FOR THE SAKE OF REGULARITY.

Four years ago the brains of the Democratic party were blown out by a prearranged whirlwind of Populistic frenzy at Chicago. The party was assassinated in the hall of its own convention. The best blood of the Democratic party, the only men who have had the ability to place the party in power for forty years, the men who are Democrats by force of reason, not by force of tradition, refused to be disloyal to their principles, to identify themselves with the mongrel crowd who had captured the party name and standard and gained control of the party machinery. Clothed with principles which they believed, respecting themselves and commanding the respect of all honest, intelligent men, in the name of a Democracy they had honored and still seek to honor, they did what they could to defeat. the unscrupulous tricksters who had grasped the power of the party in an effort to grasp the power of the government. Their attempt succeeded, and now, with the recurrence of another presidential election, they find themselves shut out from their party by usurpers, on the plea of regularity.

There are those who will serve a party for wnat the party can do for them. To such regularity is necessary to life. Among those who stood aloof in 1896 there are some who believe the managers of the party cannot survive another defeat, and they be

lieve a second defeat is certain. Believing this they have made rags of the principles with which they clothed themselves in 1896 and are going home, "all tattered and torn," to secure the

advantage of being regular, in order to be in line for promotion when a reorganization forced by defeat occurs. No better evidence has been given of the approaching collapse of Bryanism than is afforded by the return of these wanderers to the party affiliations that can stamp them "regular" for future use. The aspect they present on their lonely march would be ludicrous if it were not so serious. Their going is not prompted by faith in a victory for those now managing the party, but by faith in their defeat. When the disaster comes these men hope to grasp power and effect a reorganization by which they can gain prestige and win distinction. Do they read the signs of the times aright? We think not.

GOING HOME.

The defeat of the men who have debauched the Democratic party will be so overwhelming they will have no power to dictate the policy of the party in the future. The solid South will realize that their

only hope of ever again becoming a controlling factor in national politics lies in affiliation with the brains of the party in the North and West, with which they parted company under the lash of regularity and the blind following of traditions. When the day for reorganization comes they will welcome all who are willing to come to their rescue and will prize as worthy of highest honors those who have dared to be right at the expense of being regular. They will know that such men are the only ones capable of giving to the reorganized party that quality of stanch stability it must have if it is ever again to be led to victory. By the aid of such men, on the grave of its dead self, the party will rise again. But this cannot be until Mr. Bryan is thoroughly defeated and the political heresies for which he stands swept out of existence. Room will thus be made for the reestablishment of the principles which made the Democratic party for so long a time respectable and powerful. All true Democrats know Bryanism has caused the death of their party. They know the cause of death cannot become the cause of a return of life. Only when Bryanism is dead beyond power of resurrection can all Democrats unite to restore the old party to life, honor and usefulness.

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SOUTHERN PATRIOTISM.

SOUTHERN PATRIOTISM, TRADITIONS AND DUTY.

When the call to arms was given for a war with Spain the southern states proved their patriotism and won the applause of the civilized world. The exhibition of purpose and power made when, by a solid vote, the representatives of the people in Congress assembled voted the sinews of war, won for this nation a world prestige and brought that confidence of which success is born, to the heart of every citizen. To a foreign foe the republic stands as a unit for the defense of the honor and integrity of its people. There is not a man in the South who does not feel proud of his share in the onward sweep of the nation to its greater sphere of influence and usefulness.

True patriotism will stand ready to destroy domestic, as foreign foes. The victories of war are brilliant as the stroke of lightning, but the victories of peace are as glorious as the full-born day. Opportunity has come for a victory of peace that will serve the domestic welfare of the country for a century. Men who do not hesitate to sacrifice their lives should have sufficient courage to disregard traditions when the issue is a service for the best interest of the country, instead of a defense of the flag. A southern father wrote from the deathbed of his son, killed by a bullet fired by a Tagal insurgent:

"We pray for the sake of all who have fallen there

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SOUTHERN PATRIOTISM.

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(in the Philippine Islands) in defense of our country's honor that the flag under which they sacrificed their lives may never be pulled down.”

With equal fervor and no less patriotism, there are men and women all over the country who are praying and working to prevent the adoption of unsound public policies, which, if adopted, are certain to smother the glowing life of our prosperity with the black mantle of despair. He loves his country best who serves its welfare best. Shall the patriotism of the South prove itself unequal to the defense of the country's prosperity, in which the South is sharing so bountifully? Why this generally accepted assumption that the South is governed by traditions and not by reason? The leading papers of the South are replete with evidence of the prosperity that section is enjoying, but no evidence is given that the vote of the South will be in favor of maintaining the policies that have made this prosperity possible. General W. H. Jackson of Tennessee says: "If Bryan is elected business will go to hell, but I am going to vote for Bryan, anyhow." There is not a leading paper in the South that has not given evidence showing it knows the theories of government advocated by Bryan are not best for the welfare of the country, and are not in harmony with the teachings of the fathers whom they honor. They are making the mistake of following the shadow, the name of Democracy, and forsaking its substance, its principles. They know