purpose, who has at heart as one
of the greatest possible triumphs of his administration the restoration
of normal political conditions in the South. Under his wise and
sympathetic leadership the writer is sanguine of success--certain of it
if the influential people of all sections give him the support he so
richly deserves in this truly patriotic mission.

ANDREW CARNEGIE.

%The Solid South%

ADDRESS BY MR. WALTER H. PAGE

IN INTRODUCING THE HONORABLE WILLIAM H. TAFT

At the Dinner of the North Carolina Society of
New York, at the Hotel Astor. December 7, 1908

Here, if nowhere else, we leave political parties and preferences alone.
But here, as everywhere else, we are patriotic men; and we North
Carolinians have as our background a community that from the first
showed a singularly independent temper. A freedom of opinion is our
heritage. We once drove a Colonial Governor who disputed our freedom of
political action to the safer shelter of the Colony of New York; and
throughout our history we have shown a sort of passion for independent
action, in spite of occasional eclipses; and that same temper shows
itself now. We are, in fact, never sure that we are right till half our
neighbors have proved that we are wrong.

We are, therefore, and have long been, much distressed by the political
solidity of the states of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and
Pennsylvania; and we wish that it were broken--not for the sake of the
Democratic party nor for the sake of the Republican party (for the
breach would benefit each alike) but for the sake of greater freedom of
political action by our unfortunate fellow citizens who dwell there.
Where one party has too long and secure power it becomes intolerant and
the other party falls into contempt. Thus these states have become
stagnant or corrupt. For the sake of free political action we wish that
their political solidity might be broken, so that the whole conscience
and character of their people might find full political expression. What
constructive influence have they, or have they in recent years had, in
the nation's thought and political progress?

For the same reasons we have taken an especial pleasure in the recent
breaking up of Ohio, Minnesota, and Indiana--where on the same day
presidential electors of one party and governors of the other party were
chosen; for this breaking asunder of party dominance makes both parties
tolerant and careful, helping them both a