The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-30

lative. but is promotive Of the primal
principle involved. When house has
been built under the direction OF sSiliiui
designers with a Jealous eye 10 its suita-
bleness for a special purpose. IL might
prove 10 be dangerous so TO change lts
structural organism rs 10 disturb the
self-supporting symmetry attained by the
application of architectural science. But
there can be no danger II there will be
not only no disarrangement in the com
bination of balances giving 10 II The
security of its primary poise. but an In
crease Of the strength I'm further ap-
plication of the principles observed in its
original design.
This government means. or is az least
supposed to mean. sef-government. self
government means government by the
people Surely no Jefferson Democrat
will deny the inherent right or the ca
pacity of the people TO choose their sen
afors as we'll as their governors and
their presidents. To do so would he 10
deny the very ground work Of our free
Institutions The fact that In the face
OF reyeated favorable action on the part
? TIE House OF Representatives the Sen
% stands stubbornly in the way in
matter. Is a fact that in itself alone
sht 10 he enough TO infame the pop
lar mind with alarm. Other govern
luton brought about by the faithless
ness and arrogance of defiant usurpers
leeitimafelv clothed with only VicariOus
authority. Let the American people take
note Of this warning truth. and there is
no time 10 lose I'm recognizing the peril
and providing against It. If loyalty OBJ
served. the true spirit of our govern
ment may always be depended upon as
its surest safeguard. Let the people feel
To- he Of
all operative political power and they
will see that whether in thought or act
20 oppose that power is TO oppose the
principle OF f-gOvcrnment-the great
principle that gave birth and being. light
and life 10 our American Institutions
our government Is not perfect no hui
man government can be. But self-gov
eminent, the government Of a people by
IN smselves. is surely the closest approx
nation TO De made TO government derlN-
ing its powers from rights that are
grounded in the moral nature of man.
III we had gods superior TO men among
MS we might be nationally brought TO
q consider a question denying the rights
or capabilities Of the people I'm affairs
OF State: but none of us are gods, We are
all poor frail and faulty men. and we
must make the best of it as we are.
As 10 the most satisfactory way Of
obtaining the judgment Of the Demo
cratic voters OF Virginia on-this question
as 10 the selection Of United
States Senators by the people
In anticipation OF an amendment
OF the Federal Constitution
hardly know what plan is the best 10 he
adopted. Democratic candidates for the
Legislature might be reasonably requr-
ed in advance Of the nominations to say
whether they would or would not vote
tn,
vor of a constitutional amendment trans
ferring the election Of senators from
the Legislatures 10 the people Of the
several states. But. oftener than other
wise. there is so much Of personal prefer
ence and prejudice involved in the nom
nations Of such candidates that this
method might not he the best. Then. we
might have a party primary throughout
the State 10 determine the question. but
would a primary for that purpose alone
bring out the Democrats in sufficient
number to make the result satisfactory?
At the elections for county offices next
month ballots and ballot-bOXes not le-
galized might be used-apart from the
regular pOlls-tO ascertain the opinion OF
each Democratic voter on this question.
But / doubt that the people generally are
yet inspired with sufficient interest IN
the matter 20 be advisedly subjected 20
a test OF oflHiNH, Win tAilFf Sallria DC
ton 10 both sides. What then? Why. q
State convention. representing the whole
Democracy OF the State. sometime In
the summer before any nominal ms for
the Legislature are made.
The Conference OF the advocates of
this movement for a popular selection OF
United States senators TO be held in
Richmond on the 10Th OF next month. will
have but 10 demand that such a conven-
tion be held. and II will be neld.
OF all the States in he L non Nir-
ginia. above every other. ought 10 be
giving her views 10 The country on This
important question without further de-
lay. Let her speak and speak boldly
not only for herself as she thinks and
feels at this period under existing CON
ditions but as wei for the teachings and
memories OF her men OF tho revolution.
who were best among tho builders os
this government. which. as Democrats
we are striving 10 pcrpetuatc.
Above all things. let us have no schism
in our party in this old Commonwealth
now enjoying the blessings OF peace and
security under the aegis 90 our united
Democracy. BAKER 4. LEE.
Hampton. Va.
Senator G.. w. Lc Cato.f@=