Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-18
THE PRINCIPLE OF 1T.

| IN commenting on an eoIlorldi VINO"
recently appeared in the Dispatch. and I'm
which IL was contended that the move
ment TO eject senators by tho people Is
essentially Democratic" the Alexandra
Gazette says:
| "Why. so far IL the proposed 'conven-
ton from being Democratic movement.
| that even those who called IL say II Will
| not be party convention, but only
convention Of those who agree with them.
Such an assemblage cannot, in the nature
OF things. be effective,
We do not propose that tho Gazette shall
place w I'm a false light In respect
Of this matter The Dispatch has
never claimed more for the proposed
gathering here on May 10th than have
those who issued the call for II. We have
never treated it as a party convention IN
the sense the Gazette would imply we
have treated It. on the contrary, we have
consistently kept before our readers the
fact that we regarded It as simply n
conference Of Democrats who favor ''the
election Of the senators Of the United
States by the direct vote OF the people
and until that result IS accomplished. the
selection OF party senatorial candidates
by some popular method" and who pro-
pose TO take such steps az In their judg-
ment will promote the triumph Of that
principle Moreover, we have distinctly
stated that in our view It would be unwise
for the conference TO go beyond the pur-
poses for which It was called, and eX-
pressed the belief. which we now ite-
rate, that any attempt 10 do so VIII be |
frowned down. At the same time we |
stin maintain that the principle Of electing |
United states senators by the people is |
essentially Democratic. and, therefore,
any movement whose object it is to make
that principle a reality and an active force
in our system is essentially Democratic
likewise.
We take 1t that in saying such an as
semblage (as that Of the 10th of May |
cannot, in the nature Of things, be effec-
tive" our Alexandria contemporary
means that It will not bind the
Democratic party OF Virginia as
an organization. As far as we
know none have claimed that 1t could.
NcNcltHcltSS, we DtieNe lldl Auc Nv4A-
ference will prove effective in finally
bringing the Virginia Democracy, as an
in line with its objects. And
Tor the reason that all signs go to show
hat the vast majority Of the Virginia
Democrats sympathize with the move
nent, and that it is gathering force daily.
Certainly it will prove effective IL the
,eOple have the faith in themselves that
he father of Democracy had in them,
nd show that faith by their representa- Z
ion in, and attendance upon, the as '
emblage. Certainly it will prove effec- {
i've If the rank and file of the Democratic !
arty assert in the conference, IN voice !
with the popularity Of the I
lovement, their "indefeasible right" TO c
tempt TO reform, alter. or abolish
lethod of electing senators which is de- o
lonstrating itself to be inadequate or i
TO the purposes underlying our 7
lstitutions and against the public veal" ,
re have too much confidence in the De- =
locracy Of Virginia to entertain the idea b
lat If these conditions shall obtain, as I
e believe they will. the minority Will a
OF bow to the majority and unite with
lem for the vindication Of the great and r.
'sential Democratic principle involved. q