The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-10-01
SUNDAY. OCTOBER I, 1899.
THE TIMES CONGRATULATES IT
SEIE

when The Times commenced its exist
cnce under the present management the
outlook for sound principle in public af-
fairs IN virginia was gloomy. Individual
Virginians retained the sturdy fibre Of
their character and the homes Of the peo-
pie were the residence Of as fine and
elevated sentiments as ever animated a
nation. But we were a conquered people.
The war had resulted ia our overthrow,
an OF our cherished ideals had been cast
down and trampled under foot. our wealth
had been d~issipated, and an impoyer-
ished people. hacked and discouraged
looked 10 the future with little hope
and small objection to public matters
running alone as they would so that they
were no more harried and tortured by
what they had been forced to undergo.
II was the era OF the ~demagogue, and
wei he Piled his trade. The true Nir-
e~inians-thOse men who had given char
aoter and impress 20 all that had Viz
ginia's name associated with it-st0od
aside in almost sullen despair and left the
-demagogues and quid-nuncs 10 bind Nir-
ginia 10 every prescription which every
h~erb-doctor OF politics brought out as
a cure for the Ills Of lie day. Il was
when the herb-doctor politics was an the
politics OF. the state that The Times bold
IS SHE'D its castor into the ring and chal-
lenged them ali. little ana big. high am
low. to xhibit their wares before the
Common sense people Of the State in
competition with the old-tme notions OF
common sense ana m on honesty that
orr forcfathers had ever cherished from
Their earliest historical years.
Il, was q discoufsging prospect that The
Times had before It. but nothing daunted
q faced their ridicule and scorn, and pro-
claimed the doctrine that II believed to be
true. And many VINO formerly took issue
with The Times are now preaching our
doctrine.
y, one Of the most interesting changes
mi we have noted in public affairs Is
the altered position Of the Richmond Dis
patch UPON currency questions. II is not
long snce it was IN ardent ~greenbacker,
aud when The Times. seven or eight years
ago. began 30 point out that our present
financial laws ruined the people by con-
lining currency TO the commercial centres. I
End leaving the agricultural sections des-
ntute. il could md no language sufi-
eieutiy descriptive In which to ridicule
The Times proposition that the cure for
The cvli was the rechariering Of cur state
ianLs.
fNt any one now read yesterdays edi-
tou'l ic the Dispatch upon our currency
isv~. s1d contrast It With the song II
sing SIX or seven years ago. 1t openly
declares that the greenbacks must he
taken in and never issued again, and
while It does not use the wore state bank
once. It's logic inevitably leads TO the con-
c}asion that the people must be restored
their right t. save their local banks.
We are not Gliding or approaching our
reishbor Tor lis past denunciations OF The
Times when IL IS now almost standing
upon The Times platform. We mean all
This for congratulations 10 Il. that the
scales have at last fallen from Is eyes.
AID that =, Is now be- inning to see things
a. they arc.
But VII ist congratulating the Dispatch
The Times feels that IL can also congratu-
late Itself. II has had a long. weary and
hard road TO travel, but the Dispatch's
conversion In this one matter is solace
enough to & 10 encourage it TO unfag-
sins persis;eney in Its pursuit OF the
right.