Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-11-17
REFORM BEGINS AT HOWE.

Like charity. reform begins at home.
We know the wrongs and evils that af-
flict us, and we know their authors. We
may not know exactly how to deal with
them, nor may we, ut first, be strong
enough to accomplish the necessary
work Of reform; but capacity comes
with effort, and trial shows the way.
If at first you don't succeed. try, try
again. Before the days OF percussion
caps and shells. many a flash in the
pan was followed by a shot that took
the meat" The hunters motto. was,
"Pick your flint and try again"
We know what's the matter in Nor
folk. Certain gentlemen have taken adj
vantage Of our devotion to Democracy.
our hate of Republicanlsm and our fear
of negro rule. They have neither the
devotion, nor the hate, nor the fear:
but they are cunning to make their
profit of them. They take the offices,
the jobs, the honor, profit and trust,
and permit us to vote for them and
to suit themselves, OF their boss, and
then call us in to go through the forms
OF law. 1.-THE organization is every
thing" for they are the organization;
the people are nothing, for we are but
the naughts that give power to the
real figures, l, 2, 8, 4, and so on, rails
ing them to high consideration while
we practically efface ourselves. In their
names.
The fact is that these gentlemen have
been "too long in SERVICE" they know
too much; they are entirely too smart;
they have got too big for their
breeches;" their suspenders are buck
led SO high that they have to straddle:
and they have so long overlooked all
| principles that they do not know the
difference between Republicanism and
! Democracy; but they have keen eyes
and ears for the color and chink Of
gold. 1.-THE money there Is in it, is their
principle and principal, and they spell
1T indifferently either way as 1t means
the same to them both ways. Democra-
cy and the people still have some off,
ces and pickings for earnest seekers in
Virginia, and so they are Democrats"
for these. provided they have them all.
or all that they are worth in power,
trade. or pelf. But Democracy and Vir-
gina and her people are bankrupt In
| Federal politics. They even clamor for
silver when there is gold to be got,
worth sixteen times. at least, the infe-
rior metal! The Republicans are the
thrifty fellows, and they go for gold
and imperial expansion at the expense
Of the blood and possessions Of the Fill
pinos, who are a feeble people, though
lately our allies against Spanish tyran-
ny.
What Of it?" say our Home Rulers.
1--WE can be Democrats for all 1t is
worth In State politics, and Republi-
cans In National politics.! That Is a car
! pet-bagger inspiration Of the days
| when we professed loathing of Repub
licanism In every shape and form; but
we have about squeezed that orange
dry; and II we Gun edge off for gold
and expansion, we may gradually re-
turn to Clevelandism, between which
and this Hanna-Republicanis there Is
only the difference twixt tweedledum
and tweedledee; and in due time next
year, by our Martin methods, wen go
to the National convention against sill
yer and Bryan, in the name of the
Democratic party of Virginia." That Is
the program. Shall 1t be carried out
here. Norfolk Democrats?