Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-25
VIRGINIA LEADERSHIP.

The Radford Advance says that many
of the most patriotic citizens Of Virginia
Nill attend the May conference, and that
many others who cannot spare the time
now to attend will wish the movement
every success 80" adds the Advance,
'let all who can so go, and let others
write and encourage the movement in
every way possible
The Advance makes no mistake in its
estimate of the popularity Of the move
ment, and its suggestion that Democrats
who favor it, but who cannot be present
at the confe -ence, encourage the move
ment by writing. is not a bad one, pro-
vidcd il does not operate TO prevent of-
forts to overcome obstacles in the way Of
personal attendance. We know that there
are in Virginia many ardent sympa-
thizers with the movement 10 whom
trip to Richmond on the occasion in ques-
ton would be next to impossible. Let
these give the conference encouragement
and support by writing. But there are
many equally intense advocates of the
object of the conference whose attend
ance, while involving inconvenience. could
be accomplished at comparatively slight
sacrifice. With these where there is the
will the way can be found. Let them
make the sacrifice. impart TO the con-
ference the stimulus Of personal pres
ence. and give 1t the benefit of their coun-
sells Let them remember that whatever
sacrifice they make will be made in the
interest of a great cause.
Aside from the matter of the abuse the
conference aims TO correct, the movement
is. &c our mind one that appeals TO the
pride of every Virginia Democrat. That
the time is coming when United States
senators will be elected by the people is
as certain as that the sun will rise to-
morrow morning. The revulsion against
the present method is gathering force
every day in the minds and hearts of the
people throughout the length and the
breadth of the land. No State impressed
its influence more indelibly than Virginia
upon the formative process OF the gov
ernmert. and for long years no state was
more potent in holding the administration
of the government to the lines OF Democ-
racy as Democracy was interpreted by
the fathers of the republic. From the in
cipiency of the revolution. Virginia was
one OF the leaders in all movements for
the vndication Of the great underlying
principle of our system, that govern
ments derive "their just powers from the
consent of the governed; that whenever
any form of government becomes de-
strucuve" of the ends for which il was
formed at is the right of the people to
alter or TO abolish IL. and to institute a
ney government, laying its foundation on
such principles. and organizing its
powers I'm such form as 10 them shall
seem most likely to effect their safety
and happiness" The powers OF this gov
eminent are vested under constitutional
limitations In three OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
tive, executive. and judicial. Each is
separate from the others, but each bears
a relation 20 the others that makes the
three constitute certain unity, known
as the government. a principle that APP
plies 60 and affects the whole applies TO
and affects the parts and any subdvi-
sion OF the parts that may exist The
people have recognized that the method
OF electing senators that now obtains has
resulted in conditions which contravene
the principle TO which we have referred
as lying at the base OF our institutions.
The movement 10 elect senators by the
direct vote OF the people is a movement
TO alter or abolish a feature OF our form
OF government which is becoming des-
tructiye OF the ends for which that fea-
ture was designed and TO that
extent taints the whole form. The May
conference presents the opportunity for
Virginia 10 become the accepted leader
IN the Tevulsion. 1t presents the oppor-
tunity for Virginia TO give practical di-
recton TO the duty and the work OF maxi
ing the Senate do its part towards vim
dicating true Republican government SO
we say that both pride and patriotism
ought TO impel Virginia Democrats 10
maze any reasonable sacrifice TO attend
the Nay conference. In order that they