The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-07-29
WITH THE VIRGINIA EDITORS

It seems all too probable that the big ma
tons of the world win soon be engaged in
terrible conflict with one another, and
when this conflict comes, what part the
United States will be obliged to take by rea-
son of the attitude Of its Government, Is
question that comes home to every thought
full citizen. Mr.. Roosevelt is reported to
have said in a recent speech that we are
now az the parting Of the ways. 1t is this
fact that makes Imperialism the issue of
the coming campaign. AS long as It IS
necessary for US to maintain fleets and
standing armies over territory claimed by
us outside of the Constitution, in the event
of a general war, it hardly seems possible
that the United States be not drawn into
it.-Buchanan Banner.
The action Of certain negro leaders of
Virginia in calling convention of repre-
sentatives of that race to oppose the re-
striction of suffrage is neither wise nor
polite. The negroes who will meet in
Charlottesville next month will be- presum-
ably, the most respectable Of their race,
and representative Of class which neith1
an education nor property qualification
would deprive of their votes. This action,
therefore, is not based upon desire to pro-
tect the suffrage of the better class OF ne
Igroes in Virginia, but to preserve to the
ignorant and shiftless of their race all the
. rights and benefits which are possessed by
sober, industrious and sef-respectins ne
groes in the State. In this, as in every po-
itcal contest which has a<isen in Virginia
since the negroes were given the right to
vote, they have aligned themselves solidly
against the majority Of the white voters.
II is not surprising that those who have no
correct appreciation Of the Importance Of
the ballot, and who value the right OF
suffrage only for what it will bring IN the
market. should oppose any restriction upon
their commodity. But for intelligent ne
sroes-those who should be interested in
protecting the ballot from fraud and in
jury-to align themselves with the ignorant
and corrupt and against those with whom
they have common interest Will not do
them nor those they are STOPPING to help
| any real good.-CharlottesVille Progress
imperialism and all that 1t means should
be enough to arose every Democrat TO the
Necessity of securing a Democratic House
II there were no other reason, that would
be amply Sufficient. In the South, how
ever, We have another powerful incentive
! to activity. There is a. carefulIy-formu-
lated plan to cut down Southern represent
taton in Congress in case the Republi-
cans have a working majority in the lower
House next time. They are already safe
in the Senate. An unmistakable hint OF
the purpose to lessen the South's power in
national affairs is given by this paragraph
from the editorial animadversions OF the
Washington Star, g. Republican newspaper
OF Importance 10 the present campaign in
North Carolina:
No intelligent person In this country
wants negro domination in any form, and
particularly not in matters of government.
Nor does any intelligent person really fear
such a thing. The roar on the subject is a
| partisan cry intended for partisan ends
But if the negro is to be counted out at
home let MIN be counted out IN Congress.
After being deprived Of all power himself.
he should not be used to increase the
power of those who have despoiled him. =
| Norfolk Landmark.
| The word Populist is derived from the
Latin word "populus," meaning people. a
! Populist is, therefore. person who be-
lieves in the people, is one of the people,
| wishes the people to have rights and 50
forth He, in other words, Is opposed to
| that tendency which lodges all power In
| one, man or a small set Of men, as is done
| By kingly governments, and which term is
| generally known as Imperialism, which
| Webster defines as the spirit OF Empire"
Oir. readers, therefore, who are opposed to
| iroper:alism, to which point The Republican
| partv is fast leading the nation. need not
| fee! hurt by being called Populists; there IS
nothing but glory and honor in the term
| Staunton Spectator.
| The Gold Democrats have done the SEN
! sihle thing in declining to fuse with the
| anti-imperialists or to put out a thlro
| ticket Those Democrats who approve Of
| McKfnley's administration and the policies
| OF the Republican party ought to be free
to express that approval In positive way,
| and the great majority who do not endorse
| the policies and tendencies of that party
| ought to be sufficiently courageous to vote
directly against the Republican candidates.
Charlottesville Progress.