Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-29
"REFERENDUM.n

1t Is the same old, pitiful story told
time out OF mind. and that must con
tinue to be told, we fear, until after the
political millennium. "a falcon tower
Ing in his pride of place was. by a
mousing owl hawked at and killed."
Such Is the aspiration Of the owls.
Such shall not be the fate of our brave
leader If brave hearts and eager hands
may prevent 1t.
The open enemies, and far worse, the
covert enemies of Bryan and the peo-
pies cause. are raising a mighty hue
and cry over the Nebraska platform
and especially the feature of 1t known
as the Initiative and Referendum. The
spectre of populism is invoked, and
the "unco quid and rigid-righteous
Observation-Disclosures lift up their hands
in holy indignation lest the temple OF
Democracy be profaned by unclean
spirits
We are not the apologists of the Pop
ulist party. We know a much better
way; and we advocate with all our
might the principles and the leaders
of Democracy-the party of Jefferson,
of Jackson, of Bryan. Many of these
principles the Populists have adopted
as their own: and to that extent, no
further. we are with them; or. rather,
they are with us. AS compared with
imperialists, Palmer Bucknerites. and
with all who would forswear the De-
claration OF Independence, and the
Constitution, we consider them as
angels OF light. They are opposed
manfully opposed, to almost all the
blighting evils that threaten the very
existence of free government. Again
they have some theories of govern
ment that are socialistic. impra ctlca-
BILE, Democratic. and these we shall
oppose to the bitter end.
But the Referendum! "TIorresco
referens"-say the class of Palmer
Bucknerites and other goldites, who
squeak the voice of the Darlings. who
wish to kill off Bryan by fair methods
or foul.
This paper has been advocating a
Referendum for weeks past. Referen-
dunn has been the prevailing, If not the
unvarying, custom of the Democratic
party in Virginia in the past. Even
ly silent. there was a Referendum OF
the great and absorbing question of
secession, to the peoplc-and soldiers
stood up in ranks and voted as free
men for. or against, secession as their
sense of right dictated.
And we demand, and demand with
iteration, that there shall be a Re-
ferendum on any New Constitution
that a convention may frame for the
State of Virginia.
Shall not the people be permitted to
say whether or not an organic and
fundamental law, framed as their
Constitution and Bill of Rights for an
indefinite period OF time. Is such Con-
stitution as they desire? Is the prn-
ciple of representative government to
be pushed to such an extreme that the
people, presumed to be represented,
shall have no say whatever except at
second hand?
Undoubtedly even Referendum may
be run to extremes. Not every merely
transient legislative enactment. sus-
ceptible OF repeal at the next session.
need be subject to it. But when the
fundamental laws OF a great State,
framed to continue for fifty years or
longer. are involved. then the people,
under n Democratic form of govern
ment, have a riGht-a right they will
insist upon-to say whether or not the
Constitution, framed for them. is such
an Organic Law as they desire.
We have lived under the present
Constitution for thirty years. The first
Constitution of the State remained our
Organic Law from 1776 to 1880. Mas
sachusetts to-day lives under the CON-
stitution enacted in Colonial days.
The Constitution Of a State is the
Charter of the peoples liberties and
rights. 1t must never be permitted to
become the plaything Of the politicians
or the corporations.
AN ECHO FROM EMPORIA.