The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-11-29
VIRGINIA. ExEMPLAR.

II the Virginia constitutional ConTea-
ton finally adopts suffrage plan COIL
tsiia.: All understanding clause, or any
dcyfco like II. il VIII DO done against tho
protest OF q large number OF distinguish
ed members end against the protest Oh
at least n large percentage OF the pest
and trucgt men and women throughout
the State. Thcro Is certainly a VIII III
tho Convention. the will of the great ma
4or;tv of lie members, TO discover some
means of Kidding the State OF the eNii
and menace OF negro suffrage without
resort TO fraudulent or unconstitutional
devices. and where there l.; such WIZ
there must be a way.
Intelligence and morality form r pow
crrul combination. Tho Intelligence ana
The morality OF Virginia are represented
in this Convention and there is no PROD
lem within the range OF human posi-
bility which such a body of men cannot
solve. The Virginia Constitutional Con-
yention IS, as il were, mnss-meeliils
OF the people Of Virginia. Tho ConVen-
ton is the state and its action VIII be
the action OF The state; its declaration
OF principles will necessarily be Virginia 5
declaration OF principles
1t must not he forgotten that as with
an individual so with n Commonwealth,
character is absolutely necessary TO sue
cess and prosperity From 40 point OF
view can the State Of Virginia afford 10
do anything that will compromise her
aracter as an honorable State. 1t is
braS that We say that Virginia has al
WAYS been regarded as an eXemplar. she
is affectionatcly called the Mother OF
States and of Statesmen" and her chill
d:en in all parts of the country have
looked TO her for a noble example in
honesty, chivalry and justice. Virginia
must live up TO the high standard which
she herself has set. Virginia cannot
afford 10 stoop to trickery or doubtful
devices, or to anything that savors of
dishonesty or injustice or open con-
tempt of the law of the land. If she does
this thing or any one of these things,
through her Constitutional Convention, as
surci, as there is q. law of cause and CT
feet Just so surely will evil come OF it
and not good.
But if we should discard all questions
of sentiment, even from a material point
of view, it will be TO NirGinia's advantage
to take high ground on this question OF
suffrage as upon all questions which iiets
in them the moral element. If ciie Will
proclaim to the world throuG'. her Con
s,iiution that she stands fer equal and
exact Justice to all men and that she
will not countcnancp anything like dis
honesty ana trickery in the suffrage; II
she will talre the highest ground upon
this question aud upon the, question of
taxatien and the question of public edu-
cai;ju ami all associated questions, she
-,ill gain for. herself the praise and the
good will of the people of the United
States and she will attract the most de-
sirabe class of settlers and investments
In carrying out this high purpose it may
be necessary for some white men to make
a sacrifice. but it will not he a vain sac
,ifue. Good suits, moral and mate
rial, will follow such a course and every
citizen of the Commonwealth will directly
or Indirectly share in the benefits The
path Of duty is always the path of
safety. God save the Commonwealth!