The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-24
The True Democracy.

Editor of The Times:
Sir.-The making-or mending-of con-
6titutions has been frequent of late years
But though many were made-or mended
by those who considered themselves.
and We're considered by others, as staunch
Democrats, not one of them is worthy to
be followed by us in making a Constitu-
ton for Virginia For it may be doubt
ed if there is anywhere in the world a
legislative body which has eitherSa clear
idea of what Democracy means or a def
mite purpose TO adhere TO its teachings.
Real Democracy does not mean only
that majority Of the people shall rule.
for majcrities nay and often do op-
press those who oppose them.
Nor does it only mean the right Of the
people to choose their rulers, for even
such rulers may be tyrannical and med
dIeseme.
But real Democracy means that the pri-
rate citizen shall be let alone in the eN-
crcise OF every right which does not in
1crfere with the same right in another.
"a pure Democratic Government is like
the big boy in the school-yard who inter
feres to protect the little boys and COM
1nands the interfering bully Now, you
just let him alone"
This is the Democracy which many
Democratic States have forgotten, and
which some Democratic leaders have
never learned. IT is The Democracy
which. call it what YOU VIII, the whole
world needs TO learn. 1t is the Democ-
racy which in these days seems in danger
OF perishng from off the earth. For.
while republics increase in number and
power, and our own great republic. built
a Democracy. grows greater every day,
the private citizen is daily losing his
rights, and we may indeed doubt whether
he is as free under the great starry flag
as his fathers were under the crown.
This kind OF Democracy needs be writ
strong and plain in our new Constitution
80 plain that the dullest may catch the
meaning; so strong that meddlers every
where may take warning. Whatever the
nation shall become, whatever other
States may do. let Virginia be the land
where The private citizen shall be let
alone in his ..inalienable" rights. And.
sc necessary thereto. let precedents pc
smashed and let parties be dissolved
The men who shall sit in the Sonstltu-
tional Convention Will hase an opiWt :
unity such as no men have had snce
sba convention that formed the Federai
PROSTITUTION. II they do their work Well
,,o, only will this old State became the
home OF true liberty and pure Democra.
ry-a L,sssing. = pride to generations set
nnborn-but her example VIII De seen
pnd her lead be followed by sister states
md nv foreign nations. AS Inc feoetai
Constitution showed the world that i
nation could govern itself without crowns
and thrones, let us now teach that r..
nriyate citizen can be let alone, ana ohis
$ ya 10 1et alone will the highest type
&c ,,,,eyty and human progress De a1LdlS-
Al q 1csli the convention measure cup 10
~, ,,nss,hIiif5ess Not If weak men or
.a,f,sl, men control it. not indeed unless
ii be ruled by true patriots-naen VINO . .,,,.e
: : es ese,. state for their States sake. The
ras of hitory are crowded with the
s,,fYcrincs OF peoples Who were governed
foo much. The world has never Known
s Wv = THos. c. DlGGs.
Richmond, Va. Feb. . 1901.