The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-09-03
SNAREFORNEW CHIEFS
Politics in Plea for Ratif-
cation of Constitution.
FIERCE sTATEMENToF A MONTAGUE
PAPER.

editorial, in two recent issues, reviewing
the political situation between the two
factions and outlining n strong argu-
ment politically and legally, in favor of
proclaiming the new Constitution. 1--WE
have had machine in Virginia said
the Free Press in the first of its able edi-
torials. 1T was not the Democratic
party. Understand that distinctly. But
it had coign OF vantage, and il ruled
the State as il it were the Democratic
party This machine has not been Ousted.
1t has suffered IA great loss OF prestige in
the last four months and failed to cap
ture n prominent, but not controlling
position-thc GOvernorship.
Talk about the recent overthrow and
upheaval," continues the Free Press
editorial. THE victory as yet is largely
empty honor. The machine 3 colors were
shot away. but it still holds the rampant
wall, and every ballot box is brick 1t
made sortie, was repulsed, and lost
some men-that IL all.
1t knows that the best time to sur
prize and defeat it's enemy is when it is
intoxicated with victory. Therefore,
says the machine, we must trust the
people We must submit this new Con
stituton (which you will frame to dis
inherit us) to the people THAT is to our
seight-oi- hand performers added 10 the
negro vote, which is not anxious TO com
nit suicidel. Don't you see what a deep
and dark scheme it is, and how every
thing iavors it2 The devil himself can
plausibly preach morality on that text.
BEAUTIES OF POPULAR GOVERNMENT.
The one-man power is TO accomplish
its purpose by preaching the beauties OF
popular government Means, too, are
at hand to cover up the tracks OF the un-
paralleled treachery. The machine could
say the new Constitution was defeated
at the polls because it had reformed under
pressure and given an honest election.
Notwithstanding the absurdity of
asking the improperly eufranchised to
vote for their Acknowledgement, we go on
record as saying it might be entirely pos
sible to have ratified new and really
valuable Constitution either by the pre-
sent unabridged electorate or by an
abridged one-but for this element that
interposes. 1t is true however, that
such a remedial revolution as we now
seek has many of the difficulties of trying
to give medicine to sick cat whose
claws are not affected.
For our part we could never view
with complacency an organic law which
was really forced upon an unwilling peo-
ple. But believe us, that thought is as
far from the realities of this ease as the
East is from the West
"The machine, of course, prefers sub
mission to the present unabridged cleo
torate. That. will make its garroting as
sault easier, and will leave neater job.
"But, bless your life, it is not going to
stand on it. Toward the last days OF
the Constitutional Convention, if hard
pushed, it is going to appear to yield
nearly all and agree to a submission to
an abridged electorate.
"That course will appear to be com
promise between proclamation and
submission to the present electorate
and the voice of compromise is the 'vox
del of many Virginia statesmen
"Then the triumphantel elephant, snort
ing it's paeans OF victory through the
Jungle, with head up and trunk pulling
down palm branches to wave, will ap-
proach the deadiall carefully concealed
and laid for it amidst the tropical under
growth.
"At pinch, what cares the machine
for ctorates-abridged or unabridged?
1t cares not who may hold a nations
ballots so long as it may have the ballot
boxes
"All it asks is that we may take our
hard-wOn Constitution out and go
through the motions ofan election over
it. That is absolutely essential. Put It
in a box for a moment, await few
passes or shuffles, and then come up on
the stage and see the wizard wave his
left hand and bow like acontortionist just
off the trapeze
Expect anything from the experiment
As well expect the Decalogue TO be rati-
fed by the electorate of hades AS well
expect confirmation OF death sentence
on Capt Kidd's men by the happy free
hooters themselves
"This picture is by no means over
drawn. nor are its first lines exaggerated.
Go to the files of nearly every Virginia
newspaper and trace the origin OF the
clamor for Constitutional reform in the
demand for a clean and honest election
system and administration for a sui
frage law that would make them attain
able. Does not that mean that everybody
knows in what keeping our ballot-boxes
now are that everybody has seen the
boomerang in the situation-that every
body that is fighting at all is fighting
against that greatconceded evil? What
a guilty knowledge it is, then, that would
tie the keys Of escape to the Cyclops'
belt?"