Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1906-06-15
HERE'S TO "CHEsTERFIED."

EXTRACTS from Colonial Beach Progress)
Certain 1t is, that for the present, he
IS considering the quasi anointed: and
his heart, like that of David's, though
IN different fashion, has become fixed,
to say nothing of transfixed, as our
anointed IN. c." in chariot sweepeth
by, filling the earth with pomp and
circumstance. Observe that this is in
the language of the fabler. MIR. Jones
is not anointed, and he is far too modest
a gentleman to use chariots, pomp, &c.
But as Chesterfield" is evidently a
disciple of Aesop and would have us be
likewise, we are unalterably resolved to
make the effort with an abandon that
will stop short of nothing less than
murder. No man shall in this
Republic assume the perpetual right of
public office; neither through his hypo-
motto influence over men, nor through
his wealth nor birth nor pocket, nor
through his degree of past master in
the questionable art of politics. +. .
Spacious writer's and glib takers tell us
more than ever Horatio dreamed of in
his philosophy. They, and especially
Chesterfield" tell us the Good and the
Great reward us for our loyalty. He
and they tell us how we should vote.
that our reward may be swift and sure.
Thrice happy day! while the old wheel
horse knowing trick worth ten of that.
keeps forever one hand on the political
dust" heap and the other not infre-
quently In the ballot box. The
Public's choice, like glue, oftens sticks
to the wrong thing and it is this very
quality that we are now protesting a.
gainst. We are essentially creatures
of habit and the people acquire certain
political habits. Some acquire the habit
of monarchical government, some the
habit of autocracy, while others 90 so
far as to prefer government of the
despot, Some one thing, some another.
Kingdoms have been carved out of Re-
publics, the simplest ofnations distorted
into the most tyrannical, not through
fancy politics" but through the very
means that Chesterfield" now presents
for our supposed guidance and protec-
tion-the one man fallacy-power
acquired through the obeisance of a
fawning public, beheads kings, and we
repeat that Washington was fully aware
of this and lived up to his convictions.
- Asthousand reasons would add
no more feathers" to ''Chesterfield's
wings. He is flying near the ground
and peeking through key holes. One
reason properly introduced has given
satisfaction on more occasions than
we just now have time to recite.
Rather give us one reason of SUBJ
stance than q column of 81 am it. /"
That Mr.. Jones is worthy, all allow.
But we believe that neither long service
nor good deeds should forever stand as
bar over which other good men must
strain their necks, and feed as thew
may out of their masters hand. Seniority
is good in its place; but the junior mem
Der of the home as well as in the halls
OF Congress has been known to pedal
with both feet. Why always pipe to
the King? Is it intended as a criticism
upon Mr.. Mears that he has not Joined
n debate with Mr.. Jones PRAY whv !
his debate? This is a democratic G
state, then why open the way to "divid- r
ng house against itself 2" Rvl {
Ill means let the joint debate stand :.
excused; besides, Mr.. Jones may have
earned the art of getting his back to
he sun. Show US the fighter who can c
urn this trick and we will show you the t
nan who fights not for glory but for T
gain. Mr.. Mears is right, the challenge I
If Mr.. Jones is gratuitous, serving no
good purpose; neither as means of r
political education, nor as lamp unto :
,ur feet.