The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-23

1T seems to be widely agreed that
the time has come for the South TO
take leadership in the councils of the
Democratic party--to assert due share
of primacy IN It's concerns, and to al
together abandon the attitude of a
practically volceless. ii not spineless
quantity in the national political sit
uation. If this view is to prevail, the
hour is now at hand to prepare for ac-
ton. The period Is upon us when the
South should take steps to show that
all this talk and discussion anent the
obligation resting upon her Democrats
to figure potentially in national Demo-
cratic councils is not the mere idle va
porting of impracticable enthusiasts.
The time has come when suggestions
are in order as to the best means Of
asserting and carrying into effect a
program by which the Democracy OF
this section may demonstrate firm
and unyielding purpose to claim I'm
every sense and in the fullest sense the
right to have a forceful Say" as to the
future of the national Democratic
party--to maintain vigorous, affirma-
tive, if need be an aggressive, attitude
i'll this connection. and. while loyalty
ready to bow to the verdict of the ma
tional Democratic convention. yet no
longer willing to do so without hav-
iGg made strong insistence that the
find full and unfettered expression in
the national Democratic platform.
Thus it is that The News begs to
offer the suggestion that the next Vir-
ginia Democratic State convention be
assembled at an early day--at the very
earliest possible day of next year
and that the members of our State
Democratic Committee shall begin now
to give the matter consideration, with
a view to being ready to act upon the
proposition. Just SO soon as the
call is issued for the gathering of the
national Dptnnprufip mi
State party authorities ought to be IN
a position to take UP the question and
give it speedy determination. The
News urges this course. Virginia Demo-
Gratis have been accustomed to hold late
conventions when choosing delegates 20
the national convention. Let's be
late" in such matters no longer. Let
II be so in 1908 that Virginia shall lead
that Virginia shall set the pace--that
Virginia Democracy shall be foremost
in declaring how it stands upon the po-
litical issues of the day-that Virginia
may present declaration of political
principles whose soundness and
strength will prove model and inspira-
tion for Democrats throughout the
land-and let her speak not only at
vocal negation and condemnation and
reputation of certain strange policies
and isms which leading Republicans
are now seeking to exploit as reflect
ing the national Democratic view
Virginia can lead in this plan of battle
If our people SO will it. Her voice can
and will ring throughout the nation
when declaring what is and what is
not true Democracy. If proper initia-
tive be taken and the people aroused
to the Importance of the step. This
great Commonwealth. we cay can be
the first State in the Union. or among
the very first, to send her Democracy
into the national political arena of
1908 to show of what kind it is, what
II stands for. what 1t will fight for
and, the things which it will be in
structed to oppose. The opportunity
should not be allowed to pass UNDECIDED.
Is the day really breaking which is
to witness the absolute death and burial
of that spirit which would treat the
south as mere patient burden-bearer
In national political campaigns? Is
the year 1908 to reflect this consum-
nation--to stand above the pulseless
body of dead sectionalism, and to
see 1t ensepulchred forever among the
hateful. unwholesome, harassing afflic-
lions of the past? Are the gates about
to open and the South, disenthralled in
soul-with spirit unclaimed; unshackle,i
of petty hindrances and prejudices. 70
pass through to the broad plane of ma
tional political achievement, equal with
other sections in right to mark out and
define the policies by which this nation
is to be governed; by which its veal IS
to be uplifted. its happiness insured?
Are these things about to be? We shall
soon know. Let the issue he put TO the
test. Let Virginia be first in endeayor
to put 1t upon trial
We repeat: LET VIRGINIA TAKE
THE LEAD!-Lynchburg News.