The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-21
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SIGNS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

l Next TO n race TO lace ltilR Will III
| diyldual citizens of every walk of life,
nothing SO gives the temper and spirit
| of the country as close reading OF
| the weelslies and country dailies. The
EDITORS of these journals are rightly
Supposed to be in much closer touch
with the sentiment of their vicinage
| than are the editors of the papers In
the larger cities. To be in accord with
the weekly papers of Virginia Is to
be in accord with the sentiments of the
great body of Virginia voters. The
mere difference between the weekly
and the daily is the fact that the
weekly is nearer the hearts of It's
readers, and much more often expresses
their feelings. We are led to make
this preface by reason of some very
in Virginia papers of this week. There
lis an unmistakablc restlessness under
what is believed to be a ring domina-
ton, and the yoke of party loyalty
through thick and thin, for better or
worse, has grown SO irksome and cut
SO deep that many faithful supporter
who would never have thought he
could rebel is growing dangerously
FESTIVE. The most striking indication
of how the State feels is found in the
South Boston News, which says in part:
The Importance of strong minority
Iparty was clearly demonstrated in the
last-Qeneral Assembly, especially in the
lthea case. The thanks of the people
of Virginia, who desire to see a pure
and unsulied judiciary, are due Senator
Noel for preferring charges against
Judge Rhea, and those who bravely
stood by him in his efforts to defeat
the confirmation of a man whose chief
qualification for the position was based
upon party SERVICE" which Governor
Swanson claims is a badge of honor
The noble stand taken by Senator
Wiclham placed him among those who
esteem the purity of the judiciary far
above factional or party politics. Such
man and such men as those Of his
party that rallied around his standard
can always be trusted.
But how about Judge Mann? AL
though one of the committee to try the
case, he rendered his verdict before the
accused was arraigned for trial, and
placed every obstruction he could in
I the way of full, free and unreserved
Investigation, and occupied the posi-
ton OF attorney for tho defendant
rather than juryman to weigh the evil
dence.
To the same effect is the Evening
Journal of Fredericksburg, which says:
No republic can afford to have but one
party. Had the party Of Virginia been
| u little more evenly divided between the
| TWO parties, Governor Swanson would
not have put Judge Rhea in nomination
Tor. the Corporation Commission, nor
\ would he, If nominated, have been con-
firmed by the General, Assembly.
| To the Republican party of vir-
| glnia has come all opportunity which
1t has not had for long years to ap-
peal TO that element, and it is a
| growing clement, which is thoroughly
discontented with the manner in which,
| the affairs OF the State have been
conducted Virginia needs two parties
| to keep alive discussions of issues
that present themselves to our people
TO prevent oppressive and tyrannical
legislation, and to keep down that
corruption which comes where parties
are not watched by powerful opponents.
| Ihere is little prospect of Virginia
casting its electoral vote for a Repub.
mean nominee for President, but there
is a prospect that some OF the bosses"
| VINO regard their districts as their per-
soHal poSSeSSlons may get a good
shaSinS up. The old war cries have
lost their magic. Too long have we re-
manned outside of the current OF ma
tonal life. We have been spectators
ia ther than partclpators too many
years.
While the Stanton Daily Leader. with
clear insight as to the fundamental
basis for successful party government,
makes this comment:
Evidently some people In this dov
and generation stll cling with m
vafSlng tsnacity to the old belief that
| me king can do no wrong, Two
lStaunton Democrats were discussino
party issues here yesterday when ono
OF them took the unsupportable and
unbelievable position that he would
never entertain charges against a DEM
ocrat In Office or public life when those
charges were brought by a Republican,
Such extreme partisan feeling as this
i,liSllt nave been we'll in place in tho
darkness OF the Middle Ages, but how
reasonable and Just man can pa
rade 1t before the light OF present
Gay civilization we cannot we'll ina.
Sine We owe allegiance to the Demo.
cratic party just so long as that party
! maintains is integrity and love of HIGH
principles. When it falls from these
/ we would care no longer to be iden-
tilted with il. The Democratic party, or
! amy other PARTY builded by human
/ hands. has its own shortcomings. due
! 10 the faliibility of human nature. ANY
| man within any party may do wrong
any one man in any opposing party,
granted that he is a thoroughly re-
Spohslble and reliable person, should
| be accorded the privilege of exposing
| me SIN and the sinner, II he have the
! evidence at hand with which to clio
H. We do not believe in cloakinp
! eva IN any manner whatever. III there
mas been crime committed, the perpe.
I traitor shotld be punished, with an nj
Ter and absolute disregard OF political
/ am Nations social standing, on religious
belief, This Is one of the great prin-
eipies of really Democratic govern
nent
These atterances are most signih-
cant They show that people are be
ginning to think for themselves. ana
when the people do adopt this course
there has never failed to be unlocked.
Tor political changes.