The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-09-16
THOUGHTFUL DEMOCRACY.

The nomination of Woodrow Wilson by the
New Jersey Democracy is healthy sign OF the
fines. Dr. Wilson is only in the higher sense
politician. Primarily he is a scholar and
thinker interested, every true scholar and
thinker must be, in governmental questions.
Secondarily he is a lawyer, with mind trained
in that sort of justice accustomed to the bal
ancing of rights of person and of property with
those other more fundamental rights of society.
That such man should have been chosen as
the candidate of the party for the Governorshlp
OF great State indicates the creation of new
standard OF political qualification.
The characteristics that governed Dr. Wilson's
selection as a candidate somewhat old-fash-
toned They are predicated rather upon old
ideas of law and justice, than upon new and
untried theories and innovations. They are
founded upon rights which have been tried and
tested in the fires of revolution, rather than up
on an egotstic reliance upon personal experiment
alton DIR. Wilson stands for little that is new,
but he typifes wholesome Renaissance in po-
litical ethics. His scholarship, opposed to the
present conspicuous diIettdnteispa, is simple in
stead of complex 1t is scholarship that
cepts the fundamentals and hopes 10 build upon
them, as opposed to philosophy that hopes to
structure. His teaching is OF that uncomplicated
sort to which the highest teaching always
verts. In time of passion and excitement to
passion. in moment OF national toment IN
which the impulse is toward negligence of right
and disregard of law DR. Wilson as a public
servant in high place viii set for the country a
fine and thoughtful example.
We believe that Dr. Wilson will be elected
- Lii ~
course of recent events that any other responsible
Democrat of integrity would have been elected
We may say that we look forward hopefully to
his administration, without any too sanguine
confidence in its success Despite his theoretical
qualifications, the educator is necessarily an ex-
pertinent that must be proved as an executive.
The important thing, in our view, is that New
Jersey at this moment seems to have Democ-
racy that is looking more to character than to
politics for expression. In choosing as its nom
inee man who was only receptive cam
didafe, in going in time golden with the hope
of success to the campus for leader, in choos-
ing as a standard bearer one whose every point
of character denies the hope of the spokesman the
New Jersey Democracy sounds the note of a
high purpose which must inevitably impress it
self upon the people of the country at large.
This is Democratic year all along the line.
The Notifications of special privilege crumble
against the assault. The revolution is in full
swing. In such moments the great need is that
the attack against the special privilege of money
should not result in the substitution of the priv
ilege of the mob. As in depreciation of this
danger, and as allaying that fear, Dr. Wilson's
domination stands out in clear assurance.
As to the broader possibilities inherent in the
action Of the New Jersey convention, time alone
can tell 1t may be that in the case of Prince
toms President, the fearless and able executive
may be welded upon the academician. If so,
another national figure is risen against the sky
line of politics. If not, the New Jersey De-
mocracy viii at any rate have strengthened it.
self by the extent to which it has demonstrated
the purity of lis purpose.