The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-27
THE PROBLEMS OF ro-,1onnow.

THE PROBLEMS OF To-MoRnow.
some days ago we stated our belief
that the solution of Americas future
political problems depended upon the
Democratic party. We declared that
the manifest trend Of political parties
would make the Republicans the
special champions OF wealth and reac-
zion. that the Socialist party would re-
main the champion of communism and
radfcalism; and that the Democratic
party. occupying a position between
these two extremes would find itself
the only hope of the country The
tendency towards such n struggle is
so manifest and the evidences of its
approach are so widespread, that we
expressed little doubt that the future
Of the Constitution depended on the
party of the Constitution. Extreme
Repubiicanism begets socialism as a
trcaction, and against both sane Demo-
cracy must contend.
Commenting on our remarks, State
SScnator STROBE. writing in his paper
f1he Amherst Progress expresses his
bopinion that the success of the Demo-
sratic party, in such time. depends
upon whether or not it shall be domi-
mated by the reactionary element in
its ranks The control of the party
tby the reactionaries. he thinks, will
give the party "as little to offer the
ienemies of plutocracy and privilege as
can now be found with the dominant
faction of the Republican party" He
adds: let us get down to brass
ltacks and hear just what it is that
tthe regenerators of Democracy pro-
pose"
Manifcstly. Senator strobe does not
expect us to answer this question be-
cause we are not numbered among the
t''resenerators of Democracy we do
bnot want TO ''regeneratc the party"
because the party needs no regenera-
tion in the sense that it must be born
again; it merely needs to return to the
principles of its youth ard to main
tain them The man who wants to
see the party born again may have
Very commendable zeal and he may be
an honest reformer, but we pray TO be
delivered from him. He is not Dem
ocrat
However, Mr.. Strodes challenge is a
tempting one to those of us who have
been faithful to the party during its
long Populstic captivity and have
cherished the principles by which the
party triumphcd in other days, and we
cannot forhear 10 offer to Senator
STROBE and to the regenerators a few
isusgestions, which may or may not be
f'down to brass tacks.' The great
fundamental principles of Democracy
as we see them are. the maintenance
fof the rights of the states a tariff for
trevenue only, economy in the Govern
ment service and non interference of
government in the affairs of tho indi-
tNidual TherS. can re little dispute as
10 how the people can return to the
first three of these principles, and I'VE
Imagine that the problem which is
troubling Senator STROBE is, how to
keep the government from Interfering
t
maintaining every man in his right
Z The answer TO this problem will de-
pend on the enactment of laws which
have at heart this principle: Every
man has right to his own. labor and
1nd TO his own property without inter
1ering with others or being disturbed
by others The laborer has a right to
g fair days pay for fair days
work; the capitalist has right TO a
fair return on his honestly armed
money. When government denies
either it ceases to be democracy; when
u grants both. it must he secure.
Following this principle. we think
fhe rights of labor can be upheld ana
should be upheld by the government
by the enforcement of these principles:
First, every man should have the
tight of free contract, either as an in
dividua or as a member of labor
ORGANIZATION.
Second. no man should be compelled
20 Join a labor organization or be dis
srimnated against because he Joins
one, When he Joins labor organiza,
zion he should he responsible for his
ACTS as an Individual
Third when any labor organization
lnterfefes with the free rights OF con-
tract or combines with other organi-
zatlons to ruin the business or confs
cate the property Of others, it should
be responsible in It's corporate capac.
stS- for any injury II may inflict,
Fourth, peaceful strikes should moi
be enjoined. pickeung should not b,
prohibited, but every rioter should be
punished as an Individual
When the Democratic party goes be
yond this, in protecting labor, it In
vades the right Of capital when {
fails to 90 thus far, It subjects abo
70 the domination Of capital TIL
same care must be shown in preserv
ang the proper rights Of capital Will
preventing capital from crushing fire.
labar9 Briefly stated, we think tn