The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-26
A-ltint TO the Purity.


Sir,-Why should the Democratic
organization of Virginia commit poll
teal hari-kari? The people of Viz
ginia have permitted il To have com
troll in things political, not because
they have agreed with All it has
done, but because. in the main, it has
done the things which the people
wanted done The apparent submis-
sion of the people to rule by party
organization should not he miseon-
strucd to mean a passive acceptance
of everything which the organization
may think proper to impose upon
them. For several years there has
been no vital issue upon which there
was a sharp conflict of opinion, there
fare. the Ship of STATE has glided
along in smooth waters, but now 4
crisis has arisen.
Many people OF the State are utterly
opposed tn the liquor traffic, and have
made UP their minds to make an at
tempt to outlaw it, They are per-
teetly willing to absolve all political
parties from any responsibility In the
matter. and have gone To the General
Assembly with the very reagonab BILE
request that 1t should devise the ma
chinery by which the majority's viii
Oh this question may i've registered
at the polls. IT develops that the
Democratic organization is opposed 10
this program. Is It so short-sighted
as 20 imagine, because it does not
want this contest 70 aris.. that this
viii settle tho question Does it be-
ftepe that the people who are behind
the Anti-Saio0n League viii lie down
supincly and surrender their convic-
tons because the political powers
that be are opposed to me move
ment?
The prohibition forces come with
the very reasonable request that the,
be granted the right to vote, and
denial of this right VIII be con-
atrued by them to be u declaration
OF hostility on the part Of the Demo-
cratic organization OF the State.
The Strodc-Myers bill plves the
Democratic organization its oppor-
tunity to show that ii is willing to
act impartialiy Between the wet and
dry factions, and that it does not want
to assume the attitude vi Tavoring
either aide. The paesasc Of this bill
VIII relieve il Of Gil responsibility; the
refusal 10 pass it will norossarily con
Wet the organization Of attempting
~ impede the progress ~ the anti
liquor lat zion and align Ii with the
hauor interests of tho State.
should t!(is -tFaasPife. tho dry peo-
PIE az the state will of necessity have
10 take their reckoning aud. having
been denied the right ii vote on this
question. they will not re impressed
with the belief that thup can look
70 the Democratic ur2aat44tleH for
impartial treatment.
This organization has control of the
party election maohincry and, ii the
dry people Of the State are once con-
Vircoa that they will not be assured
= air and square deal, II takes little
preSeience TO see that the organization
of an Independent Democratic marty
viii become. necessity
Should these changes occur. the re-
sponsihility for them will rest upon
the present organization who will have
wiltui1y denied MS the reasonable
proposition to have this matter rclc-
gated to the people, thereby absolv-
ing all political parties and factions
from responsibility.
II "a political fight must come. In
order TO defend our cause. creating
divisions ench as have not been seen
IN virginia since the DAYS Of read
5usterism. 1t win be because the DON'T
nant element in the Democratic party
has driven us into opposition by will
fully deprsvtng as OF our rights as
voters To settle this question. IT has
been said, Whom the gods would
destroy they first make mad and If 4
does seem that such policy on the
part OF the Democratic Organization
would be the height Of unwfsdom. not
ia say folly s,,..ss,,. -ssi
Is II another example % power too
long enjoyed. superindncing an arro- /
ganec that becomes unmindful Of tho
source from which this power il de- |
prised There is absolutely no ca