The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-08-31
SAVE THIS NAN.


We think that the entire country will regret
the determination of Colonel James Gordon, of
Mississippi, to stand for the United States Sen
ate. Colonel Gordon came to Washington as the
recipient of an honor rendered him by the Gov
ernor of his State in recognition of qualities
with which the country is now well acquainted.
He is not, and never has been "a politician. His
vogue, in fact, arose from just this fact. Now
that he is essaying politics, he is in danger of
reaping both disillusion and bitterness.
Colonel Gordon temporarily in Washington,
brought TO the capital of the nation freshness
and simplicity of nature that won an instant
countrywide response. The speech that he mado
IN farewell 10 the Senate was great simply be-
cause it was unstudied. 1t was one of those
successes impossible to design. 1t spoke the
heart of a fine, brave, simple old man, as en-
genuously and directly as boy might express
his affection. In the Senate the effect of such
declaration was nothing less than startling
The Senate needed to have its emotions moved
1t needed to learn that there was something
tangible in the patriotism that it had come to
regard as nothing more than the pat phrase of
oratory. 1t needed the occasional lesson which
the country at large now and again receives
that office, no more than raiment, does not make
the man. Old Colonel Gordon, looking happily
about the dignhed Senate as he might have
gazed into the faces of his friends aud neighbors
at home, spoke with the unconscious eloquence of
SIMPLE goodness. The next day he was famous.
Without realizing what he was doing he had
played the master stroke. In the direct and
earnest quality of his humanity, he surprised
and charmed country that he shamed by the
revelation of himself. Speaking the ordinary
virtues that false difhdence covers up and re-
presses, the temporary gentleman from Missis-
sppi disclosed TO the country its inner heart. And
as is always the case, the country gave to his
speech the response that human nature always
makes 10 simple beauty and unaffected truth.
How pitlful it is for man with record like
this to seek in old age to turn to account an ac-
cidental, if merited success. What a SCATTERING
of an ideal will there be found in campaign in
which he will attempt to capitalize virtues which
are OF worth only so long as they are free. And
what tragedy in the misconception by the man
himself of the causes underlying the sudden
honor into which he sprang. Is it possible that
Colonel Gordon, reading and re-reading what he
spoke with such delicious disregard of form and
precedent, has concluded that the country cheered
the speech, rather than the man. Does pitt
awe CoHCslI lcau ulu 10 conclude tndt ne Is the
possossot Of oratory. Does he think that politics
has room for sentiment and does he delude him
self into thinking that sentiment can be forced {?
Of course, all the chances indicate that they will
beat Colonel Gordon in his own State He will
realize bitterly the difference between respect for
man out Of politics and the lack of respect for
ono IN politics. His dream will be shattered all
the more painfully on account of the brightness
of its Illusion. But it would be even sadder
should he return to the Senate In that event
even the one speech would be forgotten, except as
1t would serve to bolster the claim that nothing is
real, that nothing is disinterested, that nothing
IS true. In the Senate again. Colonel Gordon
would speedily become nuisance. He would be
made the butt of jokes only to be forced aside
when the jest wore itself out. He would remain
in callous company the wreck of fine sentiment
turned to sentimentality. From a frst-class gen
tleman he would become a fourthrate politician.
We sincerely trust that Colonel Gordon will
remain at home. He viii be hurt in any event.
1t will hurt him least to learn his lesson from the
people who know him best.
SPARROW AND SCALE