Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1910-11-18


The Baltimore Sun, in its leading
editorial last Saturday after pointing
out the problems which the democrats
IN Congress will be called upoa q fade,
and the responsibilities put upoa them
by the recent political upheaval, sug-
gests that q conference of democrats
be held in Baltimore, preferably in
December, but not later than Janu-
ary, to take into consideration the
state of the union and to lay pans on
democratic lines for lettering the con-
dition of the people.
"a plan for immediate aggressive
action should be agreed upon,n says
The Sun, s'and TO this end the leaders
of the party from all sections Of the
country should oe called together in
conference at an early day to discuss
IN calm and conservative way q pro-
gram for action along those lines that
>eem best for the country and, Incl
dentally, for the party; for the party's
future success will come from doing
good for the country. This conference
should embrace not only members and
mem beIs-elect of Congress, but wise,
conservative democrats from all Sec
lions, whose leadership Is valued be-
cause of the know n soundness of their
political views and the unimpeachable
quality OF their patriotism"
"The dem 1cratic partyqmust rise to
ne occasion, or lose its opportunity for
further success in -912. Let the party
eaders assemble in Baltimore and
map out q plan of campaign that will
redeem the party's pledges and estab-
ish it firmly in national confidence.
The suggestion is an eminently wise
and practical one. There ought to be
a conference of the leaders Of the party,
in Congress and out, and a plan for
harmonious action determined upon.
This is no time for chickering's, for pull
ing apart because of differences of
opinion, for the pressing Of personal
ambitions. If the party leaders get
together, put the welfare Of country
and OF party above individual hopes
and preferences; if they meet in the
proper spirit and honestly strive for
results and harmonious action, they
will get them in abundant measure.
A definite plan of action should be de-
termined upon. and that should be
pressed, without faltering or straying
from the straight line, to the end. IN
that way only will success be won.
Remember Mr.. Taft's prophecy after
The landslide in 1904 that swept MI.
Roosevelt into the presidency:
1.-THE danger in the case of such q
victory is that 1t may lead to q relaxa-
ion OF self-restraint. It Is no unheard
OF thing to have majority as large
and sweeping as this followed by . de-
eat equally emphatic at the next pres
.dential election, and it should be, as !
have no doubt 1t will be, the aim, both
OF the executive administration and
he republican majority in the leglsla-
tive branch of the 20. ernment, so 10
shape the policies to be pursued rs to
continue to deserve the approval of
the country IN subsequent elections"
The republicans needed not the voice
OF their prophet and they are paying
the penalty. Let the democrats take
counsel, one with another, and avoid
the fate of their opponents. Let the
party's reputation for being q house
divided against itself be lived down,
and let all work to q definite end
that end to be the good of the whole
people. Only in that way will the
party deserve or win success hereafter.
1t ia on trial now, and the country is
watching.