The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-14
WOODROW WILSON'S PLEA.

WOODROW WILSON'S PLEA.
Woodrow Wilson made remark
able speech TO the National League Of
Democratic Clubs III indianapolis yes
cratic party ito state It's cree1 III
the concrete and define Clearly the
especial form OF privilege 1t declares
against In q general campaign for the
rights of the people" That, ut any
rate, is what the Associated Press says
1t was about and we agree. so far as
we can make IL out, with everything
he said. 1, could not have been better
said nobody can say things half so
effectively as Governor Wilson; but we
really DO not see that he has made
the situation much clearer by his
principles OF Jefferson TO the policies
OF the present day and time. The
party is now. as It was in Jenerson's
time. "a. party OF movement, OF read
5ustment, q party that presses toward
the future witt, unshaken faith" Tha,
Y,
is why it was established and how II
has been perpetuated yet 1t is the
same now that 1t was when Jefferson
founded 1t upon impregnable truth.
Here are some choice bits from what
the School fletcher said 10 the Demo
Gratis yesterday.
"Democracy is not mere theory Of
q. n pS-@,- 7,
dwelling in the rank and file. inter-
preted once and again by great lead
ers but not confined to their private
cult and understanding. It's blood is
the nlooo Of the people. Its purposes
are the purposes shared by all man
kind It's hopes are the hopes OF ali
rational civilization
we must state our creed in the con.
crete, not in the abstract Our
lhoue:ss run back, OF course, TO the
great Declaration OF Independence
which Jefferson gave us, but we cannot
stop with that IT is an a,,,i
nently practical document. meant for
me use OF practical men; not a thesis;
1or philosop hers, but a whin fo,
5yrants; not theory of government.
o"i q programme OF action
There was a good deal more of the
So me striking sort in the school Teach-
efs sneech; and nothing better than
what he said in denunciation Of Inc
powers OF the interests" in dominat-
inE the legislation OF the country and
coh'rcilng the administration OF its
aHaiTs. There was nothing new in
al that as we have all been trvinq 10
save the country for the people. There
must be open debate OF all questions
OF legislation, and there has been. as
/. the Conversational Record and all ,ha
Y newspapers in the land show. That
'hoasands OF mistakes have been mace
N legislation and administration M
one will deny; but the lawmakers ana
ihe administrators Of the law have all
been selected by the people. This is
9 popular government, and shan never
Perish froir'. fhe earth.
The paople have not always hecn
: fortunate in the choice of their rcpro-
& sentatives. but they have the remedy in
] their own hands. They could not do
better iceislating In groups among
/ themselves and win the nccessarilv
neighborhood view they would take Of
Z questions affecting the Interests
Of . great nation than their
f representatives ought 10 be nble
80 do With all the Neld before
them for observation and control. Ne
tnnst get down to tie concrete, GER
tainly. but what Is the concrete? We
must follow the principles of Jefferson
rs illuminated 10y Wilson ana Win the
great GDyarnOr or Ncv. Jor.., Il