The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-08-02
To Senator Martin,

Leaders appointed to lead. You have
been appointed by your fellow Democrats OF
the Senate the party leader in that greatest OK
the worlds legislative bodies.
Now lead.
The honor done you is great. The position you
mold Is big and important enough to be worthy
or the best of the many statesmen Virginia has
produced great responsibility Is upon YOU
The people of the Commonwealth hope and be-
lieve you will stand the level of Virginian
statesmanship of the past, viii prove yourself
equal to the responsibility and wilhwAse the OPP
portunity. The crisis and the opportunity are
such as confront few men even In the highest
position, and hardly come to any man more
than once in lifetime. In your capacity of
party leader you can do more than any one man
to hold the Democrats of the Senate In the path
and to the policy decided by the party leaders
at the beginning of the present session of the
Congress. This was to support the Canadian
reciprocity treaty measure as 1t Is; to present
separately to the Senate and the President the
farmers free list and certain reductions in
the wool schedule Of the tariff; and to demand
a short session. This decision was wise when
1t was made and 1t is wise now. 1t IL patriot
ISM, statesmanship and good politics. long
drawn session with months of dreary tariff de-
bates and nothing done would cost the country
millions Of dollars uselessly 1t would weary
and disgust the people and keep business UNI
easy and languid.
If the Democrats allow themselves to be stam-
peded, disorganized and confused by the sudden
insurgent bolt, they will justify General Grants
old sneer, so long source of confidence to their
opponents, that they could be depended on al
ways to make id fools of themselves at the
"a
the Republican boast that the Democratic par
ty Is tho party of inaction and ncapaeity. They
viii destroy the fast growing faith of the coun-
try in the party's ability to do things, to achieve
results and to follow definite course.
| Senator Martin. believe If you will assert
yourself and use your power as leader. you can
prevent disaster to your party and injury to the
country. ON behalf of the people of Virginia
we call you to be true to the trust committed
to you by your associates and by the traditions
Of your State and to give Virginians cause to be
very proud of you.
/ Never mind, Senator Martin, about this little
fretful, hair splitting carping and scolding 60
ing here at home regarding your tariff votes
twelve years ago and ten years ago. The people
of Virginia are giving il no attention. They see
In It much of the flavor of bitterness and no sug-
gestion of common sense. They understand all
/ that. They know that while the Republicans
were in power all the Democrats of either house
could do with tariff measures to do the best
they could to protect their own constituents and
sections against injury and unfair dscrimtna-
! tion. Tho people approve the man who voted
TO protect the interests rather than to establish
| for himself a theoretical record of consistency.
useful but himself. They viii attend to
that when the time comes They will see that
you protected from rear attack Senator
Martin while you are leading the party forward
Go on. Lead. Work and vote with the Stand
Pat Republicans. II necessary, to make the reel
procity treaty safe and to save It from being
burdened to death with tariff amendments. Let
the records prove that the Democratic senators
stood for the treaty and short session and
moderate and practical tariff revision The peo-
| pie of the entire country VIII approve and en-
may do.
! Lead Leader Martin. And lead like a Vir-
ginian senator. The people OF Virginia Will stand
by you. The country will thank you. The party
like the old time. strong, broad and fearless vir-
ginia leaders