The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-07-27
RECIPROClTY---AT LAST

The long, weary strain OF tue
reciprocity fight In congress Is at
last ended, and ended as had Deeh
foreseen. When the final vote came
I'm the senate. the measure was
adopted by an overwhelming major
ity. Reciprocity was the pet, ana
special measure of the Republican
president and his administration; but
the victory was a Democratic VIC
tory. a victory made possible to a
party happily united by wise and ju-
dicious leadership in both houses
OF congress. The long and we'll
nigh unbrOken line of party blund-
ers and mistakes has at least been
brought to an end. At least the
Democrats have been able to give
the lie 10 the Republican sheer that
whatever their own dissensions and
party differences and dangers might
be. they could always rely upon
the Democrats to make fools OF
themselves. rnhappily, this has
long been too true. We have MADE
most eercgious asses of ours lives Tor
many years. and for many years, in
national affairs. the ass has been
fitting emblem OF our party ana
party management But during this
extra session the party has rehab-
ituateA itself in the eyes of the
country: il has indicated its eNis-
tence. and demonstrated is capac-
ity 10 lcgislaic and to pursue fix
ga policy with wisdom and sustained
energy The Democrats are in the
saddle. but il is the Southern Dem
ocrats who ride in front and who
hold the reins and guide the course.
/ nd rwood. of Alabama, led the
parry forces in the house. closed
mp his ranks and adopted and push
ed through to conclusion the re-
ciprOciiy program He also led the
aioDtioa of other measur, notably
the reVi ion of the wooden schedule
with skill and success. In the
house the Democrats were in the
majority and tn decree of their
caucus WIS law
\ mor. difficu't ami comp icated
problem was presented to the DEM
Ocrals i'm the senate. and NOR
difficult task was for their lesdc~
senator Martin. of Virginia Ap
parcntly.it was a thaukitss and well
nigh hopeless task 20 which be- Was
called. to-wit. TO accomplish some
thiug material with divided and
moralized minority. How well
and with what mastery skill and eX
traOrdinary success he has acquitted
himself OF the difficult task set for
him. is a matter of public record
He united his ranks. and. with the
exception Of Bailey. of Texas. who
agrees with nothing much except
standard Oil: and Simmons.of North
Carolina, who apparently realizes
that ne is riding for fall." and
therefore has nothing To hope or to
T ar. the parry in the senate closed
mp its ranks adopted line of policy
and proc eded with loyal good sense
20 follow their leader to victory.
The discussions and ditiicultie.
90 the publican ranks in the :, n
atc were skilfully taken advantage
of. and. by holding their own ranks
together and promptly awaiting
themselves OF the quarrels and mis-
tax OF their party advisers. they
had the good fortune 10 carry
through the party program. 50 far
as reciprocity was concerned. as il
came from the nous The Dem
Ocrafs in the senate have Us yet
made no mis- axes. and lost no point
They have won a memorable victory
La' them make no mistakes now
and above all. be in no wise de-
ceived or misle1 by the insurgents
Whatever may be the fate OF tariff
revision. let them put no faith in
insurgent substitutes. and ace pi
no diet2tious from insurgcn; leaders
The Democrats in both the ssnat,
aud the house have deserved n OF
The country and their leaders hav,
earned the gratitude of the party
and the pahlic Richmond News
Leader