The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-10-18
CURRENT COMMENT
Not Won Yet.


AS some one has APPLY said, the Democrats
always win In October and lose in November.
The remark Is recalled now at the moment of
Democratic confidence in the election of Will
Every sign points to Democratic success. II
the election were held today Wilson no doubt
would win handsomely. but much may happen
between now and November 5th, much
heretofore has happened during the past four
weeks of the campaign
Roosevelt undoubtedly is in the running. In
deed, until the last two weeks he was making
steady gains. Apparently he has developed
the maximum of his popularity. But 1t will be
remembered that when he entered the CAM
paign for the Republican nomination he made
dashing start. then he Jagged and 1t seemed
that Taft had the race in walk but presently
Roosevelt took a fresh squirt and at the close
he was but few votes short of a ma iority.
If his friends had controlled the national COM
mttee he would have been Nominated.
The day before the PENNSYLVANIA primaries
Roosevelt appeared to be as far from the Re
publican nomination he now appears to be
from election to the presidency
There is no counting upon the resources Of
this remarkable man-n many respects the
most remarkable in our history. There is no
counting upon the action of the American cleo
torate in these whimsical times
President TAFT, though apparently defeated,
has a quiet following that will count heavily
IN the voting. 1t seems impossible that he
can be elected, but 1t is by no means certain
that he may not keep enough of the conser-
vati%e vote away from Wilson to prevents Demo-
cratic success in several doubtful States. 1t
must be remembered that both Wilson and
Roosevelt appealing to the progressive
vote.
out of such a situation may be evolved
default In the electoral college In such event
the chances still would favor Wilson, but, for
reasons heretofore shown. the outcome in con-
gress would be intentionally uncertain
But Wilson's election by scratch might ul-
tilnateiy prove Il calamity.
If Roosevelt should run ii good second
which now seems assured-the Republican
party IN. all probability Will go the way VT the.
ola WING party. 1t might observe the for
mality of another presidential nomination but
meanwhile Roosevelt would be an outstanding
figure for four years The Democratic party
necessarily will disappoint some expectations
tsrd suffer sonTe losses Tariff reductions witt
De slight whatever we may hope az the final
achievement. and eXpnses OF living will not te
rtdhtel TO such an extent as To command the
appreciation of the needless. AS a CONSEQUENCE.
many who now look selfshly to the Democratic
party VIII turn to another party exaggerating
democratic shortcomings and promising Greater
Things for the people--and we know that
Roosevelt il past master in that art The
democratic party Will receive a substantial ac-
erection from the dissolving Republican PARTY
and party expectancy will persuade Democrats
leaders to assume conservative attitude In
ordsr TO retain thar aceretion, In short. such
development would make the Democratic
party the conservative party and would drive
all the radicals to Roosevelt who liz Young
enough vigorous enough and ambitious enough
TO come again. Under such circumstances he
would come with tremendous force and II he
! should succeed he would give free play to the
utmost reach Of his daring mind
Roosevelt not Taft, is the opponent to be
feared. and the peril will not pass If he is nor
overwhelmingly defeated
This brief review of the situation is made II.
ORDER 10 remind Texas Democrats OF a duty thex
are neglecting. Governor Wilson is ma king ai,
eSfefteht can~atgn and the party leaders are
doing all that leaders can do But there ia -
SAD shortage of financial support
Inc Democratic party means the peonla's
raIe, eut me people cannot rule IL the peoples
candidate Is denied the means of making
campaign, lie should not and will not accept
contributions from men and interests that ~
poet governmental favors; he must rely upon
the Democratic masses and the Den1ocrati,
| masses are not responding as they should
The national committee needs close TO 4
million dollars. not to buy votes but to combat
the sweep of Roosevets tremendous per-
sonallty. '
If Wilson Is defeated it will be for lack Of
money to conduct thorough ca tnpafgn and tho
didates leaders. Ian
60. VIII do no good to roll up the usual
brutal majority" in the solid South and LEI Tar
and Roosevelt divide the doubtful States
u And dollar subscriptions are not enough
ihey count up too slowly; they cost too much
to get '''''''
There are thousand Democrats in TEXAS
VINO could give hundred dollars each and
not miss IT, There are five thousand who could
give fifty dollars each The total subscrintions
from Texas to date less than ten Thousand
dollars The committee needs money now n
has contracted obligations twice the amount Of
It's receipts. -
iexas Democrats have no state battle to
ngnt, and the least they can do is to contribute
their money to the contest in other States
1t would be objectionable party neglect IN
lose the election for lack of modest cam
paiRn fund. ~
Texas potential in the nouipa+io, r.
wilson and should be potential in his ele,-
ton, but her efforts so far have fallen far
short of her obligation
Let every man who believes in the princinles
or the party and who realizes the present on
portunity understand that If Wilson L. not
ha dina >.
reason that party men were unwilling to give
of their substance-Fort Worth fTex) Record