The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-07-18
THURSDAY. JULY Is, 1912.
THE FLAG. NOT THE INDIVIDUAL


eharac;er OF the Interview had between Oscar
lEderwood and Governor Woodrow Wilson at
Sea Grit From me statements Of both men,
!. seems clear taat their understanding OF each
ether is perfect trJer conference, Governor
u ason said.
Singular IRA rbEeSs and opeuness and charm
aboat hl4u I don't KNOW any man have met
h q long time that have taken such fancy
To- We had dae talk. he and Just gong
over the whole situation in a most satisfactory
way realfx Just IKE TWO men who had always
known each other
when Underwood was interviewed, he sa3d
that thev had discussed the entire situation
the campaign the legislation before he House,
Incidentally discussing their mutual Alma
Mafsr The University of Virginia, and coming
10 Mr. Under woods unqualified promise OF sup
port az the nominee, Speaking for himself.
Mr.. Underwood declared OF the Democratic
platform that # is q clear, forcefui and strong
expression Of Democratic principles" and, con
timing said
think the principal issue THE campaign Is
borrs 10 h. the tariff or course there are
otner issues Of more or less Importance, but
he leading issue before the people Is the ques-
tiou as to whether they want to maintain the
whether they want to revise the tariff down
xart. I believe moot Of the evils that exist
fn the country today that are being complained
af grew out Of the protective farin system ana
that the prohfbitive duties must be removed
before we can get any real relief both from the
high cost Of living and from many other evils
that are complained OF today.
think that Governor Wilson IS great
f~ader OF men / do not have any doubt in
my mind that he rs going TO be elected Presi-
dert OF thee United States. believe that his
adrnfristration win live up to every promise OF
1fs7sS irE he
cratic party more, united and In better position
for victory than it is today. On the other
hand, / never saw tina Republican party more
denoranzed. and think that our opponents
sven feel themselves that they are on losing
ground
What Underwood Gays on such occasion.
Immediately after interview ana consultation
with his successful opponent must necessarily
be taken as rejecting the sentiment of the
nominee. That sentiment is entirely in accord
with the feeling OF the MISS OF the real pro-
gressives. who have not been taken OF their
test by this and that trumped- up schism against
the established order in aid OF sensation. AS
we have tried to point out and insist through
ont a much confused campaign IN both parties,
about four-thirds Of the talk for this candidate
and against the other has had the consist ency
Of wind When the situation Is analysed it
will be seen that there Ia really no political
new talk" At bottom Lies the question of a
high tariff or a tariff having as its ideal the
production Of the necessary revenues. Most
If the rest is moonshine OF one sort or another.
since a reform OF the tariff system involves the
reform of hundred and other abuses.
each one Of which. at call can be made cam
pafgn issue-that u.s. an issue to influence the
candidacy OF particular candidate for the
nomination. When the lines are drawn, how
ever Il becomes increasingly clear that the cam
Yzfga of, 2s& is ssn his s@aEat @at along praets~
caliy the same line as those followed IN the last
successful Democratic fight, which was, il may
he recalled twenty years ago, What was good
then is even better now, after nearly gener-
alton passed in avoiding the one real economic
alignment which separates partes,-when they
are honest--in this country. There are other
things of course. that OF vital importance;
but when the false has been sifted from the
true il will be found that the corn in the bowl
n the issue on the tariff No more significant
thing could have happened. on the very eve of
the campaign than the harmonious agreement
to this effect between the nominee Of the party
and the party's floor leader in the House of
Representatives.
Considering the fact that the tariff has been
tile real issue at stake since the mpaign
opened We have never understood exactly how
and why Underwood fixed with the damn
ing reputation OF conservatism" with which
he had to struggle Since he was fixed the
possibility Of his nomination vanished when
Taft was nominated al Chicago, but it is good
to know that Wilson approves OF him, and It
worth while for the Democracy TO take as a
slogan during the next three and half months
his terse statement with respect TO his own
candidacy:
When We pulled down banners there ere
ro sore spots left We fight for "a flag An
Individual is only Instance
Whatever the future Of Oscar Underwood
he deserves of the Democracy the credit Of
having voiced. at the proper time the true SEN
timent which the turmoil has made it SO easy
10 forget.