The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-05-13
DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLE"

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A correspondent writes feelingly to ask
why, in case Roosevelt is nominated, a pro-
gressiye of the type of Champ Clark or Wood
row Wilson should be refused the Democratic
nominations Would not that be a reputation
of the great Democratic principles so long ad-
coated through so many dscouraging cam
paigns, but which by the persistent efforts of
the great masses guided by such peerless lead
ers as Bryan, Clark, Wilson, and Tillman are
already within our grasp"
We can only reply to such question by
asking other ones. What are the great Dem
Iocratc principles? Our correspondent refers
10 Henry Clay and bis rather be right than
President What would Clay have thought of
the initiative and referendum Did Andrew
Jackson ever get the idea of free silver?
What would Thomas Jefferson have thought of
government ownership of railroads? Another
thing: what were The great Democratic prnci-
ple'' on the last occasion when success at the
polls crowned Democratic effort? Have they
ever, in fact been anything other than the
grandly simple ideals included in the idea of
( 'oA
as free as possible to manage their local affairs
in according to each man the greatest possible
measure of personal liberty consistent with So
lcial safety, and In administering the govern
ment efficiently, and with economy? Grover
Cleveland concededly the champion of
Democratic principle" He was, at any rate
twice elected that assumption. Ii there is
! htuer Ten, rs Nv prvo, ns
Champ Clark, or of Woodrow Wilson which
reflects the teachings of Cleveland, the gentle
men named are keeping the fact very quiet
We do not undertake to say that initiative
and referendum for instance. will not some
day become Democratic principle" If they
shall come to represent majority opinion in the
country, although We do not now consider
them. Despite MIR. Bryans campaigns and the
wild enthusiasm which resulted~in the creation
of millions of poverty striker financiers,
/ it will be hard to find man now who will So
rously declare that the free and unlimited
coinage" etc. etc, was ever in any Fundamental
sense Democratic article of faith No, we
have had in this country variety Of political
fashions, but changes in party headseat no
more mean shift. in party character than
spring styles in trousers mean shortening of
the legs that are pulled in their purchase. -
/ In the present political case. the simple and
unauthorized truth is. that If Roosevelt is NOM
mated he can safely count carrying the bulk
of the radical element in the nation. Yet our
correspondent and the many who think with
him will scarcely go so far as to claim that he
is the possessor OF the muchly interpreted
Democratic principle" There may or may not
be majority OF voters in the country OF rad
lical bent. But ii is quite certain that. with
nowhere for the conservative element to co. a
leaving of the issue to the radicals would sim
ply result in the soaring of ct. r. in the hide
of the country as fraud Of ownership. 1t be-
ing quite possible that there is some Demo-
cratic principle" left in some of the candidates
OF q soherer type, ought not the nomination
of Roosevelt materially influence the Democ-
racy's choice of his opponent?