The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-20
rnE srHINX.s nInnLE.

the charms OF life In a democracy of
cation of historic precedent. actual
data OF the moment. sociolog zeal
analysis OF public sentiment. or care
tul consideration OF the records and
personalities of the aspirants, can
reason achieve foresight enough to
make any certain prediction In this
matter. The staggering fact IS evil
dent that no individual or collective
wisdom In the land is capable of seix-
ing upon the basic convictions and
prejudices of the massed consciousness
of 100000 voters and sorting them
Into o mathematical formula that Will
give an answer. Tho United states
as an experiment in democracy has
reached that amazing status where the
fundamental instinct of the people in
bulk is going to act in what might
be called n sub conscious way to set
&c the next step in our destiny. The
people. who are much derided, or laud-
I'd. or neglected, who are talked about
and appealed to and by the politicians
often looked upon as fools. are In
some way about to voice the spirit
that moves In them, mysteriously and
fun of portent.
This is reflection. full OF grave
majesty. that inspires in true sense
a feeling OF awe. And this is the
reason that all prophets and states
l.;
OF light here and there on parts OF
the whole question. The issue can
not be defined or reduced TO rule any
more lthan the vital essence of u
single mans life can be defined. For
modern society has taken on the form
OF complex and organized life. It
has emotions. convictions, desires and
motives, SO deep and so universal that
they have become too big for the in
tellectual grasp of the broadost and
most penetrating minds.
Whether men desire it or not, they
are thrust upon the fact that faith In
the people is the only faith possible
The thing has gotten too large TO be
guided or directed in any other way
than by the slow process of education
and spiritual growth. No food Of
speech-makins. no wldc-cast sowing
of campaign documents, no persuasion
OF machine patronage. no hot-headed
Vitupe.at!on or understanding. can
check the tremendous processes that
by almost geologic action mold the
dynamic will of the people who do
constitute the body polite. The
chaotic conditions al present existing
In national politics are certainly un-
precedented. because never before has
this organic structure. with instincts
acting in mass. been in being. Here
tofore there has always been n de-
fined standS~d of..practical nature Inv
which the popular mind has been in
fluenced. and by which it's decisions
could be foretold. The silver issue.
the tariff issue tho political pur.0.
cation issue have offered tangible SEN
timents. upon which the consciousness
OF the nation reacted through the ma
ehinery given it. in a manner more
or less Ineligible
But the paramount issue TODAY
whatever parties or theorists may saw
is that the people of America desire
an easier, loftier. finer kind Of ufc
They desire TO nnd the economic basis
for such life. and they seek tho
vision that goes beyond economies
And in what human and partisan form
this instinct win take shape is lbs
the nature of tho aim indennablc. fl
is beyond politicians because they ar,
materiaiists; it IS beyond theorists. be.
cause the American people arc emf.
nently practical. But it is not be.
You'd the wisdom Of the people t,
stumble and toll nearer TO the goa
because In them dwells the faith AN,
the determination Of living soul.