The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-07-09
\ MASTERPIECES OF AMBIGUITY.

"
The call to the convention of the third politi-
cal party, to meet in Chicago on August I,
although given out by Senator Dixon. has its
authorship indeiihly stamped on its face in
its every ambiguous phrase
TO the people of the United States" it
terences. who. through repeated betrayals. real
I've that today the power of the crooked politi-
cal bosses and OF the privileged classes behind
them etc, etc. the call is issued To the
people who, this that and the other thing,
to the contrary Notwithstanding, are ready
worship, etc etc. To all -
Who believe that only through the movement
propoaed can we obtain in the nation and the
several States the legislation demanded 10y the
modern Industrial evolution, Legislation which
shall favor honest business and yet control the
great agencies OF modern business SO as 10 in
sure their being used in the interest OF the
whole people. legislation which shall promote
prosperity and ST the same time secure the
better and more equitable diffusion Of pros
perity: legislation which shall promote the econ
omc we'll being OF the honest farmer, wage
worker professional man and business
alike nut which shHtf At the same time strike
in efficient fashion-and not merely pretend
TO s,rike-at the roots OF privilege In the world
of industry no less than IN the world OF poH-
tics.
Who believe that only this type Of wise indus
trial evolution will avert industrial revolution.
who believe that wholesome party govern
rnant can come only IL there is wholesome party
management in a spirit Of service to the whole
country and who hold that the command
nent delivered at Sinai Thou shalt not steal,
applies to politics as well as to business.
Only one mind could have conceived. one
pen have drafted thing that sounds we'll
and means so little. Under its broad and
sweeping terms all humanity could gather
either in sincerity or in pretense; for the
good are acutely conscious OF the fact and
even the wicked pretend to be good. Thou
shalt not steal" comes with unctuous feryor
even from the lips of one plotting to puriotn
an empire
This however as exact age, and the people
are coming to demand exact statements. Il
was not for nothing that the twenty-five or
more definite paragraphs went into the Demo
cratic platform in the tariff plank. Many have
not yet read the platform but surprising
number OF people are slowly absorbing il, and
a still larger number will read II before No
yember arrives. All the agitation and general
charges and perfervtd oratory have at least had
the effect of convincing the country that some.
+ thing is the matter. The voters are going TO
and out what It is. or they will know the
reason why.
4 There was a time when Roosevelt could
shout "r anu for the little when he Is
honest and against the big man when he is
a crook; / am against the little man when he
ia crooked and for the big when he Is
straight and get the enthusiastic ear OF the
country We all fe1t that way about It, and,
SO feeling we're impressed with the fact that
the man who uttered our sentiments must be
both genius and deliverer But that time OF
easy faith has gone. The big crooks are en-
tirely too complacent under the Roosevelt fire
The tariff interests too confident The
trust interests are too prodgal in their aid
Above all, 1t is all too much matter OF surface
obserya alton that the call" that is to save the
country has its genesis IN determination to
save the vanity OF IN whom success;
has planted the inability 10 realize that his
shadow across the world does NOT measure
the span OF his stride,