Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-11-01
A Real Progressive
Is Woodrow Wilson
FOLLOWER OF LA TOILETTE Elk
PRESSES HIS VIEWS OF DEM
OCRATIC CANDIDATE.
SAYS HE CAN MEET THE DE-
MANDS PROPERLY MADE
UPON A PRESIDENT.


Gus and straightforward; he is able
and firm and sound of judgment, He
is patien tand open-minded. He is
thoroughly democratic in spirit He
recognizes that all of the people are
entitled to equal opportunities; and
he appreciates that the development
of all of the people is essential to
the fufillment of our American
ideals. He understands the dangers
incident to the control by few men
of our industries and of our finance.
He sees that true democracy and So
cial and Industrial justice are unat-
tainable, unless this power of the few
be curbed, and our democracy be-
comes industrial as well as political
He can meet the demands properly
made upon a present-day executive,
to lead in constructive craftsmanship,
as well as to administer efficiently
And his character, intellectual power,
and previous training fit E'm peculiar
ly to take an important part in pro-
gressive legislation.
In the progressive movement there
are three necessary periods, The
first is investigation; the second, asi-
tation; the third, legislation. They
are, in the main, successive periods,
but each overlaps the other to a GER
tain extent. The work Of investiga-
ton and of agitation have been large
ly performed. Men of insight have
discerned and disclosed the evils eX-
listing in our industrial, social and
political institutions; and the danger
to the common veal.
Eve of Victory Has Come.
Men of courage and of emotion, en-
dowed with the dramatic qualities of
the great preacher, have pierced even
that armor of SNUG complaisancy
with which prosperity is apt to en-
velop the heart and head. The SOM
nolent have been aroused; the indif-
ferent have been fired with enthus-
iasm; the tfmid have at last learned
to fear the evil more than they fear
the evil doer. The eve of victory
has come
A large majority of the American
people recognize that grave abuses
exist and are anxious to put an end
to them We pTogressives are now
sufficient in number to compel the
adoption of remedies. But the most
difficult task is before usLthat of de-
vising the appropriate remedies and
determining no they may be best
applied For this we need, as Pres
ident, a man with the qualities rather
of the constructive statesman, than OF
the warrior. We need a mind that
grows rather than leaps into things
progressive. We need deep sym
pathy for the common people, and
that absolute respect for them and
for the truth which made it impossi-
bic for Lincoln to attempt to deceive
men even for their own benefit.
Willingness and Capacity Needed.
We need in addition to the manly
virtues and a quick intelligence, that
student quality Of diligent, patient in
quiry; that true -mindedness,
which makes one willing to listen, as
well as to speak, and that calm, care
full. hard thinking which is essential
to sound judgment on legislation, by
which it is proposed to make impor-
tant changes in our political, indus
trial or political institutions. We
need the will to labor, as well as the
power to achieve.
These are the qualities essential to
safe and effective leader of the pro-
pressive movement in it's present.
stage; and these qualities Governor
Wilson possesses in a pre-eminent
degree. His longing for the attain
ment of democratic ideals, as well as
his ability to achieve, found express
sion in those well considered laws.
which, as Cornelius Ford, president
of the New Jersey Federation of
Labor. declared. obtained for the peo-
pie of New Jersey Gin the first 80
days Of his administration more bene-
| fetal legislation than had been passed
in the preceding nine years" His
democratic instinct made him re-
volt at the domination of wealth, even
when clohted in the refined and cul-
tured traditions of his own university,
And his strength and high purpose
were exhibited. when with calm de-
termination, he rose superior to the
! bosses, local and national,
Has Nothing to Explain.
| There is nothing in his present aftilia-
lions, or his past relations which re-
quires explanation or extenuation. He
would not resort to unworthy means
even to advance most worthy ends,
He was nominated by the pepole in
spite of the bosses and in spite OF
every effort of the vested interests
|
paign is being conducted so as to
avert the possibility of entangling al
liances. He stands now-and would
stand as President-pledged only to
the American people,
The progressive movement re-
quires, however for success not only
a leader, fut followers; and not only
followers at the polls, but co-opera-
tion in Congress. Progressive meas
ures cannot be enacted unless a ma
liority of the House and Senate are in
Iaccord with the President. AS Gov
lernor Wilson truly said:
politics now, at last, is intensely
practical and real. We cannot at
ford to wait another four years. the
processes of reform in this country
must take place within the next four
years. If the leader of the third
party is made President what will be
his situation? Does anybody sup
pose he will have third party Con
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