The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-07-04

intellect first of all, he Is at the same time
through and through a Democrat--a believer in
the people and firm uphoder of their rights.
II the genuineness Of his devotion to Democratic
principles and to Democratic ideals were open 10
doubt-which 1t Is not--one circumstance in his
would be sufficient 10 convince the most
skeptlcai. 1t is not only in these latter days.
when he has been an active participant in every
day politics that Woodrow Wilson has shown
where he stands in this matter AS presidfht
Of Princeton university lie did not hesitate 10
disturb the tranquility OF his academic lfe, 10
incur many enmities and shoulder much trouble,
by vigorous and determined effort to suppress
tendencies which were offensive to democratic
Ideals and to establish conditions in accordance
with his conception of the true American spirit:
1t Is not much to hope that the candidacy
Of Mr.. Wilson viii result in permanent set
back for machine politics the country over
Never has nomination been secured with se IT.
tie help from political machinery. Never has
chosen the head of IA great party in this
country more signaly embodied in his per-
son and career freedom from machine influences
and hostility to those who weld them. Inc
almost supersittious feeling which formerly pre-
vailed that boss rule and machine politics are
an inevitable part Of the American system has
in recent years been greatly weakened. but IL
the American experiment is not to end In failure
must get rid of 1t altogether, And tho To-
minaton and election of Woodrow Wilson VIII
be a great step forward that contamination.
The relation of the Wilson candidacy to that
of Mr.. Roosevelt forms one OF the most inter
esting aspects of the campaign upon which the
eaaHtTp - ahn'at-ts -erterIt- must he admitted
That upon many phases OF the question when
are bound with ttg-n name of Hoosefcft- MIR
Wilson's position has not as vet been clearly
defined; but 1t may be confidently expected that
In the course of the canvass q clear light viii
be thrown upon them by the various utterances
with which the Democratic candidate Will be
cure to illuminate the situation. In the mean
while there are two things upon which 1t Is
plain that the nominee of the Democratic party
and the prospective leader of the third party
movement are sharply differentiated No crude
remedy for judicial dehcienci es, endangering the
foundations of stable justice. will find eounte~
nance with Governor Wilson; nor VIII he light
hsur taf1Is 4ln nj md
nifty of the individual states in pursuit OF a
sudden dream OF omnipotent New National
ism And 1t may be further said that the leader
ship OF Wilson will point toward no embltter-
nent Of class antagonism. undermining Of
the distinctive qualities OF American citizenship.
That Democratic victory In November 10 NOR
ally certain is the general feeling Of all observers
today. What gives firm substance 10 this belief
is the fact that 1T is equally justified whether
assume that the Roosevelt party VIII be n
practical reality In the campaign that it viii
gradually fade out before the election. Indeed,
In the event that the Roosevelt vote should be
nonexistent negligible. the prospects Of MIR.
Taft would seem to be even darker than they
would be with Roosevelt strongly In the field.
For Il practically no votes 10 Roosevelt Il
vvery large proportion OF the Republican pro-
eressives. instead OF having their votes counted
Tor third and minor party, will help 10 swell
the Wilson numbers and thus be counted twice.
instead Of once against the Republican co..
With a candidate representing the highest
qualifications and backed by an enthusiastic
and powerful public sentiment throughout the
nation, the Democratic party will he permeated
with life It is face to face with the open
ing Of a great and honorable chapter in it's his
tory. And the people Of the United States can
look forward to having In the White House for
the next four years a man who will be
pletey devoted to the service of the nation and
who, while not hesitating at the most agrees
i've action necessary will, In his personal Dear
ing and In his public utterances, maintain the
highest traditions OF the dignity of the pres-
Dental offfce-Baltimore Sun