The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-12-30

President-Elect Wilson not only succeeds
President Taft as chief magistrate OF this coun-
try, but succeeds him as the great harmonizer
Of all cur hearts" and as he gives promise
Of performing the duties OF his political Office
better than 1t has been performed In recent
years. he also inspires In us the conviction
that his other task will be performed no less
successfully.
Governor Wilson expresses the hope that his
administration may mean the final oolitera-
ton of sectional differences and we believe
that wish will be fulfilled We believe that
when he retires to private life he will have
played q great part In making this indeed
country OF no arbitrary divisions, but one In
heart and one In purpose, and that purpose
the greatest good for the greatest number OF
the peoples OF this union of States. The greet
significance of that meeting in stanton be-
tween Woodrow Wilson and the people Of
Southern State between an emissary OF the ma
ton and the people of the South. was we'll
expressed by the distinguished visitor.
But Mr.. Wilson did not content himself with
expressions OF sentiments Of peace and good
will He early let 1t be known that there lis
a fight ahead It was mere sentimental wish
for harmony, as laudable that wish may
be, that inspired him. He is working for the
oblteration of sectional lines, not an end
in Itself, though that is end that lesser
man might strive for. but means TO an
end. He wants sectional feeling wiped away
SO that his administration may work for the
good OF all. He wants men to lay aside old
prejudices SO that those OF the North and the
South. the East ana the West may work all
az the members OF one army with a common
purpose, He wants no lines OF cleavage, no
chickering's. no sectional jealousies so that leg
islation for the people, and not legislation
for sections may be the fruit OF his admins
tration. He said 1t for himself when he said
that a great many men have legislated for
sections rather than for the nation, and he
let NO one doubt that while he wants har-
mony he wants harmony within the ranks of
those having in view his purposes and the pur-
poses OF the platform upon which he entered
into Office that he may the better and more
effectively wage war against those who seek
10 block legislation to that end
Governor Wilson is a student of history. He
knows the record OF sectional legislation on
the tariff and we believe he had this in mind
when he spoke. He knows that danger exists
in the determination OF some members of his
own party to get what they can for their Sec
tons. Only few days ago Senator Elect Shat
froth, of Colorado. declared. in effect. that
when the interests of Colorado and OF the
tion conficted he would stand by his State.
That has been a too common view OF the
question In the past. and while there was ex-
rise. If not justification, for the attitude under
the administration OF a party having FOR its
avowed purpose high tariff the time has come
for break away. Southern congressman and
senators may have been justified in working
fer protection on the products of their COM
munities when other communities were being
protected Under the Republican theory OF
The import tax tariff revision has been scram-
bic for special favors not only for industries,
but for sections. and IL was time for the
representative of any section to hang back and
allow others to secure the richest prizes When
Senator Tiilman declared that n there was to