The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-10-31
"A Real oppressive
Is Woodrow Wilson
OF LA TOILETTE Ex-
PRESSES HIS VIEWS OF DEM
OcRATIc CANDIDATE.
SAYS HE CAN MEET THE DE-
MANDS PROPERLY MADE
UPON A PRESIDENT.

pressive President. He is courage
ous and straightforward he is able
and. firm and sound Of judgment. He
ifs 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 fulfillment of our American
ideals. He understands the dangers
incident to the control by a few men
of our industries and of our finance.
He sees that true democracy and So
Z 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 him peculiar
ly to take an important part in pro-
gressive legislation.
/ In the progressive movement there
! dlG bHi &C lCCCS0dl pCIlONSs 4 A0
first is investigation; the second, agi-
tation; the third, legislation They
are, in the main, successive periods,
]. but each overlaps the other to GER
| tain extent. The work of investiga-
ton and of agitation have been large
lily performed Men of insight have
discerned and disclosed the evils ex-
listing in our industrial, social and
political institutions; and the danger
T, to the common veal
Eve Of Victory Has Come.
Men of courage and of emotion, en-
dowed with the dramatic qualities Of
1.-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 eflthus-
iasnl; the timid 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 progressives are now
sufficient in number to compel the
adoption of remedies But the most
ldifficult task is before us--that 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
1.-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. I,
We need,s in addition to the manly
i virtues and quick intelligence, that
| student quality of diligent, patient in
quiry; that true open-mindedness,
which makes one willing to listen, as
| we'll as to speak, and that calm care
1 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
a safe and effective leader Of the pro-
pressive movement in it's present.
Istage; 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 sin the first 80
days of his administration more bene-
ficial legislation than had been passed
lin the preceding nine years His
democratic instinct made him re-
4 volt at the domination of wealth, even
when clohted in the refined and Gull
tured traditions of his own university.
And his strength and high purpose
i were exhibited, when with calm de-
! termination, he rose superior to the
bosses, local and national.
i Has Nothing to Explain.
There is nothing In his present affilia-
tons, or his past relations which re-
lquires explanation or extenuation. He
would not resort to unworthy means
T, even to advance most worthy ends.
! He was nominated by the pepole in
lspite of the bosses and in spite Of
IeVery eIIOfC OF the vested interests
to prevent his selection. His cam
paign is being conducted so as to
i avert the possibility of entangling al
4 liances. He stands now and would
island as President pledged only to
the American people.
4 The progressive movement re-
iquires, however, for success not only
!, a leader, fut followers; and not only
followers at the polls, but co-opera.
ton in Congress. Progressive meas
ures cannot be enacted unless ma.
ljority of the House and Senate are in
accord with the President AS Coy
lernor Wilson truly said:
Politics now, at last, is intensely
lpractical and real. We cannot af.
, 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
tparty is made President what win be
his situation? Does anybody sup
pose he will have third party Con
: gress behind him? 1t is not inevita
: BILE that in such an event there will
be in Congress such a mixture Of
~ -L- ~ - -