The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-27
GOVERNOR WILSON'S POLITICAL
OPINIONS,

pics at this time a larger place In the
thoughts OF his fellow countrymen
than Woodrow Wilson. an instinct
for self preservation has led thought
ful men everywhere to look for 81
guide and leader who will steer the
course of this nation through the
changes that lie before 1t. By train
inE. by inheritance. by the endowment
of great natural gifts, By the equip
nent of profound mastery OF the basic
principles of politics, by. wonderful
power FOR clear thought and lucid cx-
preston. by personal courage and by
hgh integrity Governor Wilson has
focused on himself the attentions and
the hopes of men that differ as widely
as Colonel Harvcy. who now sits
silent. and William jennings Bryan,
who rises up to praise him with 3
loud voice.
But II was not always thus A few
months ago Colonel Harvey, 1t seems,
was still the accepted. though not al
aogether desired, protagonist III cam
paign for tho nomination of a gentle
man who a few years before had de-
sired TO see Mr. Bryan knocked Into
cooked hat" To-day Mr., Bryan
comes forward and declares that
Woodrow Wilson Is fortunate in hay
ing lost the support of Colonel Harvey
and Harper's Weekly. because such
support naturally aroused suspicion as
10 the sincerity OF one or the other"
But. why should a dIspassionate public
sec any more ground for suspicion in
the breach with Harvey than in the
alliance with Bryan? AT the Jackson
Day banquet, Governor Wilson said OF
Dir. Bryan: lie is the one man whose
broadcned mind has been able to see
what is the matter and TO point il out
to the public" TO which OF MIR.
Bryans glimpses did Governor Wilson
refer? And wherein has M. Bryans
mind hroadened, except !: be in an
amlH BILE forgiveness for one who de-
sired to see him knocked into II cock d
hat?
Mr.. Bryan has renounccd none of his
them. Free silver. government owner
ship OF railroads. neutrality-suspicious.,
bank guarantees. attacks on the
Supreme Court-all these paramount
ISSUES" still occupy the sad position
OF kings in exile; they wear tie glory
of vanished past; they have no
power in the present
The Times Dispatch docs not desire
that Governor Wilson should go out OF
his way to assault Mr. Bryan's friends
or feelings ora Rlay tho thrice slain.
ITO criminate Rnd fecrilninate." saia
Burke, never yet was the road TO
reconciliation IN any difference among
men" The Times. Dispatch desires
the success Of the Democratic party T.;
that success cannot be secured with
cut harmony. but many of Governor
Wilson's friends Nare constrained m
feel that the harmony of silence does
N'' -SSeSodIiiy imply a harmony of
eulogy What troubles Governor VIII
CONS friends Is the difficulty Of
harmonizins his present attitude with
his past professions. The test OF
power has been applied; that test
which alone can with any certainty
discover what at the bottom is Tho
srGc character of any man" 1t is the
outcome of this test that the public ls
wftching to-day. Because he has
been raised to such an erninencc o;
game by his great gifts, because his
capac!ty TO serve is such bccaus. IN,
zeed OF service is SO pressing, the boo.
pie cannot but look narrowIy AT cycry
action and at every expression tha.
bend TO give the true character ana
quality of Woodrow Wlsoa
On the occasion OF his visit 10 picr.
pnond Governor Wilson can speak 70,
himself; he can trace the process.
which leo him from an adherence o,
she initiative and referendum as sub
Seraive of all representative govern
knent to modified acceptance of mos
principles: he can rehcurse The cond,
tons which led HIN ont of tns rank
Of the conservatives into the ranks o
khe radicals: and he uoubtless ,y,,, sc
!, forth the reasons for his changed an,
aude towards Mr.. Bryan. None o
these viewpoints are in ,hemseIyo
matters OF profound OF determinin,
moment 1t is only as they show
strength of purpose that they beco,n
important.
The duty OF service ,s the up
escapable corol!ary of grea, power.
Govarnor wilson has the power. bu
nc can only perform his duty in III
fullest way by gaining and keepn
the unwavering confidence Of his tc
Row citizens in his soundness of jud:
s,ent, and his stability OF purpose. )
change In Governor Wilson's polite