The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-07-01

he is not opposed to meeting conditions;
that he viii advocate change If he believes the
change will make for improvement, but all meet
them as they best and men differ to what
is best
Continuing. The T0es-Union sums up The
case. NE FAKE H. sAnel2 and logically
We have respect but not a siavtsh yenera-
tion for that which IS old We have very
high respect for the Trainers Of the consttu-
ton and our system Of laws. but We do not
look on them as infallibIe. We have the
greatest respect for the constitution but not
because they made n. In fact. our respect for
them is chiefly based ON this great work Of
their hands. We respect preesnt syste m
for the reasoning that suggested it and the
experience that has approved it and SO If any
change is proposed ask why If the old
has been found faulty in any respect in that
respect the presumption that the new would
be better needs little argument II tho old has
proved satisfactory . would be unreasonable
"a adopt the new except in obedience to the
most convincing reasons
THE term reactionary is absurd applied
to ~ Democrat It could mean nothing more
thap going back to old principles and no one
can go back to thing he hasn't left The
Democratic party has never left its old prin+
ciples but has adhered to them through the
yeare AZ times it has temporarily accepted
political fads intended to win but not sue
ceediuE in winning the support of the faddists
have been fads If they had been lasting. They
-dtapped off az the temporary froth Of
opinion that called them forth blew away, but
the rlncples have remained az they were
The Times Union thinks that reasonable
man car object to the definition Of the term
Progressive as given by Senator Reed, Of Mis-
souri,. in nominating Clark. He said:
no
term hBa perhaps never been clearly defined
BUT If you mean by progressive one VINO
studies conditions, and recognizing an evil
hrsvely seeks for and applies a remedy. then
assert that this has record unsur-
pased. lie does not cling TO thing simply
because 1t is heavy with age Neither viii he
embrace one because il ia He ~ CON
servative enough believe that nothing
should be destroyed merely because 81 has
lasted q long time. lie is progressive enough
not to reject idea simply because II is not
covered with tho nildew Of antiquity
And. after all is said it really SINNERS down
TO a matter Of fads and principles. The Con
servative ie rhe fellow who clings TO the old
fundamentals with the assertion that the old
ship Of Zion" is good enough for him, and the
Progressive ia tire feIow WHO graHps at ali the
new fads as they spring up and builds for him
self a straw platform. Occasionally he finds
something sufficiently sensational TO draw a
nomination. but usually he is taught that it Is
hard to swerve the crew of the old ship me
reasonable Conservative Will take hold Of new
idea II he is convinced that the innovation posses
ses merit. he refuses TO be ted astrHy by fanattea
faddieFn. Summing up, we suggest Ia the Nir-
gjuian- Pilot and The Times L MON the answer,
The Progressive is the man who advocates
meritorloqs new policies that are likely 10 re
suit in the greatest good TO the greatest number,
without abandoning the fundamental principles
Of good government for which his party stands,