The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-03-14

Of the struggle among the Republicans. than
they arc showing concerain4 the Deinocrauc
nominee. Ihis ny Itse.I 10 little puzziing. But
wnen auded to this there is manifest QAsposi-
ton to depreciate, rldIcuie aha inJure in every
way Mr., Roosevelt and 10 commend and defend
Mr.. Iait my perpiexity deepens into Dewiider-
inent What has MIR. Taft done to justify This
sort,of attitude the part OF Democratic pa
pets? his course on the whole tariff issue, which
is one OF the foremost poiitIcai questions OF our
uihe, mas psen sae..iatifs a'u "ean 10 ah e"teht
that has seldom been equaed ana never sur
passed IN all our political history. At TINS very
hpur when our democratic papers filling
their editorial columns with kindly references
to the presiaent anu TO all 4nteals and put-
poses faVoring his candidacy. he is prostituins
his great oabce oy uaiils most snaIneiessly
open ana notorious 1asnlon his power of patron
asc to strengthen his own political lines and
c4ippie his political enemies. 1t is freely adj
mtted on all hands that this repreh cnsibie bust
ness is proceeding on a scale MAJ day ever match
ed in the past political history of country.
The chief field for this sort OF exploitation is
in the south. This shameful use of olficai in
Huence and power in the interest of personal
political ambition is going right under our
eyes. Yet | scan our Southern papers in vain
for any adequate protest, Tor any sign OF genu-
Inc righteous indignation at this pert ersion.
am at a loss also tn understand the course
of Democratic press toward Mr.. Roosevelt
Putting aside personal peculiaritieS and obserV-
ins his political course, il would seem that
/ loS ers of human liberty and believers in funda-
mental human rights, would fad in his declared
political views much to admire and to applaud.
Ara to condemn him because he came into
New York and broke the power of the most
rupt political machine that afflicted that
great State? Is he to he blamed and derided
because he Is outspuken in his advocacy of hui
maa rights as over against the rights OF prop
erty? After ali deductions have been made for
his errors and faultS--and man of his force
is to commit errots--does it not remain
true that in many respects his is the most ciriie
and impressive personality which now challenges
public attention?
+ To at any rate he SCENE than any
other public man in the ranks OF the Repub-
lican party to believe in the dignity and value
of the person, of the individual human being.
without respect to his external condition. And
believe me, this after all Is the one supreme and
persistent issue of our own time AS IL has been
of all times since the upward climb OF the race
began. You will pardon me ] am for add
ing expression of my regret that along with
your able advocacy of certain specific legislative
reforms which at their bottom involve this queS-
ton. You do not it seems to me, exemplify
this same spirit in your treatment of other
spccts of current politics. have sometimes
feared lest you might cherish, almost uncon~
sciouely IL may be- some sympathy with the
reactionaries. Hampered by no hidebound ira
ditions. coming into active participation In the
public life of oar people Mt this most critical
and interesting iuncture. The Virginia has
opportunity unrivaled in this community has an
I believe ii ought to grasp and use.
CHATHAM.
Richmond, Va, March u. 1912.