The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-02-23
LEADER AGAINST LEADER.

David Lloyd-George. chancellor OF the ex-
chequer of England, is one of the greatest men of
the generation. The son OF Welsh blacksmith
who has worked his way up to one of the most
important posts In the empire. and who has be-
come the most commanding figure in British poll
tics. he is the greatest friend of the people of
viewpoint of some of us In this country and In
his own--there is nevertheless no suggestion of
mental unbalance In his makeup. He rs tighter
for the people. yet champion of society. He
Is an ofice-hoider, yet he has never lost touch
with the uiasaes. He Ia Englands Bryan. greater
than Bryan only In that be had the opportunity
to serve his country and his people as a worker
as we'll as a preacher.
David LoydGeorge Ia the leader in a great
forward movement He la the leader who nv
ignoring old standards of democracy is making
England the most democratic nation on the globe.
He has done more for the working people-ror
the middle classes-for the great body of the peo-
pie who make and always have made England one
of the greatest nations In the world He is the
best beloved and worst hated man In all the great
British empire.
It would not have been so very surprising had
this man been the victim OF attack from some of
the misguided minions of entrenched privilege
for that Is what Loyd-George is fighting across
the water william J. Bryan has been lighting
1t In this country. Reformers and great leaders
since the world began have been the object of the
attacks, verbal and physical on the part of those
whose pocsetbooks are endangered by their ae-
tivities. But 1t was not those who might have
excuse for being his enemies from whom the at
tack came 1t came from others who claim to
be leading a great forward movement 1t came
from representatives OF one OF the very causes
which Loyd-George is inclined to make his own
l. came from the militant suffrage leaders OF
England.
No hireiing OF reactionaries WIENER of labor
or capital wrecked LioydGeorge's house with
Lomb 1t was no gunman In the employ of or
binary violators of the law. The outrage was
not inspired by those whose iil-gotten gains were
endangered. but by selfstyled leaders of world
movement toward the ideal.
Leaders of one great movement attempted the
life Of the leader of another world movement
the movement toward democracy and the de-
thronenlent of special privilege "It was grand"
said one OF the womens rights advocates 81
assume the responsibility" came from the throat
of another.
Either Lloyd-George Is dangerous to society, is
false leader who is leading the hosts of England
further into rather than out of the wilderness or
Mrs. Pankhurst and her co-workers and Cocoon
spirators are misguided and dangerous to society.
Whether we like 1t or no, equal suffrage is be-
lieyed to be inevitable. Whether or not it will
live may be uncertain, but there is no doubt that
It will be tried, and tried almost universally. 1t
lis q pity that such an important experiment.
important whether 1t is or is not to be perma-
nently successful--should be ushered In in one
great nation in such a manner 1t is unfortunate
that 1t should be preiudiced almost from the start
ty fanatics and women restless With the restless
ness born of ideness and irresponsibility. So
revolutionary change as this should be under
taken in oalmness and thoughtfulness Its trial
should be forced upon people because those
people have been convinced that 1t is worthy of
trial, and not by methods which will ALLEVIATE
sn aggressive minority and keep 1T fighting toI
the bitter end A system born under such cir
cumstances cannot receive a fair test for years
&c come. and ii may be discontinued before the
question Of Its justice and righteousness can be
settled. Moreover. the trial viii be delayed Men
cannot calmly and dispassionAtsly reach correct
.sS &