The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-01-03
FRIDAY. JANUARY 5, 1918.
A JOB FOR THE DEMOCRATS.


Those optimistic Democrats who are count
Ing upon the progressive Republicans and
Roosevelt followers in the senate 20 Offset any
Democratic detection and to help in the
enactment Of progressive tariff legislation are
leaning on a slender reed They are court
Ing disappointment and party defeat
Social justice and vague ak Of the rights
OF the masses may do very we'll as weapons
OF ogrense at Armageddon. but they will be
laid aside for more modern weapons during
the coming fight in the senate. To catch
votes the progresslves may have found high
sounding phrases useful. but to lay the foun-
dalton for the growth of the third party. and
to pave the way for success four years hence
they will be adjudged worthless. The Pro-
gressiyes were soldiers Of the Lord during
the presidential campaign, but they are prac-
teal politicians between times. Redemption
OF campaign pledges now means another
Democratic victory in 1915. The passage OF
o sensible tariff measure during the coming
extra session of congress; the reform OF the
currency and proper dealing with the trust
question means to make good the trial
which the people have given the party. and
the consequent obliteration of the Progressive
party and the end OF Theodore Roosevelt as
n national political figure. The Progressiyee
know this and the Progressives cannot be
counted upon to aid In their own destruction
1t is not necessary TO accuse like
Cummns and Borah Of bad faith. They may
honestly believe that the hope of the country
rests upon the success of the party of the
reformation in 1915. They may believe
themselves justified in doing all they to
make the Democratic administration failure
in the hope that by so doing they make the
triumphs of their principles sure Mr.. Bryan
holds il as fault Of many reformers that
they are willing to make matters worse so that
the ensuing reaction may make possible all
the reforms they believe to be needed. He
declared that If he believed he could brns
a dead man to life be would try his powers
on dead man. and would not kill man to
find out if he possessed the power. The Pro
gressives, however, may feel that they have
q right TO block lifsle progressive legisla-
ton now in the hopeEthat the people will turn
party for relief at the next opportunity. Believ-
ing this what would he more natural than for
them to refuse TO assist the Democratic party
In the senate in its efforts TO revive the tariff
They could not afford 10 align themselves
Openly With the reactTonarIes, but they could
throw many obstacles in the way OF the re-
vislonists and could prevent the enactment of
much needed legislation without going on re-
cord Then later Colonel Roosevelt could
place himself at the head of the progressives,
the malcontents and the bosses out for some
thing and make capital of the fact that both
old parties had refused to heed the demands
OF the people,
The Democratic majority in the senate is ex-
ceedingiy small. The detection of two or three
senators would be sufficient to wreck the party,
as the Germans and Briees wrecked Cleveland s
second administration. To hope that enough
Proeressives would come TO the rescue TO ena-
bic the party to ful6ll it's platform pledges is,
to our mind, a. vain hope; better way is
rs MAJ suGM pf sxie saya}iy ~ the an-ca4tei
reactionaries For this compromises will be
ritcessarY Diplomacy and tfte big stick must
both be brought into play. and the task is es-
sentially one for President Wilson and his
friends in the senate. These latter for the most
part have had little experience and by them
selves are Incapable Of dealing with the
situation, but with the help Of the
experienced progressive Democratic senators
and Of Woodrow Wilson the task can be done
Much depends upon the character OF the men
who lead the administrative forces and upon
tbs willingness Of both sides TO compromise. If
the progressive Republican senators wish TO
vote as they have talked it is good, but reli-
anee cannot be placed upon them. 1t is Job
fer the Democrats