The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-26
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II may be we'll for Richmond people to begin
10 ask themselves whether they not fall |
ing too much into the habit of division and fac /
t.on. A few years ago we united here as
people Of old city rarely are Men and wo-
men Of all classes, Of all sections and parts Of
town, Of all elements, parties and preferences.
got together cheerfuiy for every measure
movement suggested for the good OF Richmond.
Now we seem TO agree on nothing. to split on
everything from a question OF annexation of
territory to the location OF union passenger
station.
Every man is supposed to know his own
heart and motives although few of us really do.
Possibly few of take the trouble to analyze
deeply and honestly our impulses to oppose one
thing or favor another, to follow this man or
y axe stubborn stand instantly against everything
saaggested by that Yet should realize the
fact that the period of greatest prosperity and
,sfowth Richmond ever has known came with
1.-THE unity and mutual good humor and broad
civic purpose of the people. We should cons
slider whether we are being broken up into war
ring, cliaues and factions, personal social poti-
cal and sectional and whether. II that process
continues progress VIII halt
Are we being made fretfu1 suspicious set
against each other? II may begin to
ask whether the methods and policies of some
Of our newspapers have not good deal to do
with II. We may say now that have the
M he
ing Wall Continual carpng. frenzied competi-
ZION In unearthing and magntfying scandals and
accusations must have their effects on the pub
lie nerves and mind. Proper. considered obser-
walton and criticism Of public officials and the
conduct Of affairs Is of the highest and
most useful functions of the press, Ceaseless
fault finding and delving and searching for
some peg on which to hang violent and ex-
cited snarl makes the press instrument OF
injustice and harm.
There are faults In our municipal government,
our State government our general administra-
ton. Humanity has discovered or
wrought perfection, although we should be striv-
ing toward it always But the people Of Vir-
Einla and Of Richmond are not mohs to be
moved by desperate and iniamed appeals or
descriptions of their deplorable and debased
conditions They are not dead that II is neces-
,sary to shrek into their ears that weak and
awkward hands should undertake to apply GAL
vanic,batteries Of rhetoric to their nerves. They
are a reasonable and sensible people who may
b. conversed with and brought to necessary
action without daily SUGGESTIONS OF sobs proc
lamations OF protest. They have done fairly
well. considering everything. A stranger read
ing some o. our local newspapers would con-
clude that there is not sound spot in State
or city that we lack even the ten righteous that
would have saved ancient situation. The
truth is we decent and sensible people.
We are going along forward in most lines of
endeavor. Our educational system is not al
together rotten Our governor is not a heart
less murderer Our general assembly is not
collection Of thieves weaklings. The Com
monwealth of Virginia is not habitual crimi-
nal or robber. Our real scandals are few. The
city government is not composed entirely of
grafters incompetents. Now and then we do
develop enterprise and honesty and find some
people In Office who really their salaries.
Suppose instead OF seeking always to stir strife
ana arouse the spirit OF faction and blow into
nrs and smoke the smoudering sparks OF old
II quArreis. we gave our energies and what in
D 1n~aee-we may have to getting and holding the
people together and arousing patriotism. civic
Estds. public spirit7 Would not results be bet