The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-07-29
MR. POLLARD AND CERTAIN FACTS.

" MR. POLLARD AND CERTAIN FACTS
That distinguished and entertaining political
bird man. Mr., John Garland Pollard, in a speech
In South Richmond Friday evening complained
sagainst article concerning himself printed
duction seems to be that he has been assailed
and held up to derision by this newspaper be-
cause of his devotion to liberty, his infatuation
tor the people and their blood bought rights
shis generous martyrdom, love for democracy
courage purity. wisdom, selfdedication to Truth
with large T-and many and beautiful vir
tues. This is error of Mr.. Polards pardon
ably enthusiasts conceptions and visions of him.
SELF. The vsrodninn loves virtue, especially in
the young-the young intellectually and polit
cally as we'll as in years. Nothing Is
pleasing than the noble reckessness and i'm.
violations and the gallant candidates. for of
nee of youth and innocence There is lovelier
color than a soft and delicate shade OF green.
Yet The Vtr0inian, ordinary human news
paper. Is trained to the inartistic and prosaic
habit OF considering facts.
Mr.. Pollard. In of Joint debate at
Lynchburg. asserted as a fact that everybody
knows the overwhelming majority of the Demo
Gratis OF Virginia demanded that the delegation
from this State to the national Democratic con-
'vention at Baltimore be instructed to vote for
Wilson for president bu. that the States bosses
knowing they could not use Wilson, stifed
ignored and suppressed the win OF the people,
This constituted very serious charge OF sub
smviency and incompetence against the voters
of Virginia of betrayal of trust and treason
against the great majority of the delegates to
the State convention at Norfolk and of tyranny
and corrupt purpose against the persons de
scribed as the bosses" supposed to be two
United States senators. elected the year before
by a majority of about $4,000 In a total vote OF
1ore the article in The Virginian to which Mr.
Pollard referred. called him for proof of his
accusations and assertions.
In his response to this call at South Richmond
nar. Pollard said The Vtreintan might well
cal on him for proof that the rises in the
heavens. This is poetic. lofty and soaring. as
becomes an oratorical aviator but 1t Is not quite
cnvincine 1.-The sad truth is that it might be
called evasive The vulgar and commonplace
DeOplE might describe II as uo0ElHB ana lnoSt
OF sporting habits of thought might consider Il
as side stepping plain issue and direct ques
tion.
Mr.. Pollard favors us with no facts At South
Richmond his minutes of speaking had no limit
but the patience OF his audience and he hat
abundant time in which to present any facts
he might have to sustain his tremendous In
their chosen representatives and labors. Chal
lenged directly for evidence TO support an &C
c,isation directly made by him in public speech
and on his own responsibility against the en-
tire Democratic party OF Virginia. he ascendet
high In the air and talked OF the sun.
So far as we can understand, the sun hal
nothing whatever TO do with the TIL
sun is with us daily TO speak for itself 1t is ir
evidence There is no evidence that the vas
majority. or any majority. OF the Democrats o
Virginia wished delegation to Baltimore In
structsd for Mr. Wilson. In his own somewha
Unnamed imagination Mr.. Pollard himself may
be the sun in chief of our political armament
rising effulgent TO bestow upon as benevolent
illuminating and comforting rays. 1t is to b,
Remembered, however. that OF the function,
Spf the sun Is to bestow light: and in this opera
tion our new orb, rising from Ginter Park t.
n shine in South Richmond was not entirely
Successful.
Not only does Mr.. Pollard give us no fact
10 sustain his assertions but 1t Is lamentabl,
! true that the known facts. supported by con
exrrent circumstances, contradict him squarely
Hhoee facts are that the Democrats Of the Stat
plsctsd their delegates 70 Norfolk. in some place