The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-16
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III SS4ilS VIC iHV'''S'S Va ~
Constitutional Convention OF 1892 Gov
ernor Mann declared that, though
Virginia might not rccos niac the fact,
it was nevertheless true that the peo-
pc of this state wcro on the verge
OF a hloodloss revolution. The Times
Dispatch agrees with the Governor.
hit VIC have no idea tina; the majority
OF his fellow citizens Al present either
perceive or comprehend the forces
that are making for the change to
which the Governor alluded. As a
general proposition Of history, rcvo-
buttons. until they have actually
broken out. are as invisible to the
public mind as tho very air itself
We are apt TO think tina, If we had
lived in France before the French
revolution We would have been able
10 read the signs Of tho times and
have prepared ourselves against the
evil day that was fastening TO it's
conclusion Yet. the people Of this
country have seen tho Erca; revolution
that overthrow the Republican party.
Civ llNI!' u mo Niu 'Tudl u " ib SUI
rounded Mr. Taf; appreciated what
was taking place under their very
eyes The people had outgrowD the
nld-l,no Republican party; they were
not In sympathy with its policies or
IL tariff: they disliked its protection
cf favored sons and favored indus
tries. and that dislike was made fear
fully apparent on November ;. New
ideals had grown up 10 meet new
conditions. and II was hopeless and
futile task that Mr.. Taft and his
advisers set themselves in trying to
persuade the people to adop; and
maintain an attitude tina, the public
had definitely decided 10 abandon.
II is the fashion in many legal and
learned quarters to dccry progressive
ism. and by that term to imply every
now-fanEled and objectionable herosy
which tho speaker can recall unfor-
tunately, this method does not take
into consideration the fac, that tho
world. without needing objections and
the complaints, has always moved for
over the standpattcrs.
As the public press reported. many
OF the speakers at the gathering OF
the members OF the Constitutional
Convention Of 1902 declared that they
were amazed TO sec how conservative
now appeared tho proposals that had
seemed rovolutonary and radical ton
years ago The same clearncss Of
perception tina, led these rcntlcnrn TO
remark and understand the change has
generally been the peculiar rif, Of
historians And vet in spite of all
the teachings OF history and all tho
learned discussions Of the WHY'S and
wherefores. mankind gets AS excited
over each new proposed change as II
the world had never progressed be-
fore
some mcn."''.aid Mr. Jefferson. look
on constitutions with : kind Of sane
timonious rovcrence-as an Ark Of the
Covenant, too sacred 10 be touched.
I certainly an, not one of those who
believe in frequent and untried
changes But know that laws ana
institutions must 20 hand in hand
With the progress Of the human mind
In spite OF the lamentations and the
forebodings, the world viii go on; new
generations VIII adapt themselves to
new conditions THE wisdom ofths an.
destors" will not always he Needed. and
even conservative Virginia will join
the forward march.
Governor Mann IS tight This stat,
IS ready TO- bioodcss revolution