The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-10-03
odd Virginny,
Never Tire

Looking around over the states OF me Union
1t must seem to us that just as well
governed and conducted here as any state or
any territory in the world. We have our faults.
of course. We send some fools to the general
assembly and some crooks and some fools into
our county and city legislative bodies. That
IS our own fault our carelessness or folly. We
cannot blame anybody but ourselves. y ct TAX
ing Virginia whole. she seems to be as
we'll handled as any. We should not be salts
couraged The State is the second richest in
the South behind only Texas She has more
power In the congress and the government than
any other State. or any other three States OF
the republic, Her government Is clean. Hell
taxes low, considering the debt she is car
rying.
in peace gailantly as her men carried her
banner to the foremost place in the charging and
dying line The grandsons and great ra ana,
accepting the debts Of their ancestors.
The veterans we had here last week alive and
thousands of their comrades dead in the front
rank paid for the mistakes their forefathers
made and other people made. one thing about
VirRinians: We willing to pay, whether
It be in our blood or our money we earn, what
obligations and duties we owe. That Is the
glory and beauty Of and has made our
stock honored so that the boast that Virginia
Is Illather-nf- States-and-o stat esnen Is
supported by facts. The president Of this coun-
try is a Virginian born; the chairman and
leaders of the committees of the two houses
of the congress are Virginians
Other States have scandals, We have none
Nobody assails our State government Our
roads. We are building new high schools
and normal schools for our young women, max
down and have almost abolished typhoid fever
diptheria and scarlet fever. In some Of our
cities have got the baby death rate dim
All these things we have done, We are
looking after and studying our convicts. II
there is any one point in progressive thought or
action in which Virginia is deficient do not
know 1t. She has not taken kindly to fads and
follies; but to every new suggestion that has
manifest sense and reason in 1t we have given
support readily.
Taking it all In all. looking at the govern
ment. clean and strong. at the schools and the
roads and our freedom from ugly talk and &C
cusation against our state government, our
State government, our Legislature and courts
may feel fairly well satisfied with the State
1t is. We want it better and stronger and
more progressive, Of course; but 1t seems to us
the people who are trying to throw dirt in
the face of the Commonwealth are doing rather
ungracious work and STOPPING ienobly TO un-
justified muck raking 20 the soiling of their
own hands-unless they can prove what they
imply.
Virginia can do better than she 10 doing
She can have better roads and schools and
cleaner cities. Yet surely she does compare ia
vorably with the States around her--with Mary
land, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and
West NirEnia-in her Influence and standing in
nable test.
We have no right to be contented We should
be looking forward and trying always 20 be
and do little better. Yet 1t is well for
to take review now and then for our own
and discounted and disparaglng
We are doing fairly we'll We fence corner
people who get together and talk things over
and look back into the past and consider
ditions they in State and what she
has done and her men and representatives
have done and how they stand before the
country--we have no reason to be dissatisfied
and every reason to be gratihed and encouraged
and TO go right on with high hearts and
hdenCe. Also we have the right to demand OF
the kickers. Republicans. Progressives Demo
Gratis that when they talk Of corruption waste
or Ill government, they come forward and show
up with names, details. facts and circumstances.
We want to get face to face whit OF these
accusations definitely stated. So far
see, the State is governed and managed almost
in an ideal and has made fine progress
Let the DIRECTORS give their objections III plain
English, Then and our fence corner, plain,
everyday friend can talk II and see what
is wrong-if anything is-snd congratulate
ourselves on what is right and hopeful and prom
Using we'll for our old but very live Common
wealth and where there is a crooked spot
and address ourselves to correction Of it.
Roanoke Times.