The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-28
no LEAD oNcE MORE.


70 some the very namo OF the organ
ization now In session will seem a
mockcry. The Virginia Progressive
Democratic Leaguc--when. IN party
pariancc. have the words "Vir-
giuia' ana "prosressive' been llnNod
together before ia the memory of the
present generations When since the
new Constitution rrccd us from the
menace OF a negro vote. have the white
men OF the dominant party In Virginia
! turned thelr face to tho future and
have striron to improve the govern
mont Entrusted to usr
Yet Tor the encouragement Of tie
men who arc met in Richmond to-day
TO plan letter things for tho party.
he IL omembered that the namc which
they have chosen IS ono that belonged
in other days to Virginia as to no other
state. Virginia. progressive iegisla-
ton, cunocracy- three were syn
.onyms IN the early days of tho re-
public. Tho Bill Of Rights. The In
struction for the Declaration Of Indo-
peudencc ana the call for the Annapo-
Ills convention were the foundation
stones OF democratic progress in the
umion; the Virginia resolutions were
'the political gospel Of tho South for
throo generations
More than this. the periods during
which Viiglnla democracy has been
progressive have been the periods
when Virginia gave leaders 10 the ma
ton ana shaped the thought OF the
Onion Tho spirit which prompted the
resolution that made Richard Henry
Lee move for Independence IN Phila-
.delphia was the spirit which made pos
s.blo a generation Of WashinEtons, of
Lees, OF Nlonroes. Of Mpdisons, OF Mar
shalls, Of Hcnrys. Of Blands, Of Ram
.dolphs and of pcndlctons. as long as
that spirit was viiile and strong. Vir-
ginia led; the moment that spirit yield
ed to contentment and selC-satsfac-
ton, Virginia followed-f followed moro
and more slowly her aggressive sis
ters Of the South
There ure evidences that with tho
birth OF new ambition and OF new
ideals Virginia IS ready once more to
construct once more to lead The peo-
pie of Virginia are stirred by noble
discomfort, first evidence of new
awakcnmcnt Against those who have
dominated tho party during recon,
years the people bring no Indictment
Of REGULATION OF Of gross dishonesty.
no charge save that OF Indifference to
Z i~ q g,r ~,
the calls for relief-unwnling TO build
for tomorrow in tho light of to-
day. And the greatest blame that can
attach to leader is that nc fails to
lead
II the Virginia Progressive Demo
cratic Leaeuo can catch the spirit OF
this discomfort and shape II into action,
( II viii perform a service lnes;inable
Not 10y prescription but by construction.
not by tho club bus by the lever. not by
force but by Inspiration of high ex-
ample, can and must virrinuns DO
pointed again to those lofty ideals OF
service which were ours IN tho manly
youth of the republic This the league
must know II It would GROW IN in
/ huence and iu power.
We would not be too strict in denn-
ing VINO may or may not be members:
We would exact no binding pledge OF
loyalty to candidates or OF subscription
TO q particular political creed. We
would only. in a spirit of friendly couu-
.cil, call all who viii look forward to
life Up their eyes. md liftng-to la
Dor.