The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-03-05
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Editor Virginian:
Sr,-The real, true Democrats of this Com
monwea1th will doubtless give their heartfelt
thanks to the Virginian for its strong, splendid,
unanswerable and unassailable editorial of Feb
ruary 2sth. / trust that every loyal Democrat,
who is opposed to rampant radical popusm,
viii read that editorial and "nwardly digest
it, and not let himself be led astray by false
and foolish political fads and fancies, even
though they all the way from Oklahoma
and Nebraska, under the guise of an alleged,
called Progressive Democracy. ] notice that
the orator from Oklahoma, who made such a
magnificent address, quoted Jefferson whom
he claimed advocate of his wild theories
of government Now. if he had studied Jeffer
son and Madison with the same zeal that he
seems to have studied the new nostrums and
propagandas Of the populists. he. would soon
come TO the conclusion that he greatly in err
ror in calling the Sage of Monticello, as an
advocate of the political fads he champions. He
also made reference to what Mr. Lincoln has
said. Well. l don't know, and / less for
what Mr. Lincoln said thought of the tenets,
practices policies of the Democratic party,
and of the rights of the people or of the rights
of the States All Virginia Is and ought to be,
proud OF the laurels won by Senator Owen in
his far-away home, well as for the distin
gushed position he has taken in the upper
house of congress He is eminently worthy of
it all, by his urs1fiied personal character, high
standing and acknowledged ability. but the fact
is that he has lived so long among the Indians
that doubt he has unconscously lost the trail
Old time Dem ocracy. like old time religion. is
good enough for Virginia. 1t good enough
for jefferson, Madison and others Of the fathers
and founders Of this republic: ii good enough
for the iron-wiled Andrew jackson, Ieb Stuart,
Joseph l., Johnson and a legion OF our great
leaders in Nirgnias hallowed and consecrated
past. who the blue ribbon Of the Souths
legion of honor it good enough for the
splendid private sodery in the Incompatible
army of the South it was good enough to save
Anglo Saxon civilization and good government
for Virginia in the dark and dreadful days OF
reconstruction; it has CALAMITY and gloriously
fought the good fight and kept the faith.
though confronted by adverse conditions with
out any alliances or entangiements though many
have been offered for Ats espousal.
So / say, down with these political icono-4
ciasts, who would wreck this temple Of our
political faith. / note what is said about Gov
ernor Stuart, for ], too have heard him very
severely criticised and condemned for using. as
they say, his high office in the interest of one
faction 81 the Democratic party, in his efforts
to assist certain men of vauftng ambition to-
divide and demoralze the party. | think these
critics OF the governor are TOO previous" and
have not sufficient foundation for their con-
demnation. I regret all this, for have very
high opinion of and admiration for Governor
Stuart, l believe he will dignity and adorn the
chair of Virginia governors. He is splendid
gentlemen. OF whom all Virginia is proud. I
trust, and believe that all of his actions will
be, inspired by pure and patriotic purposes for
the good and welfare of this State and all its
people He has just been indicted into office;
wait and watch and j verify hope. and believe
THAT there will be just cause for adverse
criticism. or a precipitate condemnation from
any In connection with the subject
matter OF this article. am reminded of an in
cident of ,the long ago 81 hope it will not be
considered populstic or sacrelgous for to
refer to the Tong ago. possibly it may not be
progressive enough). Well years ago. 1t was the
custom here in Virginia to have at the various
county courthouses militia muster-days. On
one of these occasions the old colonel of this
militia regiment. who total, ignorant OF
military tactics. appeared on the parade ground.
mounted old bob-tailed swaxed back gray
mare. wearing a faded blue unifo m decorated
with all the brass buttons and b: ass lace that
the law allowed. and a large bla K hat with a
plume that touched his horses baoS, with an old
sword THAT scraped the ground. After giving a
few commands that he did not understand. he
found himself in a hollow square. surrounded