Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1914-07-02

tlcal moranLy ana social justice thht
form the foundation Of every real re-
public, and have been impressed upon
this nation by long line of illustrious
Democratic Presidents, from Thomas
Jefferson to Woodrow Wilson. While
issues change from time to time, as hui
ham civilization in its resistless march
faces new problems. principles are eter-
nal, and we recognize the course pur-
sued by President Wilson, with the
splendid cooperation of Secretary Bryan
and a Democratic Congress upon the
great issues before the country, as pa
triotic of purpose, sound in principle
and essentially democratic when tested
by the teachings of Jefferson.
We congratulate the whole people Of
the United States upon the ,ascendency
of the Democratic Party under its
present leadership, and upon the great
advancement it marks in the cause of
popular government, not only in our
own land, but throughout the world
New and higher standards have been
established in the high places Of gov
eminent, and pure ideals obtain in the
the administration of public affairs.
The light of publicity has been turned
into the dark places and the people al
lowed to see what goes on in their own
government. In view of all of these
higher and better things of government
we most heartily endorse The admins.
tration of Woodrow Wilson during the
sixteen months he has been President,
and in this endorsement we include his
great Secretary of State, VIM. J.
Bryan, who has so ably and unselfishly
upheld the hands of the President iii
his battles. for Democratic principles.
We also heartily endorse the course of
Clarence w. Watson while in the
United States Senate and OF Senator
| William e Chiffon, who in the Senate
Of the United States has earnestly and
devotedly brought his great talents and
matchless elcquence and lald them at
the feet of the Presid ant in his master
full contest for human rights. We also
heartily endorse the cause of William
G. Brown and NJ. M. Nicely, the two
| Democratic Congressman from this
State, who have been among the able
supporters of The Presidents policies.
| 2nd We call attention, with pride
and qualification to the magnificent
record Of the present national admins
tration and Congress for constructive
craftsmanship, This record is without
a parallel in the history of this Repub-
lie, and now, when the first session OF
the 63rd Congress would ordinarily be
just about ending more than a year Of
solid work has been done.
The only tariff law of half century
has been passed.
Likewise a National Banking and
Currency Act that frees the productive
energies of the nation from the burden
Of medieval money system and makes
bankers panics impossible.
The great Democratic principle Of an
Income Tax has beeu crystalized into
law and for the first tine the wealth Of
the country is required to contribute
fair share of the cost of government.
The election of United States Sena-
tors by direct vote of the people has
been put into practical operation in such
way as to give to the people the full
benefit of this g eat popular reform.
The Ubiquitous Commerce Court, de-
vised by the Republican party to deny
justice to individual shippers by max
ing it too expensive to go to Washing.
ton with their complaints from all parts
of the country, has been abolished
| And an Antitrust Bill designed to
protect our people ard we believe Con
gress should pass this act before it I'D.
1 journs, from monopoly is well on the
road-to enactment. All these great
steps in freeing our government from
the evils of special privilege, and re-
storing real rule of the people, have
been taken in little more than one year,
and in the face OF complicated and
delicate foreign situation, which has
been handled with such skill and pure
diplomatic purpose as TO establish a new
standard of international confidence and
Honor in the new worll and infinitely
advance the cause of peace and Chris
tian civilization among the nations OF
America
3ra We endorse the policy and pur
pose of President Wilson in relation to
Mexico, and congratulate the mothers
of ten million American boys that in
the stress of the past year our country s
course in Mexican affairs has been di-
rected by two great lovers of peace to
whom the lives of the tlower.of Amer
ica's young manhood are precious. We
| join with all patriotic Americans in the
hope that the earnest efforts of Presi'
dent Wilson and Secretary of State.
VIM. ]. Bryan. to avert bloodshed. and
maintain peace and honor, may be
crowned with success.
| 4th. We believe it is the duty Of
every political party asking for power
to take the people into its confidence
and courageously declare its position on
all public questions as they become live
issues. +, Accordingly we pledge the
nominee of this convention, if elected
to Congress. to vote to submit to the
people, through their respective states,
an amendment to the Federal Consti-
tuition prohibiting the saloon in United
States territory.
i 9th. We endorse and commend the
efforts of the Virginia debt Commits