Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-14
Need of Democratic Unity

T HE T1N1ES-DISPATCH does not recall that
1T has used the words traitors to their
party" to describe the membership of the
Democratic opposition to the shp-purchase
bill. as alleged by one of our correspondents
That would represent rather extreme view
Of the situation, to which we have not com.
mitted ourselves.
On the contrary, have been at pains to
concede to these gentlemen-to use phrase
that has been employed in this connection
the honesty as we'll as the courage Of their
convictions" Under the circumstances. that
is about far as ardent Democrats, who be-
lieve in Democratic principles and wish fer
vently to keep the Democracy in power, ought
to be willing to go
To answer directly the question of our
correspondent, we do not believe that Repre-
sentatives Senators in Congress should
vote as directed by the leader or leaders of
certain party. even though it be contrary
to their sincerest convictions and beliefs
Our lament has been that any considera BILE
portion OF the majority III Congress should
find their "sincerest convictions and beliefs" in
direct and ineradicable conflict with the views
OF their party colleagues.
Government by party, such as we have in
this country, contemplates the yielding of in
dividual views on questions OF policy and
method that do not involve principle Other
wise, party government would be impossible.
No majority in Congress would ever be able
10 obtain the enactment Of consistent and
constructive program Of legislation, if the
minority, always actively hostile, should re-
ceive at intervals substantial accretions from
within the ma jority's ranks.
Ihere is no principle involved in this ship
purchase legislation. which Democrats
ought to divide. In effect, It is an application
OF government ownership TO situation ad-
mittedly intolerabe, for which no other
remedy has been suggested. The suggested
remedy is nlp
United States owns the Panama Steamship
Company and it is preparing to build rail-
ROAD through Alaska, to take two examples
directly III point. Both represent govern
ment action. not in opposition to or competi-
ton with private enterprise but in default of
that enterprise.
There is presidential election in less than
two years. Two years ago victory was easy.
because the opposition was divided hut two
years hence we must fight united Republic
canism, hungry for spols. longing to repeal
Democratic legislation and discredit Demo-
cratic policies and helped by all the forces
OF special privilege the country can muster
II II is to hope for victory the Democracy
must present united front to the common
enemy. IT its own forces are dsorganized
ana mutlnouS. ready to criticize on small
proVocatlon and desert on less, what chance
has it OF perpetuating the policies it believes
best fitted to promote the happiness and as
people?
1t Is this aspect OF the matter that causes
us TO survey with such anxious apprehension
every evidence of division. In our judg-
ment, the success OF the Democracy is of
higher consequence to the whole nation than
the triumph of the individual views of Mr..
O'Gorman or Mr.. Vardaman or OF any of
their followers
justification for this stand will be supplied
III ample measure should the Republicans, by
any miSchanCe, return to power Instead of
S3000O,O00 invested in steamships owned
ana controlled by the government we shall
nave larger sum disbursed in annual sub
sides to the governments maritime fayorites
instead OF policies designed to promote the
general welfare, we shall have other
policies intended to foster the interests and
NIL the pockets OF special classes and indivi-
duals. That is why this is a Democratic
newspaper and why we are filed with grief
and disappointment by every tendency toward
party disunion.