Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-02-05
Virginia for Preparedness

r REAr is the virtue Of that sober second
~ thought. SO often and generously COM
mcndcd and infrequently practiced, The
House of Delegates has added another proof
if any were needed. by rcconsidcring it's ac-
tion in shelving a preparedness resolution and
adopting another resolution that gives APP
proval TO the course OF the President.
1t is true that the resolution asserts the
devotion OF the House and OF the people of
Virginia TO peace and all that peace signifies
and that ii condemns miltarism and all that
militarism typifics. but it goes no further in
these respects than has President Wilson him
self. As a matter of fact, no words that
be pcnncd or uttered can match what the
President actually has done to preserve these
very ideals. In Il time of enormous difficulty
and flaming passion. under great provocation
and despite the nsistent urgngs Of the mar
plot and lingo he has kept his country out
of war
None but the fool can regard Woodrow
Wilson the advocate of militarism-none
hut the fool can doubt his fcrvcnt love Of
peace and profound aversion to war. These
traits OF his character are written in the
record. There has not been day OF the
last year that war was not within his grasp.
He could have prccipitatcd it at any time. If
he were III truth the man his less reputable
enemies paint him. framing his foreign policy
in terms Of political advantage. he could
definitely have assured his rc-clcction by
breaking off relations with Germany With
the country at war or on the brink of war.
who could believe the people would have con
sidcrcd change of administ ration?
1t happens that the President is not that
sort OF man. He is man of peace. and yet
he urges preparedness for national defense.
Tie tells the nation he does not know from
day to day what the morrow may bring forth.
He insists that measures be taken at once
to place the United States in Il position to
resist invasion, maintain its traditional
policies and protect its rights He knows the
danger better than any one else can know it.
and with all solcmnity. with the dignity and
responsibility of his high Office and his known
and proved love OF peace lending weight to
his words, he says "Prcpare.'
How his native State. of all others
resist such appeal? How can Virginia
reconcile opposition or apathy with her gori-
Gus history? How can descendants of mon
who followed Washington and Lee clothc
themselves i'll stodsy indifference to national
peril. so !orccfully proclaimed?
Democrats VIII find some consolation in the
fact that the earlier and unfavor;lbc action
on preparedness was made possible only by
Republican votes cast soldly in opposition to
the administration policy The Democrats
OF the House voted whelmngly in favor
of it.
Al any rate. the House did well TO change
its mind, even though the support given the
administration is sought to be qualified. 1t
would have been better TO have concurred in
the much stronger joint resolution that was
passed by the Senate. There should not be
the least question where Virginia stands on
this Issue. The Middle West supposed
stronghold OF the paciist propaganda, has
lcaped in generous enthusiasm to answer the
Presidents call. For Virginia to continue 10
hesitate would be disgraceful.
am just like putty-easly nodded The