The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-08-24


STA, whether frankly labelled with the
name of the car or neatly disguised
as a constitutional monarchy. Keep
the Germans out and It will never
again have look in there
Wise things may be done; also
foolish. But whether wise or foolish,
whatever is done will be by the grace
of the people of Russia, free and in
dependent.
Reactionary influences i9 this and,
other countries are striving hard to
create the impression that Russia has
or is about to have a dictator.
You can put all that aside as the
idle dreams of troglodytes. l don't
know any climate on earth that is
more unhealthy for dictators now
than the climate of Russia. Gentle
men planning to go into that line OF
business are earnestly advised to look
elsewhere. The prospects are not
salubrious.
Russia will not have dictator,
and contrary to cave dwelling opin-
ion, does not need a dictator. 1t is no
One Man Country and never will be
again.
the the national democratic spirit is
stronger, more resolute or better
awake to its job.
Wise democratic heads in Russia
are now studying outlines for the new
Russian constitution. No one need
be astonshied it, when their work is
done and the constitution adopted, II
proves to be the most advanced docu-
ment of the kind ever put together.
No one need be astonished II 1t pro-
vldes for government more directly
and truly democratic than any other
nation on earth has ever had.
Even now, without any formulated
constitution, the people are supreme.
The most powerful institution in all
Russia / sthe National Council OF
Workmens' Soldiers and Peasants
Delegates. and that is purely dem
oCratic power.
Local councils, similarly formed,
furnish for the time being the govern
ing steam in the municipalities. The
National Council furnishes 1t in ma
tional affairs.
The National Council is the only
source of authority. What it says
goes.
It's $50 delegates were elected from
all parts Of Russia by men and wo-
men voters equally endowed with cit
izenship.
1t is the most remarkable legisla-
tive body in the world, and, as it
looks to me, the most significant, the
most satisfactory and admirable.
1t Is composed chiefly Of farmers
and workingmeh; the actual produc-
ers and toilers,
Now in every country these are
the vast majority of the population.
Therefore, in every country, If we
are to have real democracy, these
should compose the Legislative power.
In this country and in England
there is a strange superstition that
nobody can make laws or manage
government except lawyers, bankers,
exploiters and professional pollti-
clans.
Well, then, give fervent thanks to
Russia. She has knocked the spots
out of all that fol-de-rol.
Her National Council does business,
with rapidity, good sense and good
Judgment. She doesn't miss the law
yers, except to bless the Lord they
are not there.
Lawyers constitute less than one
per cent Of the population and hold
in our country 10 per cent Of the leg
islatlye offices. They can't see that
in Russia.
Also, to arrive at the next point for
thanksgiving. FIVE of the delegates in
the National Council are women.
Women suffrage was achieved in
Russia the moment the revolution
was a success. It achieved itself au-
tomatically, without effort. Nobody
argued or campaigned for 1t. Nobody
had to point out that it was q good
thing and a simple act of Justice and
ought to be adopted. Democracy had
won and nobody in Russia had any
AAhhr idea Of daniocrarv OHa0nf 4