Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1917-11-17
LET WELL ENOUGH ALONE.

In the county newspapers IN sew
eral sections Of the State We note
The throwing out Of feelers wnlch IN
dictate the willingness OF somebody
to contest the seats Of one or more
of yirginias present representatives
in Congress. 1t is, Of course, the IN
questionable right of every citizen
10 become candidate For any OF
Zee in the gift OF the people ana Il
is the prerogative Of constituenc!
to change its public servants at VIII,
but the wisdom OF frequent rota-
lions in Office is another matter, Tor
ability and fidelity, when proven are
not to be lightly set aside. nor IS
experience qualification OF MINOR
value.
The influence Of the South in Ihe
national legislature is OF a. weight
Lisproportionate to the number OF IT'S
repres entatives, chiefly for the rea.
son that. as "a whole. Senators. ans
Representatives from the Southern
States. are reelected Tor sacceS-
sion of terms and so acquire not
only seniority entitling them 20
leadership. but . knowledge OF siie
.Dubl;c needs and Of parliamentary
procedure. Tirginians now I'LL some
of the most Important POSITIONS 10
the organizations of the Senate ana
the House. They are acceptaDiy d!s-
charging duties essential to the wei"
fare of the country. duties TO "h'cn
no new member would be assigned OF
would be capable of performing.
Particularly in a iuncture suc'l as
now confronts the Federal govern
ment should Virginia democrats &c
SLOW to dispense with the services OF
representatives who have signa'sF
demonstrated both zeal and capacity
N dealing with problems OF the
oraycst and most difficult nature L
any one of them has heen founI
wanting in zeal or patriotism or re
c-eant to the cause Of liberty anu
humanity, that would furnish suffi-
Gent ground for substituting al
other in his place. But so Tar as the
.ecord shows, the democrats in the
Virginia delegation are upgrudglnE
and efficient co-laborers with freSl-
dent Wilson in unfolding the rights
and ,vjndicating the honor OF the ma
ton against foes without and wlthlo.
That Such support has not been u'i.-
versaily contributed n times OF
crisis lis another cogeat reason WHY
thoSei who have stood the cruciai
TEST. the faithful among faitnless
found; should recei> : the encomlum,
iWelE done" and be reinvested vita
power and responsibility. This is 40
ianctare for fomentjng fractional dli-
ferences or promoting persona! AM
oitions. Petty issues must DC suhos.
oinated TO. that which is supreme
end nstsDcohtroversies be postponed
% s more convenient season. far':-
sauship cuts a sorry tigurewhen n
tru,;cs -:ts,;, slatters. Of such p'th ana
uomcn: as are demanding the an
divided consideration of every ioyai
American. There Us sagenesS OF
counsel in the homely adage which
warns against swapping horses While
crossin. $ stream To hold fast TO-
that which is good is an lnJun-Won
never 10 be safely ignored. The dem
ccrats Of Virginia Will, IN our iu'ia-
n,ent. best conserve their own in
taresrs and those OF the country Al
large by continuing TO their pres.
ant Spokesman in Washington 1n..
trust: now raposed in them.
The above i from the Norfolk
I;rginiaI. Pilot Of the l4th instant,
and It should be reprinted III every
Democratic paper in the state aud
read carefully by each member OF
the organization.