Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-09-06
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presents candidates whose records
snow constructive and successful
service. whose character and abiu
Ties give definite promise of perform
ance. IL the people want a change
OF management they can get IT,
The answer rests with each indi-
fiduai citizen OF Virginia.
The Democratic machine does not
desire to face the suffering and dis
susted people OF this Commonwealth
upon their record in the past or their
utter want of program for the future.
Ihey are already seeking to avoid a
discussion OF State issues by raising
u smoke screen" OF nationa! issues
which are in no way involved i'm this
campaign and cannot be affected by
the results; BY appeals to party 10y
atty and party obligations" and
ny every other device known to poIi-
ties. But ask them What about
virginia." Tho task before us is
one Of cleaning house in Virginia.
What do they propose? Nothing,
Both the party and the candidate are
without policies and without plat
form.
Can We wInf
They tell you that the Republican
rarity does noi expect to win. Again
they arc mistaken. Men who at any
sacrifice can open tho window ami
let In the sunlight OF freedom to
the oppressed people OF virginia,
who can point the way along the
aHer-rising path of truth. have al
ready caught the spirit OF victory.
fhey realize that the task is difficult;
To spread the truth. to overcome the
political inertia of the people. to meet
and overthrow the embattled legions
OF ofiicc-holdcrs in every hamlet of
this old Commonwealth. But II can
be done. The task which confronted
washington mt Valley Forge was diff
fcult. The task which confrontci
jackson Mt Fort Republic. or Lee at
Second Manassas was difficult. Every
struggle of mankind for freedom
against entrenched power or privi-
lege has heen diflicult. But when
the souls OF men are fred by love
OF freedom, when their hearts are
inspired by love OF country. when
they fight with the flaming sword OF
truth. victory is sure.
Nature liz often wastetul of ma
terial things. hut It is never wasteful
OF the spirit. Deep I'm the hearts
OF the people Of Virginia still lives
the spirit OF Washington and OF Lee,
and OF tho great Virginians who have
Followed tho path OF sacrifice for
freedom. and written the name of
this state upon pages OF immortality.
IL that spirit can be touched by the
spark OF truth: II 1t can be awakened
TO the need OF Virginia II will lamc
again and from the valleys and
plains Of this old Commonwealth will
come forth the lcgions OF her chill
dren to win q victory for free Wiz
ginia.
Every question in Its last analysis
becomes one Of right or wrong. We
believe that the present political
system in Virginia Is wrong; that
II Is founded upon repression. and
Is destructive OF human freedom: that
II is utterly immortal and cannot en-
durc. We believe that the whole
rotten structure must he swept away;
that the spirit OF freedom and love OF
Justice must be revived in the hearts
OF our people; that our civilization
must be founded. not upon reprcssive
law, but upon the sound impulses OF
the human heart, guided by con-
science. expanding to every need, and
responsive TO the peoples will.
Anyone who is familiar with pres
ent conditions in the world at large,
and In this State, must realize that
Virginia Is now facing serious
crisis in it's social. political and eco.
nomio life. The world has just passed
through great upheaval In which
over 1926 billions OF wealth has been
destroyed, and twelve million men
have been killed or ma lined; by which
the political and economic structure
of civilization is seriously impaired
In few years this wreckage will be
swept away, the present confusion
VIII give place to definite purpose.
and the task will be begun of re-
building the structure of civilization
upon broader moral, political AMI
economic basis than has ever before
been attained. when this time comes
when the world has again found its
hearings America with It's great
natural wealth will enter upon
period OF social and Industrial
progress unequailed In modern his
tory. Any man or community to take
effective part in this great movement
must be politically and economically
free, ready for prompt adjustment to
the rapid social and industrial
changes which are Inevitable. In its
present condition, Virginia will be
helpless 10 meet this situation; ut
terly unable TO take any effective
part In the march of progress to
higher levels of political and eco
nomic life. With It's political life in
the grip of relentless and sinister
political machine: with no adequate
facilities for the education and train
ing OF its youth; with its economic
life stilied by cumbersome and in
efficient government. and destruc-
tive tax system, Virginia cannot start
in this race. or hope to keep step
In this march OF progress. with all
Its resources II will be left upon the
side track Of civilizati lion. playing no
adequate part among the free and
progressive forces which are To build
for the world OF the future higher
and better civilization than that OF
the past. IL we are to avoid this
condition. we must have n change OF
management. and n reorganization of
our government from top to bottom
The remedy is in the hands of the
people.
So we appeal over the heads OF the
political ring. 10 the hearts and
minds OF the people OF Virginia. We
appeal to no section. hut to a people
bound together by love OF Virginia,
in whose hearts Is borne the indy
ing image of one united State. We
appeal to no class. but to all of the