The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-11-08
WEDNESDAY EVENING, Nov s, 1871.
THE REASON WHY.

We have no doubt great disappointment
is felt by members of the Republican par
ty over the largely increased majority by
which we were defeated. The general IN
quiry this morning is, show is it possible
our enemies have obtained so large ma
jority?" The answer is plain and simple,
and we give it the more readily, in view oil
the fact, that yesterday is not likely to be
the last time we will have a lick at them.
Here it is in plain English. While many |
colored men worked nobly at the polls,
with an occasional exception white men OF
the party were too modest or ashamed to
offer tickets Of the party, to voters. These
colored men were in several instances de-
barred from pushing themselves, by rough
answers of voters and others who would
not have dared acted so towards white
men, Some of our candidates refused to
contribute dollar, or take any interest in
the election, while the Democratic candi-
dates were busy from the time of their
nominations, and liberal in furnishing means
for success. There were hundreds of car
riages, decked with Conservative banners
and notices, buslly driven through our
streets, in search of voters, while there
were comparatively few in the service Of Re-
publicans.
A number of colored men voted the
Democratic ticket, while no white men but
Republicans voted ours.
Nine-tenths of the workers employed by
our side, labored for pay. while the prin-
cipal part of the Democratic workers were
volunteers. The latter always fight better
than conscripts.
When Republican documents were to be
circulated, somebody must be paid to do it
when Democratic documents were circu-
lated. it was done gratuitously.
Now, fellow Republicans, we have given
YOU few of the reasons for our defeat,
and there remains one more to be told, and
that is an important one. There were
more Democratic voters in Richmond yes
terday than there were Republicans. We
do not pretend to say that by different man
agement this large majority can be readily
overcome, but we do say it may be largely
decreased. A number Of colored mel
were away from the city at work, whilt
few Democrats were absent. The party
wants these men back again, or in thel
stead it wants some who are now Demo
Gratis 10 come over to our side.
How this is to be accomplished, remains
f,r us in the future to discover.
Left to itself in Virginia, Democracy will
soon become so corrupt, and so disgust tn
people of the State, as that they will no
consent to remain united with it.
The constant growing poverty OF Virginia
the emigration of her young men to NOR
prosperous States, the entire cessation o
Northern emigration to Virginia will, i'll tn
course of time, convince the sensible men c
the State that State pride and boasted chiv
airy will not pay their taxes, nor fill thel
empty mouths, but that SOMETHING mus
be done for her improvement.
: When convinced, as a few years more o
bitter experience will certainly do, tina
without means from elsewhere, the pride
the American Union will rank with he
poorest sisters, then, and not till then, ma
we hope to see our best men in harmon
with the great national party.
Let us be true and faithful to our part
principles; let US discard personal amb
tons; let US renew our allegiance to I'll
Union, and stand by the flag OF our coul
try. Defeat is often necessary and instru'
tive, and if we are true to ourselves W
shall in the end accomplish great and las
ing victory.