The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-08-08
The Outlook in the valley.

We have recently been through three OF
the strongest Democratic counties IN the
Valley, and have conyersed Win DOM Re-
adiusters and Funders. We have not taken
the opinons of the LEADERS," but have
talked freely with the voters. These c0lln-
ties, with two others in this Valley, are
largely counted on In every presidentai
election between Democrats and Republic
cans-they have rolled up majorities varying
from $500 to nearly twice as many. 1t Is
our Judgment that the maioritles given TO
either one OF the Hancock tickets now in the
field in the next election will not reach half
that. though IL combined (the carvassing is
so Thoroughly they would be much larger
than ever before. We assume TO know
nothing of the complexion OF the vote in
Eastern Virginia, though we infer that
something OF the same sort prevails over
there. III we are correct, what is the pros
pect IL even ordinary means are used by
the Republicans, and we may rest assured
that extraordinary means VIII be put IN
operatlon to prevent the success OF the
Hancock ticket. When we remember the
campaign OF 1876, who doubts that the
Republican panty OF the United States
will make Herculean efforts with money
and men to carry Virginia and If they do,
what is to save it? They have nest-egg OF
40. 600 c,lored votes with their capiation
paid. Forty thousand dollars worth OF
votes more, paid up, will put their party
beyond the reach OF the strongest efforts
OF the split Democracy. 1t is claimed that
the Readiuster Hancock ticket will get
some OF this vote! Not a corDoraPs guard
OF il, That the Republicans will aid the
Resdiuster organization is true, but not
their Hancock ticket. That this aid will
be given in the congressional districts to
break down the Democratic nominees,
and given literally, we do not doubt but
here It will end. We see not the slightest
possibility for the ReSdiuster Hancock
electors ever being summoned to Richmond
10 cast their vote for him, and all eXpecta-
| lions to that end are idle. Calculate that
they could poll every Democrat for the in
dependent ticket that they polled for Re-
adjustment, and take their own fig
ures, and they would only poll $4,000.
| or course they cannot do that, for
| a large percentage OF these Demo-
cratic voters hold that The present
struggle has no connection with the debt
question. They can draw no more Demo-
cratic voters to their electoral ticket now,
though it is unquestonable that they may
| find acces>i0ns IN the State fight in 1881.
| The Only chance is that the other wing OF
the party, which starts with one or two
| thousand less, may be augmented sufficiently
from the Democratic Readiusters to beat
the Republicans. That is good hope--it
is reasonable hope for the deiverance Of
the State. But II this should not be realized
We believe that the masses OF the voters
OF the two wings OF the party in the State
are men voting their conscientious convic-
lions: but there are some in both who, be-
sides these convictions, have superadded
the quiet consciousness that they are safe
I'm any event as far as advancement is con-
cerned. On the Funder side there are men
who are smart enough in politics to know
that no matter how the State goes, IL the
national Democratic party carries the
general election, the regular Democrats in
the State will be the "recoguized wing,
and that they will fall heir TO all the profits
OF that recognition in the way OF per-
sonal advancement. And on the Reid
justers' side there are men who think that,
however the State may go now, 1t is safe
for their party in 1881, and that their adj
vancement is secure in the future, as it is
In some localities in the present. But there
are over hundred thousand Democrats
i'm Virginia who have no interest in this
election except the general welfare, no per-
sOnal, no private ends to subserve, and
while not calling in question the motives Of
any, it is TO these last that we look for any
conservative, patriotic movement the end
of which will be the rescue Of this Com
mon wealth from the political disgrace OF
Republican electors casting her electoral
vote