The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-08-30
S.oo and Reflect.

topics as uttered by any Of the three
parties In Virginia he worthy OF consider
alton, the coming congressional contest VIII
involve seriously the future prosperity
OF Virginia. The major proposition be-
ing granted, It must be admitted that
when you cast your vote next fall you
perform very important act, and 1t follows
that YOU should reflect seriously before. so
doing. Atno time between this and election
day will the minds Of voters be freer from
excitement OF less blinded by passion than
now. We therefore ask Virginians, OF
whatever shade Of political opinion, TO en-
ter with us upon q calm and dispassionate
statement OF the issues involved in the
coming campaign, and in the solution OF
the question: In what way can our vote
best serve the interests OF this Common
wealth. from which the interests OF every
true vlrginian are inseparable!
On the Tth of November next the votes
OF Virginians are to elect ten representa-
tiyes to the National Congress OF the
United States; one from each oil the nine
congressional districts and one representa-
tive at large. Candidates have been nomi-
mated by three distinct parties. The Dem
ocrats have already placed their Standard
bearers in every district except the
Second, Fourth, and Ninth. The Co
alitionists have placed candidates IN
every district except the Second, whilst
the Straightout Republicans have cam
didate for congressman at large ana
one for the Second district, with a
probability Of others. All Of them, whether
Democratic, Coaitionist, OF Straightout
Republican, are soliciting your votes, and
each Of them pledging himself, IL elected
10 that high position in the councils OF the
nation, to represent you faithfully accord
ing TO the principles Of the party under
whose banner he shall have been victorious.
This being the state Of the case, it be-
hooyes us to carefully consider-frst,
what are the three parties and the dis
tinctive principles Of national legislation
they have advocated and are still adyocat-
ing for the good Of the people? and, Sc
cond, by voting for the candidates OF
which OF these parties can Virginians best
advance the interests of their State and
the material prosperity and happiness OF
its citizenss
While the natural answer TO the first in
CURRY might seem to be found by placing
side by side the platforms Of these three
parties and contrasting their planks or prin-
ciples as therein set forth, it will be found
upon investigation to be thoroughly unsatis-
factory. First, on account Of the general and
vague principles, clothed in high-sOunding
phraseology, with which these instruments
usually abound, they are susceptible OF va
rious interpretations. And then one at |
least OF these three parties has really no |
platform Of its own setting forth its policy |
in national issues. Let us, therefore, pro-
coed in our inquiry. What are the three |
parties and the distinctive principles OF
national legislation they have advocated
and are still advocating for the good of the
people?
The Democratic party of Virginia, which
places its congressional candidates before
you, is composed OF at least four-fifths Of
the white voters OF the State, and as a nat |
ural consequence OF this fact and the Sc
quence OF recent events in our history, |
possesses in its ranks Overwhelmingly the
wealth and intelligence Of this Common
wealth. And Just as with civilization |
comes the desire for law and order, so with !
the higher and more intelligent commune
ties are TO be found the motives for the
best forms OF government. The Democratic
party has therefore per force Of all natural
law prominently the motive for advocating
the legislation that will secure the greatest
good to the people. Indeed, for years past
its representatives in Congress have con-
sidered no task too difficult when battling
for the rights OF their constituents. And
during the last session Of Congress, when
combating the most bitter partisanry Of
Stalwart Republicanism, aided by rene
gade Virginia representative and senator,
the Virginia. Democratic congressman
fought nobly for the rights and interests Of
the Old Dominion, and left nothing undone
that could be done Tor her welfare.
The next party which offers congress
sional candidates for your votes is the
Coalition" 1t is composed in part OF
some OF the white Democrats who were
Readiusters in recent State issues, many
OF the white Republicans, and the balance
OF colored Republicans Except the large
number who may choose TO vote for DAw-
SOM, who furnished the votes whereby the
State offices were carried in 1881. The chief
representative OF this party is found in the
person OF General WILLIAM MALONE, who,
elected United States senator by Demo-
cratic votes in 1879, and subsequently with
his party active in support Of their indie
pendent HANCOCK electoral ticket, has
since he took his seat had abundant oppor-
tunity to show what in national legislation
his party is disposed to insist upon
Tor the good OF the people. What
has he done during his term in the
councils OF the nation for the material
prosperity OF Virginia or the good OF her
peopleY Elected. as we said above, by
Democratic votes, and Wanting his supe-
rior Democracy, it is natural to suppose
that be would have voted with the Demo-
Gratis. Did he do it? The Record shows
TO the contrary-that he voted inconsist-
emily and persistently. not merely with the
Republicans and against his Democratic
colleague, but he became party to every
extreme act OF the enemies OF the South.
the Observation-Disclosures Republicans.
His lieutenant, PAUL, in the House,
10 f,ixf - =