The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-01-10
The Political Situation.
for fbo DicDafcb

The prospects OF Democratic success in
1884 are indeed exceedingly bright. But
work, prudence, sagacity, and statesman
shin are necessary TO insure it. The Re-
publicans will never relinquish control OF
the national Government without 4 despe-
rate struggle. Severely rebuked and repu-
dated by nearly every State in the North,
they will make q determined effort to make
up their losses there by corresponding
gains in the South. But would it
not be remarkably strange to see the
South rallying to the support OF a
party Just repudiatcd by the North ?
They doubtless, however, expect to accom-
plish more by the use of the Federal
patronage, the cry Of Bourbonism," ap-
peals to passion and prejudice, and efforts
TO divide on local issues the Democratic
party. than by appealing to the good sense
and intelligence OF the people, or the adj
vocacy Of sound political principles. Let
the people be on the alert, and see to it
that they are misled by no false issues.
The Democratic party in every State in the
Union should be periecting their organi-
cation preparatory TO entering the field in
good fighting trim in that great national
contest. They have an opportunity OF
winning 4 splendid victory. All they have
to do is to fully take advantage OF it,
Virginia will he expected TO occupy her
proper place in the victorious column OF
| Democratic States. Thus Republicans
| likely think that she is one OF those States
on whose electoral vote they may count in
| 1881; but we have il in our power to dis.
appoint them. The small majority accord
ing to the returns) by which the Coalition
carried the State in the last election may
he easily overcome. We have reason 10
believe that good many voted the CoalI-
| ton ticket who will, when given another
| opportunity to choose between the Re-
publican party and the Democratic par
/ ty, lnhcsitatingly vote the Democratic
ticket. Then we are firmly convinced that
a. good many Rcadiuslers did not vote at
! all, unwilling TO vote what they knew to be
the Republican ticket, and not quite ready
TO fall into line with those TO whom they
| had lately been so bitterly opposed on the
debt question. IL WAS hardly to be eX-
pCcted that we could reclaim in one fight
| all who had acted with the Coalition on
| that question. But when the issue between
Democracy and RadicaliSm is again square
" Joined our enemies will be astOnished at
the earnostness and decision with which
these men will fall into the Democratic
line.
But little can be accomplished without
thorough and efficient organization. We
are convinced that there should be held a
State CONVENTION for the purpose Of re-
organizing the Democratic party and adopt
ing platform more suited TO the changed
condition OF affairs than the ones heYeto-
fore adopted. AS the Dispatch said few
days since, "there has been no authorita-
tive declaration OF the principles and pur-
poses Of the party since 1881, notwith-
standing the settlement of the State debt,
or rather the turning over to the courts of all
questions connected with that debt, has rem
dered the platforms heretofore adopted out
of date and inappropriate" We should
have platform upon which may consis-
tently stand all who are in favor OF co.
operating with the Democratic party Of the
country.
We will say nothing about any particu-
lar time at which the convention should be
held or the many questions likely to come
up before ii for consideration.
January 7, 1883. LAKEHEART.