The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-09-25
The Issues of the Campaign.

The following article presents the issues
OF the campaign as they appear to be to an
intelligent observer who does not concur
In all respects in the views which we have
heretofore set forth:
Our Democratic speakers have been
dwelling especially and with good effect,
rs we have reason TO know, upon the as
sumption that the chief issue OF the canvass
is Democracy against Stalwart Republican
ism. Nothing could be truer In one sense,
but II Is not all OF the truth. While these two
terms distinguish the two political parties,
and under any circumstances would pre-
sent a contrast which should be sufficient
to determine the course Of every Virgin
ian, they do not bring out the situation in
all OF ts gravity. In fact, any question
affecting State or Federal governmental
policy that IS associated with The canvass Is q
secondary consideration compared with the
issue that Is behindi IT,. The effort OF The Co
alitior leaders TO deliver the State OF VIZ
ginia over TO Arthur is bad enough, but
theNonsequences will not stop with poll
teal bargain and sale, whereby greed for
office will be satisfied. The end will not
be with the exhaustion Of the places, high
and low. in State and Federal GIFT. This,
reuulSiye as Il u 10 contemplate. docs not
complete The picture, or tell the Whole
story OF the issues involved in the struggle.
In the proper sense OF the term, the pres
ent canvass can hardly be called poliilcai
fight at all as far as Virginia j. concerned.
Since the elimination OF the debt contr0-
versy from our poltics-eveiy sophism 10
the contrary notwithstanding-the struggle
has been for The survival OF the tittest. In
plain language. the question in Virginia
is social one. Unless we m.sread the
signs Of the times. the giavest issue involved
is the integrity Of the social fabric. 1t is a
struggle between the intelligent, the re-
fined, and the cultiyatcd-the elements that
give stability TO socicty-on the one hand,
and the ignorant, the vindictiye. and the
led by few demagOgues,
who reck not OF consequences so they at
tain power, on the other. Whichever side
wins must have the prepOnderating influ-
cncc i'm shaping the course OF social insti-
tutions in the state.
Coalition success means negro police
men on the streets OF our towns and cities;
negro aggression in the direction OF our
educational system, which is equivalent TO
its destruction: gradual encroachment
upon every social prerogatiye by an infe-
rior race; and ultimately, perhaps, mixed
schools. II means iconoclasm and retro
erosion from every standpoint from which
il is viewed. Democratic success means
the entirety of the social structure
and educational progress and develop
ment, on which conditions depend
the life of any community. II was
the recognition Of these facts that impaired
such healtinoss and carnestneSS TO the re-
of the party at Lynchburg
that has caused such men as Wickham TO
subordinate the party convictions OF years
10 a sense of duty and align themselves
with the Democracy, and that has led ORR
ginal ReadjuSterS all over the State 10 for
get and forgive the bitterness OF past con-
and come out from among the
allies.
Yet there are those who should be with
Us who are still blind!y infatuated with
Coalition, who ale lethargic, or who have
not risen superior TO personal feeling or
have not awakened to full
realization Of what is at stake. And for
his reason il would seem to behoove our
speakers not TO mince matters. In the
light OF recent developments we cannot
liIord TO indulge in distractions. As the
canvass progresses it becomes more and
more evident that the time has come
Tor calling a spade spade ana
discussing the social aspects Of the struggle
in language that cannot be mistaken by the
dullest. This is the plain lesson taught us
by the negroes. All is to be gained and
nothing can be lost by such a course. With
no intention OF debating TO the Democratic
leaders, we would suggest that the people
must he made TO understand that we must
win the fight for the honor OF the past,
'or the hope of the future, for the protection
If ON fresides-that the superior race must
dictate the social policy OF Virginia or
make up their minds to be like
slaves turn'd DER to the vanquish'd by the
VctOrs"
We have faith enough in the integrity
and manhood OF Nirginians, however. to
believe that If this aspect OF the canvass
is presented as our canyasSerS can present
il, and recent events Justify them in pre-
Senting il, short rs Is the time between
now and election the most Indifferent can
be thoroughly aroused. and hundreds in
duced TO renew their allegiance to the De-
Tarty who now affiliate with the
C0alitiOnists. Daily evidence is accumu-
lating to show that the negroes OF Virginia
consider this their fight, and the Coalition
leaders their champions. Only Thursday
night negro meeting held i'm Richmond,
in reallirming the allegiance OF the race to
the Readiuster party. made the following
declaration
Whereas the present political status Of
the state Of Virginia has assumed so inn
pOriant IN aspect i'm so far as our political
rights are concerned, and our debt OF
gratitude is so apparent, we deem it now
proper, timely, and eXpcdient 10 show our
appreciation and gratitude by a united and
unfaltering action i'll behalf OF the great
Liberal party
Every sensible man in Virginia knows
that as far as the negroes political rights
are concerned they are sufficiently guaran-
tced; and he has only to read between the
lines OF the paragraph quoted, and keep in
view the agitation over the appointment OF
negro school trustees. to understand that
the negroes look to the social results Of the
canvass. Crediting the Coalition leaders
with all they claim, that they are opposed
TO mixed schools and their concomitant
social evils, the fact is not disproyed that
their negro constituency are in favor OF
them, and that they regard victory as the
beginning of the end in social aggression.
-------------------
The Northern Neck NeuS, speaking OF
the effect of the speech OF Hon. JOHN
GOODE at Lancaster Courthouse last Mon
day. says that the leading and certainly the
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