The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-05-06
Tho Issues.

Tho stauulou Tindicot0r Is In favor OF
,ot,nc a breathing spell. II says:
"Those Democratic newspapers th9t the
Coalition press can draw into campaigning
ahout This time arc unwittingly permitting
themselves 10 be made use OF by the en-
.rmv. There Is absolutely no public ques-
tion NJ issue In Virginia that can he settled
until next fall. Then the question VIII pe
whether a Legislature shall be elected tnal
will gcrfymander the congressional aus
tricts so as 10 send eight members from 'lr-
GINA 10 oppose the national Democrs'lc
party, anu but two to supportf, or whether
\ Legislature shall he chosen which vii re-
fnse 10 do this. This question will doubt
less get is full discussion before the people
on the hastings and IN the press at the pro-
per time
yireinians are always politicians. In
season and out Of season, when elections
are Just about 10 be held and when they
arc six or even twelve months Oh, the
average Nirginian Is always ready for q
talk or a dissertation on politics. This
fcndnc.s for discussing policies and pro-
liabilities l. a taste which Virginia journals
have always found il necessary TO crafty to
"A greater or less extent. Ii there were no
local elections 70 be held In this state next
fall II Is highly probable that our people
would now be talking and writing about
the next presidential election.
We think that the Vindicater Is on the
right tack. The one issue which must In
some form be made prominent in The next
November elections, and the one issue
upon which we can gain a victory II we
can gain ono at all. i the alliance OF the
Coalitiouists with the Republican party OF
the Union. If the people Of Virginia can
be mace 70 understand that u victory fol
the Coalitionists this year will probably re-
suit in a victory for the Republicans next
year. thea they may be relied upon 20 do q,
they did in 1850. We mean Of course The
white yoters-not the negro voters. These
last may he expected to vote at every cleo
ton. and without regard to any other H.
sue, for The party which will make the
most liberal concessions TO them.
We have suggested heretofore that The
Democrats ought not to trouble Themselves
too much about the issues to which Tho
Coalitionists will attempt TO give proml-
nencc. but should devote their efforts
almost exclusively TO the task of convincing
the people that the Coalitionists OF 1881
will necessarily be supporters on the Re
publican presidential nominee OF 1881. II
a Coaiiti0nist candidate for the Legislature
declare that local issues should this yeaI
override al Others, it is not necessary to
dispute with him rs to that position. ASH
Lin what party he intends to support merit
year. when none but national elections will
be held in Virginia.
The Vindicdtor adds TO our proposition
a practical suggestion OF value. 1t is that
Il good meaDs-and we might pronounce 1t
the best moans-of testing the sincerity Of
the professions of the Coalitionists as TO
the importance OF local issues Will be TO
compel them TO commit themselves upon
the question OF rearranging the congress
sional districts. The last Legislature en-
deavored so to redistrict the State as TO in
sure the election OF a majority OF Republic
cans. or, as the indicator states it, to
''gerrymander the congressional districts so
rs 10 send eight members from Virginia to
oppose tic National Democratic party, and
bat tioo 10 support IT," That issue will
have 4 tendency to drav a wel-deflned line
between the Democratic party OF Virginia
and the opposition party, and will enable
the voters TO judge fol themselves rs TO
where and how they should deposit their
ballots in order to effect the most good.
November is n long way OFF; and we par
ticipate in the indicators repugnance to
the everlasting trcad-mill Of politics. Par
tisan TOPICS are the easiest Of all subjects
to treat. They can always be resortcd 10
when "there's nothing to write about"
Nevertheless, as the Good Book says, it is
necessary TO have slime upon line and pre-
c,pt upon precepi." Otherwise the ene-
my VIII sow tares in our wheat while we
are asleep.