The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-04-22
The Preliminary Contest.

arc 10 be elected this year. In Connccu-
on, Iowa. Kentucky, Nebraska, Nevada,
New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Virginia
Legislatures are to be elected. Already the
notes Of preparation are heard in the State
of Ohio. That State Is so large, and has
had heretofore so great an influence upon
the politics OF The country at large, that II
attracts at present much more attention
than does any other one OF the states
which will hold elections next ial.
The fact that there is a Governor
to be elected I'M Ohio this year and
none in New York, puts ONO ABOVE
New York in the public mind, ana aodS
TO the interest which would naturally DC
felt I'm the Ohio elections n those OF state
exercising a controlling influence upon
other States. "Nothing succeeds Ike sue
cess" and, not excepting the total rout
OF the Coaltionists in Virginia, nothing
could happen which would be better calcu-
lated 10 dispirit the Republicans ana IN
spirit the Democrats than the success OF
the Democratic nominee FOR Governor OF
Ohio next November. Such success
might even have the effect OF causing PEN
pLrroy or TnuEaAS 70 be nominated for
President OF the United States next year
by the Democratic National Convention.
But the National Democratic party ought
to understand that there is an election to be
held in Virginia this year which must, or
ot any rate may, have a very decided IN
fiuencc upon the Presidential election OF
next wear. Ohio is a large State, but WITH
out attempting to bclittle Ohio, we can say
that II Is a doubtful State, and has not
heretofore been included amongst those
which II was necessary for the Demo-
Gratis to carry il they would elect the
President Of the United states. The
vote Of Virginia, on the other hand,
has always been set down both as III
dispensablc and as certain TO be cast for
the Democratic nominee. Virginia VIII
cleo, no Governor this year; but she will
elect q Legislature; and il that Legislature
shall be controlled by the CoalitioniSts. the
Republicans will take new heart, and re-
double their efforts TO carry for their nomi-
nee for President not only this state but
all the southern States which they suppose
could be Influenced by the result in Nir-
oinia. 4 defeat OF the Democrats in
VIRGINIA next November would there
fore De rightfully regarded as a triumph
in the interest of the national Republican
party not much less important than vic
tory in OHIO. The Washington Republican
constantly champions the cause OF these Co.
altionist>, and as constantly recognizes
themas faithful allies" OF the Republican
party. The claim that they are "Liberals"
or Rcadjusiers will not prevent them
from casting their votes next year for the
nominee of the Republican party for Presi-
dent OF the United States. 1t is true to-
day, as ever. that there can be hut two
great national parties in this country at
once. The members of every local orSani-
cation or faction or party confined TO one
State will neces sarily grayitatc towards one
or the other OF those great parties. 1t is
impossible that it should be otherwise.
Ii, then, the CoalitionistS carry Virginia
next November, it will not only strengthen
them here at home but with the Admins
tration at Washington and with the Repub-
lican party Of the country. twill encour-
age them to hope that they can carry Viz
ginia over to the Republican party next
wear. COnccde, for the sake Of argument, |
that they now constitute local 0rganiza- |
ton, brought together upon local issues, !
is il not certain that they must next year
lose sight OF those local issues and for the
time being at least cease to be local
organization and become part and par
Gel of one of the great national par
ties? Surely nobody will deny this. The
experience Of 1850 proves that they must
unite with one or the other OF those par
ties. Which will it be? The result in
1880 answers this question, when that re-
suit is taken in connection with the fur
Their fact that the 81 900 Tor most OF them
who voted for HANCOCK have formed a co.
alition with the $4,000 Tor most Of them)
who voted for GARFIELD. The S4, 900 will
be sure TO control the 81 900, and the CO.
alitionists as a body must support the Re
publican nominee for President OF the
United states.
We submit, then, to the national De-
mocracy that they are, or ought to be. as
much concerned as TO the result in Nir-
ginia next fall as to the result in Ohio.
DO not impress it upon the Virginia Demo
Gratis that thew eau carry Virginia next
year whether they carry it this year or
no.. rs goes Virginia in 1883, so il will
he apt TO 30 in 1881.