Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-10-07
The Fourth, District.

To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
Your correspondent Independent CIV.
identity did rot understand either the DRIFT
or intent Of my article in last Mondays
Dispatch about the Fourth congressional
district. or he would not have written his
incoherent and disiointed reply.
The sole purpose OF my article was TO
arouse the Democrats OF that district 20 a
proper sense OF the Important bearing OF
the vote OF that district upon TIE general
count OF the presidential vote in the State,
and 10 impress them with the fact that IL IL
far more important TO carry the electoral
vote for Cleveland than IL is 10 elect a con-
gresham in The black belt, or TO defeat
either Brady or Evans.
Was there anything wrong or imperti-
nent in this on the part OF lifelong DEM
oorat. though not resident Of the district
The question Is not purely district one,
but STATE matter Of grave and vital inn
poriance IN the general result. The cleo
toral vote 81 the whole State may turn on
the Republican majority in that district.
Is il not the right and the duty, therefore.
Of every good Democrat in The State by hi;
advice and vote TO help keep that majority
down 10 the lowest figure?
Now, il by nominating Democratic can
dIdaie fer Congress this important result
can be best accomplished, why, say at
once, maze The nomination, for that will
be in accordance with the precise ann OF
my article. But neither the facts nor fig
ures presented by " Independent indicate
10 my mind any such result. but only 90 TO
prove what | sAid-tbat the Republican
majority in the district is far greater than
the total Democratic cote, and that, conse-
quently, While the election OF Democrat
is next TO impossible, the nomination
Of such a candidate would most prob
ably only intensity the fight between
Brady and Evans. and help swell the
Republican majority Tor Blaine and Logan
Besides. a Democrat who won't come out
10 vote for Cleveland aud Hendricks
could hardly be coaxcd out 10 vote for any
man that might be nominated for Congress
just to be beaten, as all other nominees
have heretofore been. Thi; is not an "oii
year" to require any such special agency
10 rally the party vote.
But "Independent objects 10 my sug-
gestiOn that the Democrats should "cOp-
per on ErdnS" in order 10 WIN votes for
Cleveland. and says that il he were TO
cooper" at all it would be on Brady.
Very well. lie, him % copper" II he
IltAlN illf AIU& NNliNiAANA' W lANdtirs
let him sw0p his vote with Brldy man
for Cleveland, and il will be one vote
gained for our electoral ticket and nothing
lost. But | suggested Evans because
was under the impression that every
Democrat IN the district would pre-.
fer the election of Evans, though
a negro. TO Brady, and therefore would
rather cooper" on him to win. The
Democrats Of the "b'QCk" state OF Mich-
gan are coppering" on Ben. Butler, and
will most probably win seven OF the cIec-
tors Of that Republican State for Cleveland
and Hendricks. In other "back" Re-
publcan States and districts the Democrats
are doing the same sensible thing. Is there
any reason in the world why the good
Democrats OF the "black district" OF the
South Side shouldn't adoptthe same method
10 make votes for Cleveland? On the con-
traIy. are there not at least tlcO Oyerwhelm-
Ing reasons why they should cooper "
On Eyans-namtly First, to help defeat
he "riny" candidate. and secondly to
gain Republican votes for Cleveland? A.
rays clap for the sander dog" IN q .fght.
md sometimes it is wise 10 "swap the
devil for the witch"
But let the assembled Democracy OF the |
Fourth district wisely and harmOnIously
settle the matter in the Convention on Tues
LAY. COMMON SENSE.