Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-07-17
Aword OF Caution.

A Washington special 10 the New YORK
World says:
Secretary stephen d. Elkins. Of the Rs
publican Nationsi Committee. was in the
caty Tuesday on bis way 10 New York. lie
confirms the statements already published
that the Republicans win make an earnest
fight IN the South this year. ut Ia about
time,y he said, talking OF the Repnb-
hcan prospects In the South. "that we
should do something in that section.
We have not yet determined definitely
upon our line Of policy IN that sec
ton. but shall look the States all over.
carefully considering what they have doss
and wha. they are likely 10 do under cex-
tain circumstances. Wherever we see
there Il chance for Success we shall 90 to
work and work vigorously. Where there
is not mIsb OF course we shall not waste
our time"
Talking Of Virgins he said that strong
effort would be..made 70 carry that State.
He believed II would be possible to unite
the Regdiuster and Straghtout votes, aud
II this could and should he done the state
could he carried for Blaine.
We have heretofore mentioned reason
why the Republicans will try to carry
Florida. Her four votes might possibly
elect BLAME even though the votes Of New
York and Indiana were cast far CLEvE-
LAND. But Mr.. EIKISs has, we suspect
been candid only so far as one matter Is
concerned-n namely, In saying that the Re
publ,cans will not waste men or money on
States certain 10 vote for CLEVELAND, but
will 90 TO work and work vigorously
wherever there is chance for success.
Mr.. EIKIsYs talk about Virginia is all
bosh. 1t was meant to hide the real
purpose Of the Republicans, who will
spend neither time nor money on
Virginia, nor on West Virginia. nor on
Maryland, nor on Delaware, nor on North
Carolina, nor Kentucky, nor Tennessee,
nor Arkansas, nor Missouri, nor Georgia,
nor Alabama, nor Texas, but will couseA.
trate their efforts upon Florida, Louisisha,
Mississippi. and South Carolina. These
lasi.named States together cast thirty votes,
which would be sufficient number 10 cleo,
BLAINE even II New York, Oonnssticut,
New Jersey, Indiana, and California were
TO cast their votes for CLKvRLAzD. On the
other hand, substitute Massachusetts for
California, and CLEVELAND wssld Be
elected.
We would not undcrrsto the strength Of
the Republicans in Virginia. We would,
Of course, rather carry Virginia than any
other State. Weforssee that abundant scsu-
patton my be given this fall TO the oratsrS,
editors, and other workers in the Demo
cratic party OF Virginia. Bat we sasnst-
as al present sdvised-believe that the de-
moralized Nahoneites can hope In the
short space Of sixteen weeks to snsct
such a change Of purpose on ths
mart Of the voters Of this State
az would result In a victory for BLAINE. Ii
can't be done. Whatever the Blalneitss may
hope. There are eighty thousand moro
white than negro voters IN this State. AN
setiye, aggressive, vigorous campaign in
Virginia, therefore, is Just Whist would
bring out the voters and insure Demo-
cratic triumph, and therefore Just what Ar.
ELKISs will not be likely to make.
Let The National Committee Of the Demo
cratic party look first to Louisiana, Florida,
South Carolina, and Mississippi. For
years the Republicans have claimed these
States because a majority OF the voters in
them are negroes. This year tGey viii en-
deavor to make their claim good. They
mean mischief. They near trouble.
Their notion Is that II they can, by any
means, induce the negro voters TO 90 to
the polls, Republican victory will be as
sured In every State in which the negroes
constitute the majority OF the population.
We do not concede that any such result!
Will follow q full vote. But the negroes
are very excitsble, easily Influenced by
northern Republicans, and might be in.
ciined TO mass their votes againS. those OF
the whites II the whites fail to counteract
the efforts Of the northern Republicans in
this behalf.
Let us repeat that we would not inspire
undue confidence in the minds OF the Dem
Gratis of Virginia. We should regret that
we had written this article II II should have
any such effect. Our Object is to put tho
Democrats OF the whole country on their
guard. and 10 point out what our political
opponents plainly show that they consider
weak place in tho Democratic lines. At
the same time we would have the Demo-
Gratis OF Virginia fight IS II they knew uat
the election Of CLEVELAND depended upon
the vote OF this old Commonwealth.