Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-11-06
1,e ,rdenenaent Movement.


Aside from results the Independent
movement. which has attracted 80 large q
share OF public attention during the can
vsss, ~ q most healthy sign OF the times.
No element has ever been developed in Our
politics that has been subjected TO more vi
tuperation. The Radical organs have fire.
auently verged on indecsncy in the abuse
that they have besped upon them. Every
opprobious epItbet that did not trench
uron the domain OF positive vulgsriiy has
been applied TO them. Traitors, mug
wun ps, dudes, Ptarisees, scaIawags, aud
= buudrcd other names have sprinkled the
columns Of the Radical papers in dealing
with them, and from the beginning to the
end Of the canvass they have been misrcp-
resented in no less virulent terms than
have beea the southern people.
However. the Independents deserve aud
should receive the thanks Of the country.
While We have not been disposed to make
any result dependent upon the Inde-
pendent vote, white at this writing we do
not know how far that vote may have af-
feeted the outcome In any State, and
while we have nothing In party sense in
common with Republicanism, independent
or otherwise, We can admire and applaud
their motives; we can unite with the people
In thanking them for the stand they have
tsken against corruption and for the vim
dicstion OF honesty and American honor.
In showing that American manhood and
American patriotism can rise superior to
party ties, they have sown seed that must
bring forth good fruit. In the matter Of
patty awards they had ell 10 lose 10 the
tight. They burned the bridges behind
then so far ~ Republican Administration
WIS concerned, and hoped for nothing from
a Democratic Administration beyona the
keeping OF the pledge that the Democracy
would reform the Government. They have
affiliated with the Democratic party not be-
cause il was the party that had every pros.
pect Of success. bot because il represented
common honesty, which ~ the foundation
stone Of = government Of the people, fer
the people, and by the people. They made
common cause with their old enemies On
the question Of public duty. and on that
alone. They have demonstrated that no
matter bow dsrk and lowering the clouds
msy be there is hope in the people, and
that down deep IN the inner sane
iuaiy Of the popular conscience the
lamp Of virtue stiil burns. No matter
what may be the character OF the Admin
Isiration for the next four years. the posi-.
ton Of the Independents is - spectacle
that should give strength and courage to
the nation. Psrties may come and parties
may 70, constitutions may be violated fer
the time being. aud individual rights may
he ignored. corruption may run riot for a
long season, sud passion NAV usurp the
place Of reason, even anarchy may reign,
and the mailed hand Of desps,ism threaten.
but ~ long a. the spark OF pitri-
stism is alive in the public heart.
ss long a. love OF country smoul.
dcrs and Is not entirely quenched.
liberty cannst die. A. long as any portion
IL the people have faith in themselves. are
true TO themselves, sre loyal 20 tradition,
the republic will hive. We Iepest that
aside from results, the Independent move
meut IL healthy sign Of the times. II
tells US to trust the people regardless of
what Of woe may Temporarily betids.