The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-09-18
THE SITUATION IN VIRGINIA,

UP to hctt, tiitTt 10 ito Stiitt III the
Union where politics are 40 warm rs in
Virginia. The Republicans, led by that
plucky and indomitable organizer, Ma
hone, are making such vigorous and
telling fight to secure a fair election
whereby the full vote of the state may
be polled, and to make sure of the en-
tire Republican majority that there is
there, that the whole mass of the south
ern Bourbons are becoming frightened,
and meetings are being held in the
larger southern cities Ia raise funds with
which TO assist the Virginia brethren.
The Republican candidate for Governor,
Mr.. Wise, is making heroic canvass,
and being possessed Of plenty of that
fiery southern blood, the Democrats rec
ognize that they cannot frighten or in.
iimidate him. But with characteristic
energy and determination, they are re-
sorting Ia every sort of intimidation IL
frighten and coerce the colored man.
and many Of the Democratic papers are
advising n repetition Of the Danville ont
rage and calling upon the night-rider'
and shotgun clubs Ia take up theil
work again.
The great importance of victory in
Virginia 10 the Democracy, north and
south, is well understood, and money il
flowing IN plentifully from both sections
The leading papers of the south dwell
upon the overwhelming moment of the
campaign, and urge assistance for thei
Bourbon brethren i'm Virginia. The
Richmond Dispatch makes many signiti
cant observations, and speaks, amons
other things, of the "far-reaching re
suits" that will follow u Democratic vic
tory. After quoting from its southern
cotemporaries, il alleges the canvass il
Virginia is national one, and exiempo
rizes thus: "As regards the south espe
cially, the result of the November elec
ton will determine whether il will b,
worth while ever 10 attempt in the fnt
IRE Ia Shermanize any southern states
As regards the north. the good faith q
the VIII t-FtSt
bv the result" The Charleston New
and Courier, also gets thoroughly warm
ed up over the situation, and declare
that "if the Republicans succeed in Viz
ginia, Mahones and Wises and Riddle
beIgers will be found i'm all the othe
states, and like results will follow there
Virginia's cause is the cause of ever
southern state" In short il il elaine,
and openly acknowledged that the can
vass is the supreme test of the perma
: nency of the solid south.
Ii is desperate struggle, and Will
: the Republicans have unquestionably
good round majority in the state, the
are fighting at great ODDS. The actio
of the last Legislature, in giving into tn
hands of the governor the power Ia ar
point all the election judges at ever
polling place in the state, gives the Dem
ocrats a chance to cheat the colOred vol
ers at the polls, and to count out thei
votes in addition thereto. But they vii
be watched with an eagle eye this time
With Malone rs an organizer, who Ina
rare skill in this direction, with Wise Of
the stump and the true Republicans q
the state at their back there is stron
hope that the Democrats, nOtwithstand
ing their hold upon the election machin
ery, may not he able TO destroy an,
overcome the Republican majority II
that state.
If Virginia liz carried this year by tn
Republicans, the backbone Of the soli
south is broken, and will never again b
reunited. If, on the other hand, tn
Democrats can keep the southern column
unbroken by its well organized systeI
of fraud and violence, and can divid
the north on the temperance issue, tn
outlook for the Republican party is G
the most gloomy character. Facing tn
situation as il is, the Virginia Republi
cans should have the support Of thei
party adherents of the north, for wit
the sonth broken, the Democracy
doomed