Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-10-10
Beware Of oyer-Confidence.


Beware of Over Confidence.
II the enthusiasm displayed at the
Democratic meetings which have been
held throughout the State is any indi-
cation of the measure Of Democratic sue
cess In November, glorious victory
awaits us. Never in the history OF
the State has there been canvass in
which more Of genuine and spontaneous
enthusiasm was developed. This fea-
ture has not been confined to the
meetings which have been addressed
by those who compose the State
ticket and the canvassers appointed by
the State Committee. 1t has made it.
self prominently manifest at the local
meetings when the speakers were the
nominees for the Senate and House.
fact that argues well for the personal
popularity Of these nominees and shows
that, Is . rule, the best men have been
put forward in the various senatorial
districts, House districts, and counties.
This is as itshould be, and as factor
in the campaign its value can hardly be
overestimated. To-day would be a sad
day for Virginia il enthusiasm for
Democracy was not abroad. Never
theless, it is well to warn our people
that this very enthusiasm contains an
element Of danger which we cannot
too strictly guard against-the danger
of over-confdence. We must not ac-
cept the oyations that are accorded our
speakers as proof of absolute security,
nor allow the size Of meeting to OBJ
scure any defect that may exist
in our organization. The man who
attends q meeting and whose zeal has
been aroused to the highest pitch must
not take it for granted that his feelings
extend to his neighbor who has been
detained at home cutting tobacco or
performing some other work. BE his
enthusiasm never so great. it only rep
resents one vote. He should remember
that his neighbor, not having been
fred to active work by being present
at the meeting. may be the very man
who, from reading reports Of the enthu-
siasm that prevails, is liable to become
the victim Of over-confdence, and that
that neighbours vote might save the
county. He should remember that, as
a rule, the man who will not strain a
point to 60 to political meeting is the
man who will not strain point to 60
to the polls, particularly if he has an
idea that his party is safe. lie should,
therefore, discount the enthusiasm of
every one except himself, and count Oh
nothing but votes.
That the Republican State ticket will
be beaten we have no doubt, and every
thing points to clean Democratic ma
jority in the Legislature. But on the
latter point there should be no doubt.
There need be none if the Democrats
will do their duty and supplement en-
thusiasm with active work. The average
voter who has attended the political
meetings fully understands the issues
involved in the contest, and may be
counted upon to prove his enthusiasm
by casting his ballot on election-day (;
but there is always large class who
would consider themselves insulted
were their Democracy questioned, but
who must be aroused by quiet
appeals to them at their homes. These
expect the shadow Ct other peoples
zeal to serve for the substance of their
own obligations to the party. These
must be impressed with the response
bility that rests upon them by personal
interviews and appeals To their patriot
ism. Let our committeeman see to il
that that class be not imbued with
over-conhdencc, and that they fully IN
derstand what is in store for Virginia
If MALONE succeeds in carrying the
Legislature. Let them he made to CON-
prehend that nothing short of Water
loo for the Virginia Republicans
can save the South from being Sher-
manized. Let them be made to realize
that failure on their part to vote will
be equivalent to voting for WILLIAM
MALONE for United States Senator, fol-
JOHN S. WISE for commissioner Of
sales, for aMAHoNE partisan for every
circuit judgeship in the State, for the
abolition Of the THURMAN jury-law
and for JOHN SHERMAN for Presi
dent. Let it be brought home to then
that if the Legislature be lost to tn,
Democrats that result will be accepted
as q MALONE victory and al
endorsement OF the libels Of tn,
South-haters, and that they will be re
sponsible for the break in the soil,
South, which will be followed by an
other Radical invasion as surely as tina
night follows day. II may remain wit
the supine and the over-confdent t
say whether Virginia shall keep her fac
to the rising or turn it to the setting sun
Not only must they be made to gras
that fact, but our party leaders an
other workers must grasp it also.
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