Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-05-21
rRIDAY.........,..MAY q, 1856.
Honor Your Record.

None OF our citizens are more deepV in-
,e,est,d in the prosperity Of Richmond
than arc our worklugmen; none are more
deeply interested IN the maintenance OF nom
81, conservative government. Many OF them
are property.owners, and the vasl MAJORITY
oftbem were born here, and have been reared
IN our midst. As class, they are bound
10 Richmond by the strongest YES
and have never failed 10 the past to testify
their devotion 10 the city. In nothing has
this aforementioned fact been more Striking
~ exemphfled than in politics. To none
more than to the worhihgineh does
pichmond owe the blessings she now
ep,oys and the proud distinction
y, beinp considered the citadel OF
virginia Democracy. None have con-
tr,buted more than our workingmen
IN the long series OF trlumphs Richmond
has gained over MALONE Republicanism.
Indeed. in this respect the record OF that
class Is n splendid one-a record OF high
regard for duty-a record Of party fealty-
a record OF patriotism. And now we ask,
Do the workingmen propose to put a
blot upon that record Do they propose
TO throw away the fruits their work has
in such large measure helped to garner.
They answer, No; but all the same, that is
essentially what they are asked to do when
they are urged to vote the Reform"
Council ticket. We wish 1t distinctly
a - n
honesty OF the motives OF some Of the men
who have looked fayorably upon the are.
FORM movement. But we tell them that
no word has ever been introduced
into politics that Is, as a rule, more
seductive and more dangerous than the
word "reiOrm." IL has been made the
mantle with which TO cover multitude OF
political sins and political designs. IL is.
except OF rare occasions, ga thing devised
bv the enemy" 1t generally proves,
rs Il proves in this instance, 10
be Trojan horse. Whatever MY
be the motive Of any Democrat who
may be induced to support the "Reform !"
Council ticket, be cannot get away from the
fac, that il embraces the names OF num-
Der of Republicans. His vote will there.
fore be blow at the organization OF the
Democratic party. Whatever may be
the protestatOns OF the Republicans
ON the ticket. 1t may be put down as
certain that II elected they will use
such result for the benefit OF their par
ty and that their chief work in the way
of "reform" will look towards "reform-
ing" the Democrats out Of all the city OIL
GERS In the near future. And in that event
will any Democrat who fails 10 support the
regular ticket be able to exonorate himself
to himself or before his fellow-Democrlts
win any Democrat whose dereliction had
been instrumt ntal in turning over the city
TO the tender mercies OF the henchmen OF
WILLIAM MALONE he able to escape the ac-
cusatiOn Thou art the man ~
We appeal 10 the Democrats OF Richmond
to consider the situation calmly and logi-
cally; consider it by the light OF the past
in the interest OF the present, and with
reference 10 the future. To take chances
Is TO coouette with disaster. orelaX party
organization Is to play into the hands 81
the enemy. To put Republicans IN the
Councilby Democratic votes is to encourage
N,uoNE 10 make renewed efforts to place
Richmond under his feet. The fact that
YOU may not intend that the "reform
movement shall lead to this does not render
1t any the less certain that the movement
points to that end. Misguided and mistaken
men have before this started tide they
could not turn, and unintentionaly brought
about results they would have shuddered
10 contemplate. Honor, therefore, Demo
Gratis, your record for seli-sacrfce, deyo.
ton to party. love for Richmond, and fore.
sight. Remember that The future greatness
of Richmond depends upon the stability o.
the Democratic party; and while you are
building reject every stone that is not tru'
and OF piece with the foundation OF th'
party structure.