National Republican., 1886-05-31

virginia Parties.
The elections in the Virginia cities on
Thursday Of last week furnish some hopeful
indications. In Richmond, the very citadel
OF Bourbonism, the old ring rule, which has
held the city with an iron grip ever since
reconstruction, was badly broken--its
nominees for both branches OF the city
council being defeated in five out Of the six
wards, and its renominated city sergeant
being overwhelmingly beaten by an lnde-
pendent. There was no opposition at all to
the rest Of the general city ticket.
These results, which even the Richmond
organs confess to be astonishing, are due
directly to the revolt Of the labor elements
that formerly accepted Bourbon domination
and dictation with meek humility, but
which at last were stung to organize re-
form movement, whose success was made
certain by its combining in its ranks all the
anti Bourbon voters, including the Repub-
lcans, who ran no ticket except in one
ward, where It was victorious. Comment
ing on this Democratic reverse, the Rich
mond Dispatch says
The result was surprise to many and tho
outcome OF an unprecedented condition Of
affairs in our municipal politics-the outcome
of labor agitation, lethargy on the part OF
many Democratic voters, and coalition OF
other Democrats and Republicans to gain GER
tain specified ends : We saw no justi
ication in the beginning of the contest for a
course that endangered the party organiza
ton, and we sec no justification now for that
course. We think the Democratic promoters
Of the new movement sowed the wind. We
hope the party will not be called upon to reap
the whTlwind.
The Richmond Wing says;
Up to few days previous to the election the
gICGtest apathy had been evidenced by the
Democrats and when they did start to work 1t
was not with that will that usually character
ICES the conduct OF the party, Early in heday
tie Republicans commenced TO boast, and be.
flIe the middle of the afternoon they declared
that they had accomplished their purpose, and
that the chances for the defeat of the regular
Democratic ticket were such us to send JOY TO
their souls.
Yet a more correct estimate Of the Bour-
bon overthrow from the Bourbon standpoint
may be gathered from glance at some OF
the expressions Of the Richmond organs
previous to the election. On the morning
Of the election day, the Richmond Disputed
said:
Despite the efforts of the Republicans to use
the disafIecton of those men to obscure their
designs the fact Is prominent that the real
fight is between the Democratic party and
Malone Republicanism. Whatever may be
the object of others engaged in the reform
movement, the object of the Republicans who
indorse 1t Is to pave the way to a complete Re-
publican municipal victory in the future.
Democrats, arouse to-day and vote the
straight ticket. Let II not go forth tonight to
the rest OF the state that Richmond is no longer
the citadel OF Virginia Democracy. Let this
election be no exception to the rule that your
city always sends good and encouraging news
to the party elsewhere. Turn not to the right
nor the left, but follow the plain, straight path
OF duty. Democrats OF all classes have all to
gain by the election Of the straight ticket.
The Republicans have all to gain by the elec
tlon of the reform" ticket Keep these facts
steadily in view, and do your duty manfully.
See 10 II, Democrats of Richmond that when
the sun goes down tonight Malone cannot
claim that he has grip upon your city.
Your failure to vote the straight Democratic
ticket will give encouragement TO Malone,
Alasl the fervid appeals of the "leading
Democratic organ OF the state" fell upon
unheeding ears "The real fight between
the Democratic party and Malone Republi
canism" was allowed to 90 on, and to &c
against the party of the first part The
Republicans had "all to gain," and they
gained Ill "Mahonen was given ga grip
upon the sacred city OF Bourbonism and
is accordingly encouraged" despite the
frauds perpetrated In Petersburg In the
name OF independence"
And on last Thursday morning the Rich
mopd Wing exhorted the faithful after thi
stirring fashion:
If you DO not wish TO see the Republican
party get control OF our city government, vot,
carly, and vote the regular Democratic ticket
If you cont want Malone politics to get
foothold in Richmond, vote early, and vote thl
regular Democratic ticket.
Let all unite In one grand effort to save tht
city from falling prey to Republican schemeu
and plotters, who are trying oCapture 1t unde
un assumed name.
Thus we get glimpse of the real aspec
OF this Bourbon disaster at Richmond as 1
appeared to Bourbonism before the event
Since, II is true, the organs have been seek
ing TO make the best of it, and TO gathe
such crumbs OF comfort as they can frou
the smash; but the truth of the matter is re
vealed to us, in some degree at least by tn,
solemn and earnest warnings given so zeal
ously on election day.