Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-05-19
WEDNESDAY...........MAY 10, 1886
Vote the Straight Ticket.

NOtt tut Oh dlkht ff~N
There is only one safe course for the
Democrats Of Richmond to pursue
that il, to vote the straight party ticket
nominated at the Primary. Any de-
parture from that course, no matter
what may be the motive for that de-
parture, would be grievous mistake,
involving danger not only to the party
organization, but to the interests OF the
city. Any other course could hardly fail
tolead TO disaster. When We consider the
number of votes cast at the Primary,
and bear in mind the large number OF
Democrats who, while they did not par
ticipate in that friendly contest, will be
certain to endorse the regular ticket on
election-day, it will be clear that the
men who have been substituted on the
Reform Council ticket for the regular
party nominees cannot be elected with
out the aid Of the Republican vote. 1t
would be safe to count on Republican
support Of the Reform ticket even ifthat
ticket did not contain, as it undoubtedly
does, the names Of several men who will
be recognized as having been long con-
nected with the Republican party. The
Republicans have never failed to en-
courage any ticket that embodied even
a semblance Of opposition to the regu-
lar Democratic ticket. They stand to.
day, as they have ever stood, ready to
seize any and every opportunity that
can possibly lead to their getting a
foothold in the management of the
affairs of Richmond. Let them once
get grip upon our city, and there is no
limit to which they would not 60 in
order to tighten it. The danger Of the
present complication is that it may be
but the beginning of the end. 1t may
enable the Republicans to get in an en-
teripg wedge they have been preparing
for years. We do not question that
there are Democrats who believe
that there should DO reform in our mu-
nicipal affairs. We do not question the
sincerity of the vast majority Of those
who claim they have grievances. But
We ask them, What reform could they
expect, what redress of their grievances
could they hope for, should Rich
mond fall into the hands Of the
Republicans The only grievance
that would be redressed would
be that Of the Republicans that they
had not been able to capture the city
before. And how would they redress
It? By running riot in our high places
and heaping humiliation upon the Demo
crsts-by lording it over the very men
who. by reason Of having pursued mis-
taken policy, had opened the way to
their success. Can any one familiar
with the record Of the Republican party
doubt that this would be the case? Has
not that party been trying to foment dis
cord in the Democratic party, in season
and out of season. in the past, in order to
get hold Of the city Treasury, and is it
likely thatitspresent assiduous attention
to any differences that may exist among
ourselves is based on less selfish
grounds9
Democrats Of Richmond, take to heart
al these questions. Do not commit an
error now that you may have cause to
repent of in sackcloth and ashes. Take
also to heart the question whether there
is any reform you demand which, upon
. fair presentation Of the case, could
not be secured from the men
who have been regularly nomi-
mated by the party for the City
Council. Look at the situationin all its
phases. Look at it from the standpoints
Of good citizenship and party duty.
Look at it from the standpoints Of in
dividual and municipal interest. Look
beyond the present and into the future.
Look ct the situation with reference to
It's bearing upon tho integrity Of the
party organization, not only in Rich
mend, but in the rest Of the State. II
you viii do that, there can hardly be q
doubt ss to how you viii act.