Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-06-29
Come Out Into tho Sunlight.

come Out into tho SunnRnL.
when several years ago the Dispatch un.
dertook the conversion Of the Providence
Journal the task was regarded by many as
an almost hopeless one. Indeed not few
doubted that we were in earnest. The
Journal, owing TO It's associations, educs-
ton, and the influence OF New England ira.
diiions, was in the depths OF partisan Re-
rubhcsn darkness. But we were IN earnest.
Moreover we understood perfectly what We
were about, aud fully appreciated the mag
nitude OF the labor we had cut out for our
selves. We had dscerned amid the Journals
bilterest spelA OF psrtisanry the evidence
Of litent sense Of fairness and Justice,
aud acting on the principle that where these
existed there was hope, and knowing
that the more influential the political
sinner the greater the reward, we addressed
ourselves unremittingly 10 the good WORK.
At first progress was slow and we met win
many discoursgements. Several times We
had the Journal on the stool OF political re-
pentance only TO sec il tunble of. There
were certain Temptations and alluremenls IN
the Republican party that II seemed lmpos-
si5le for our contemporary to resist. sun
We persevered, more than once in orr zeal
saying, we fear, barsh things, and receiving
NOT the sOiteSt OF answers. Through u All,
however, the Dispatch and the journal re-
NAMED good friends and each gave the other
credit for sincerity. Little by little the good
seed the Dispatch had soUn in what st first
appeared to be such unproml'ing ground
began TO bring forth something Ike
Democratic fruit. II was not the
Simon>pure article, but it had de-
cded Democratic favor, due in large
measure to the development OF the sense OF
fairness and justice we have spoken OF. 1t
could hardly be graded as "No. Demo-
cratic" still II found no takers In The Repub-
llcan market. The fruit continued TO i'm
prove until on Tuesday the journal pro-
duced crop which caused us to remark, AS
we understand ii, our Rhode Island coDtem-
porary will support CLEVELAND and THUR
MAN" The Journal does not give its adj
hcrence TO the Democratic ticket iu express
terms, but a. we construed its language so it
is construed by several Of our contemporaries.
We quote the words Of the journal upon
which our remark OF yesterday was based.
After & careful aud dispassienate review OF
the platforms OF both parties, the J0,Tn@
says:
"The Journal believes that upon this
question tariff reform as affecting the IN
dustrial sJsteml the Democratic policy and
platform are right and that the Republican
policy and platform are wrong. II has ar
gued that the Republican party would make
a mistake il ut allowed itself to be forced,
thousL political opposition, into taking
position in regard 10 the revision OF the
tSrlff contrary to the declarations OF its
previous platforms and the advice and ceun-
>el Of nearly all its great statetnen up to the
beginning Of the present session Of Con-
press. The journal is not blind TO The
shortcomings OF the administration OF Presi-
dent Cleveland In regard 10 ciyil-Serylce
reform. 20 the condition OF the suffrage IN
the SOUTH 10 the elements in the Democratic
party which are dangerous TO the public
welfare and do rot deserve the confidence o.
the country. But il must take things as IL
finds lh,n. choosing what ii believes TO he
the right side Of the main issue, preferring
principle 10 party and standing for what it
believes to be the best welfare Of the whole
country"
We do not say that the Journat has not
left itself a loophole through which to crawl
back to the support of the Republican party,
hut il il has the loophole is very small one.
Considering our contemporary honesty and
its determination, we are rather inclined to
hone that its avoidance OF direct declare
ton Of support OF the Democratic ticket is
due to desire to staye of the pain OF sud
den wrench That IS natural. 1t is hard TO
part entirely from the love OF years, no mat
ter how unworthy Of our confidence that love
may have proved. But We tell the journal
it Is too good for the Republican party. II
will feel better after It has made the break.
Il is like man who has defective tooth
that il aching. Better have it out and be
done with It. Even should the present acute
attack sub.ide, the journal will never be
comfortable again. Things have gone too
Tar for that. Come out into the full sunlight
OF Democracy, brother. The sooner you do
it the happier you VIII be; and we add
without 1attery, the better it will be for the
country.