Smyrna times., 1889-09-04

A NUMBER of State elections are t
be held this fall, but in the most o
them there is no new issue and the
results in a larger part of them can a
this distance of, be forecast. Recent
events have shown a feverish condi
ton in the Southern States growing
out of the relation of the races. Vir.
ginia is no exception to this political
agitation on the race issue, and seems
to be badly mixed up on the other
economic questions, while calling fol
special interest from the other sections
of the Union, because of the closeness
between the respective parties. The
Independent, of New York, thus intel
ligently states the position in Virginia:
The two parties in Virginia have
named their candidates and set forth
their principles, and the voters-per-
haps we should say the victims-must
choose between them. 1t is a case in
which some excuse might be found
for taking to the woods" and vet at
more careful examination will reveal.
perhaps, more reasons for taking par
in the issue and choosing the lesser of
two evils.
Between the two machines" there
is little to choose. Mahoneism has
been characterized as reliance on
force, fraud, finance" The weapons
of BourbOnism are of about the same
pattern. The two machines" are well
matched in character; and if nothing
else were involved we could be well
satisfied to see them smash and DESTROY
each other.
Between the ''principles'' enuncia-
ted by the two parties it is hard to
choose. One platform is about as bad
as the other; and the worst points are
those on which they agree. Both de.
mand unlimited coinage of silver.
Just why such heresy as this should
be espoused with such enthusiasm by
both parties in the Old Dominion
which is not one af the great silver
producing states, we cannot imagine
except it be the result of demoraliza-
tiOn of financial ideas which re-adiust-
ment or rePudiation has brought about.
Both platforms also ask for the aboli-
tiOn of internal revenue taxes on to.
baccO and fruit brandy. These taxes
are not onerOus taxes, and they ought
not to be repealed, at least not until
some attempt has first been made to
fulfill the promise of the Chicago Re-
publican Platform in a moderate and
equitable revision of the tariff. Vir-
ginia is, of course, specially interested
In this question, as she is a large pro-
ducer of both commodities. AS free
silver coinage must degrade our mon
etary standard, so the attempt to en-.
courage the production of whiskey and
tobacco must degrade the standard of
industry and commerce.
Both platforms are unsound on the
debt question. The only honest thing
for Virginia to do is to pay her obli-
cations dollar for dollar. Neither
party proposes to do this.
Ifthe platforms are almost identical
in their bad features, they are singu-
larly alike in their good features.
Both praise the public school system
and both ask for generous appropria-
tions from the National Treasury as
proposed by the Blair bill. Both pro-
fess the utmost anxiety to sustain and
develop the agricultural interests of
the State, and to protect its oyster in
dustry, and both declare for The prin-
ciple of protection. How can an issue
be made between platforms which set
torth substantially the same principles?
The real issue is not definitely in
.he platforms. 1t is the race issue.
The BOurbOns have already raised the
wolf" cry of NEGRO domination"
he speeches at the Democratic Con-
7ention were full of it. Mr.. P. w.
Mckinney, its candidate for Governor.
aid he would not care for success at
he expense of Southern sentiment on
he race question. The candidate for
Attorney General, Taylor Scott, de-
lounced the Republican party and
warned the people that it would
-pPly the torch" to their homes. Here
S the real issue.