Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-07-30
Virginia

Fas al al hos'e doccri. II is wise 10 be
TAUGHT by the enemy. saws an old adage.
But the enemy is not always capable Of
teaching. For example the Philadelphia
Jress writes as follows on Virginia mat
tiers:
If the Virginia Democrats would only
nominate straight-oUt Free rader for
Governor this wear, and run bin on a
strs ight-Out frce-1rade platform, tney
would contribute materially 10 the interest
of n campaign which IS 20 result IN tho
election of straight-Out Republican Pro-
tcCiiouist nominee ON al uncOmpruplslhg
ProiectioniSt platform. But the Virginia
Free Traders. lacking votes. also lack the
nerve TO stand up and be counted
We know Of no straeht-out Free Traders
in Virginia. There are none. or next to
none. Consequently no such person VIII
be nominated for Governor.
But there are numerous Tariff Reformers
in Virginia. If bv the phrase straight
out Froo-Traders the Press means to de-
scribe TariH-Reformers, there may be some
appositeness in that papers suggestion. IL
is possible that if the white voters Of Viz
pinia were 10 divide upon the question Of
protective custOms-duties. the negro vote,
which Is large, ana which would be cast to
please Ihe Administration at Washington,
would turn the scale in favor Of such
duties.
That question. however is one which the
Press has done all it could 10 slde-track.
The white voters Of Virginia cannot afford
70 divide upon any such question as that,
so long as the Republican party as party,
the Press being influential in lis councils,
threatens destruction TO every material III
terest of the southern people and even 10
our civilization. The purpose of that
party TO put all our congressional elections
under the control of negroes and other Re
publican partisans is enough 10 frighten
the strongest Protectionist in this section
and drive him into the ranks Of that party
which respects the rights Of the States and
doesn't advocate negro supremacy.
How many election officers would have
70 be appointed by the Federal officials in
case the proposed new election law were
made to apply 20 the whole United States
We have in Virginia several thousand
election officers of one sort and another.
In the Union there would be an army of
between seventy and a hundred thousand
election officials, aud this army would grow
as the necessities of the Republican party
might demand additional party whips"
The army Of election officials now ex-
listing is divided quite equally between the
two great parties. A majority of them
are Democrats in one State and a majority
of them are Republicans in another State.
Thus approximate fairness in conducting
the elections is secured. II the Repub-
hcans gain little advantage in one State,
the Democrats will Offset il by securing a
little advantage in another State. But
provide by law that the Republican party
shall control the appointment of the en-
tire army, and never again will thUe be u
Democratic Congress elected.
Such a law would breed corruption. The
rich United States Government would pay
election officers not less than five dollars a
day. The Republican appointers would
see 20 it that even if the law provided foi
the appointment of some Democrats, nc
Democratic appointee should receive the
fve-dollar bribe who would not agree tC
conform his official action 10 the wishes OF
the Republican bosses.
Yes, the Press will look in vain for the
"solid South" TO dissolve so long as the
Republican party shall continue to be IL
this section a mere negro party. All Other
questions sink into insignihcance wher
contrasted with the one which that party
makes the over-masterIng one.