Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1889-08-23
THE YIRGINI1 DEMOCRACY.


The spirit of the resolutions and the tenn
per of the State convention which met in
Richmond last week were the spirit and
temper of q re animated and confident De-
mocracy. In 1884 Mr.. Cleveland carried
Virginia by plurality of over six thousand.
Last Fall bis plurality was fraction over
fifteen hundred. So narrow an escape from
defeat aroused the party leaders to fitting
sense of duty, enforced an intelligent analy-
sis of the political situation of the State and
stimulated the determination to regain and
strengthen the wavering Democratic ranks.
The lesson which the Kentucky Democrats
learned when the political fate of Speaker
Carlisle trembled in the balance and the
fruits which that teaching yielded at the re-
cent election of a State Treasurer, present
an object lesson in practical politics which
the Virginia canvass is plainly destined TO
repeat.
Philip w. Mckinney, who measured
lances with Mahone's candidate for Attor
ney General in 1881 and was endorsed, has
been nominated to succeed Gen. Fitzhugh
Lee He enjoys the reputation of being the
most brilliant lawyer in the State. His
popularity is unbounded, and it will prove
especially efrcctual in the region from which
Malone expected to derive his chief sup
port The Richmond Dispatch describes
Mckinney as an unselfish patriot, pure
minded citizen and skllful politician. lie
is comparatively young man and will
lend to the campaign all the resources of
his eloqucnce and all the charms of his cap
tivatng personalities. His associates on
the ticket are fittingly selected to share the
fortunes of the battle with him, and the en-
thusiasm which the nominations evoke is
significant of the reponse to be made to
them at the polls.
The resolutions, whilst endorsing the prin-
ciples cnunciated in the national platform
of the party, advocating the abolition of the
ing the free coinage of silver, declare that
the issues and conditions that confront the
people of Virginia are of UNNECESSARILY
more Importance than tariff reform or the
reduction of Federal taxation, important as
these questions are. In other words, the
Democrats of the Old Dominion propose to
conduct the coming contest on the lines
prescribed by the best interests of the State
of Virginia. They mean thereby that the
best interests of the State of Virginia de-
mand the overthrow and annihilation of that
continuation of "abhorrent forces" known
as Mahonesm. We wish them God speed.
The annals of modern politics afford no in
stance of anything so repulsive to State
pride, to honorable political warfare, to the
sense of manly dealing and fair play as the
methods and motives which the intriguing,
INSCRIPTIONS little Malone represents.
There cannot be a reasonable doubt of
Mr.. McKinney's election. The. prevailing
belief is that he is especially fitted to con-
solidate the strength of the Democrats and
to attract To their ticket the wavering and
dissatisfied elements of the opposition, He
is conservative in his views and is in line
with the National Democracy on all ques-
tions before the country The Republicans
are divided and the attempt to bring the
warning factors together by an agreement
for the division Of Federal spoils has made
the breach wider instead of closing it. Ma
hone will control the Republican side of
the contest and those of the Republican
anti Mahoneites who do not vote for Nc
Kinney will "ge fishing"