Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-07-13

As 20 q Platform.

The following letter comes 70 us from
one Of the trueSt men in the Common
wealth. His name has been favorably
spoken Of in connection with the office Oh
Governor. Nevertheless. we shall do him
no harm by mentioning that fact, since u
is evident that in writing the communica-
lion we publish herewith he gave not one
thought TO his own fortunes, and could
have been influenced 10y no improper mo-
tive. II no had been time-server be
would have held his peace.
We have not been inclined to the opin-
ION that the Democratic State Convention
ought 20 formulate q creed. Nobody would
object 10 line or two declaring for the
supremacy of the white race, denouncing
The Mahoneites as the allies of FORAKER
and other enemies of the South, and call
ing upon the people Of Virginia to rally
under the standards of the Democratic
party in order t. preserve what Is left OF
our southern civilization. But we have
sometimes feared that in drawing up too
lurriedly a new declaration of the faith
that is in us, we might leave some weak
point exposed, or we might omit to say
something that ought to be said; or posi-
bly, we might say something that ought not
t. be said
However. we are willing TO leave all such
questions 10 the State Convention. " In
the multitude Of counsellors there is safe
tv." But we suggest for the consideration
ofthe members Of that convention whether
il would be wise 10 declare for part OF the
usually-accepted creed of the Democratic
party and rot declare for oil of 1t. Un-
toubtedly the people of Virginia are in
favor of the BLAIR bill, and of abolishing
the internal taxes upon tobacco and fruit
brandes. and Of liberal appropriations for
the improvement Of our rivers and har-
bors, whatever may have been OF may
be Mr.. CLEvELAND's opinions on those
questions and the August convention
would only voice the opinions of our
people if il should put those planhs
into platform. The case is quite dit
ierent as To tariff plank. We doubt that
one could be prepared which would please
the anti-Protectionist Democrats and also
the Democrats for whom "Lowlander"
speaks. However, we look hopefully to
the future. If the Democrats cannot carry
Virginia under the circumstances now ex-
;sting the good old State has drifted from
her moorings. But this she has not done.
and so victory this year il assured.
Here follows our correspondents letter:
IT. DE Eti,ior Of he Dispatch:
Your hard and happy whacks upon the
ribs If the disingenuous Chicago Tribune,
in the discussion of the now abstract and
obsolete right of secession, have doubtless
been appreciated hv every intelligent
reader of the Dispatch. You were right in
defending the southern people, and you
did il in good temper and with great clear
ness and power.
But the people Of Virginia are soon to
be confronted by contest involving prac-
tical matters of supreme moment TO
every city, town, county, and household
in this old Commonwealth and ! beg to
submit a suggestion or two IN that con-
nection. The control of our State gov
eminent by the intelligence and virtue of
the State IS OF course the foremost thought
of every well-bRlanced brain IN Virginia,
for IL involves everything with us all.
But the Democratic Convention to be held
on the l4th of August should in my judg-
'lcut, put forth "A platform full of policies
striking straight into the industrial as
sfrll as political and social interests of all
lasses of our people. 1t will not do to
=
hat this IS 10 be strictly State election.
The opposition will be wiser than that. we
.av be assured. And If for no other rea-
.fl, the very fact of Mr.. Cleyeland's pO-
.tion on two at least Of the salient ques-
heretofore embodied in the policy of
nul party in this State was not the posi-
IN OF the Democracy of Virginia makes
peculiarly incumbent upon US TO re-
90 IN our former utterances affecting
ttu.e questions. We should declare
D.. su boldly for the Blair bill and
ior no repeal of theinternal-revenue laws.
Ne hpuld declare, too. IN favor of liberal
apf upriations for coast defence and river
ai harDOr improvements. We should
assure the agriculturists of all sec
lions Of our State that their immediate in
ftrcsts so much in need of consideration,
viii be jealously and zealously regarded,
protected, and fuTthered. We should 10y
al means put the Roanoke tariff plank in
the platform also, for | assure you the
tariff refOrmers in Virginia who deprecate
free trade and everything tending towards
st are rot only respectable an numbers
Int formidable IN intelligence, deter
mination, and influence. Virginia needs
q general shaking up industrially, and the
Republican charge OF Bourbonism against
the Democrats must be met by a spirit of
progress that no reasonable man can gain
say. !, is inevitable. / know. that we must
hold the maintenance of our civilization
above all else; hut rs the pioneers of our
country felled the forest and guided the
pillow and worshipped God with the rife at
land ready for the red man, so may we
nov. IN our struggle for our civilization,
work with one hand for the material pro-
cress of our State while with the other we
do our utmost IN the battle of ballots to
hold the black man back from the ruinous
courses which in his ignorance he would
adopt. bringing about the prostration Of
the best interests of both races in our
State. LowLANDER.
In. !. Il.