Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1890-05-10
THE IMAGINARY ENEMY.

ed that 1T was the purpose of de-
signing Democratic politicians to
keep the races arrayed one against
the other IN order that they may
reap partisan advantage.
An election takes place in this
city on the 22nd inst. A Mayor,
IN fact, all the city officials are to
be elected including the Council
With one exception the Democrat
&c nominees have absolutely no OPP
position. The Republicans have
put no ticket in the field. MIR.
JAMES q. SMITH is running as In
dependent candidate against Mr..
CHAs. Ii EPP', and yet with over
40 officers and only one contested.
the Richmond Dispatch in its is
sue of the 3rd inst, says:
sThe regular election for city officers
will take place less than three weeks
from to-day. The Democratic City
central Committee we've therefore not
in too great hurry when on Thursday
evening last they decided that the Dem
ocrats must at once prepare to encoun-
ter the hosts OF the enemy, and to main
tain their position as the rightful guard
ians OF the interests of this city"
The expression, "The Dutch TAX
ing Holland" is certainly applica-
bic in this case. The language
which follows seems to have SIMS
ter meaning. 1t had been boast
fully announced that what was not
accomplished by war measures
would be brought about by peace
fol ones. hen Mr.. CLEVELAND
was President the Dispatch an
nounced that the next rebellion
would be in the North and south
ern soldiers would help to put it
down. 1t thought that the Democ
racy was intrenched in power.
1t says now:
Richmond is the capital of Virginia
and is best known to the thOuands of
persons the world over as the capital of
the southern COnfederacy. Hence it is
natural that both Richmond and Vir
ginia should be regarded with deep in
terest by all the people of the south
not only because Upon her fields was
shed so much precious southern blood,
but because having learned TO look up
on her as leader in war they cannot
help looking upon her as leader in
peace.'
1t then virtually attempts to ex
plain away its utterances by the
following apology:
There is no more rebellion in say
ing this than there is in saying that ev-
cry man prefers his known friends and
old associates TO strangers and non-as
sociates."
Truly, is this glorying in shame
But with no one to fight, it cor
jures up imaginary foes. It's Ian
guage is amusing:
lone week before that memorable
day-for it is destined to be memoirs
ble-an election will take place here K
decide whethc. or not we shall turf
over to the tender mercies of the asso
ciates of the enemies of the south anC
of the Union this fair city that sits Xix,
oneen upon her seven hilis''
And again:
8 Neverthele less, it would be unfortl
nate II the elections for city officer
should show that here in Richmond tn,
Negroes rule. If any person runnln,
for any city flee shall be elected OF
the 22nd. he will be elected by the N
groes of Jackson Ward -
That logic, or rather "lllogic'' i
bad enough, but it goes further:
jackson Ward will, on the othe
hand, IOll mp solid majority of tw
thousand or more, made up almost alt,
gether of N egro voters. So We are no
going outside of the record when W
say that the contest soon to come Of
will be one between the whites an
blacks-between voters who associat
with the enemies of the south and vot
for such malignants as Harrison, an
Chandler, and Sherman, and the rest q
that gang on the one side, and on tn
other side against such true friends {
the south and of the country as Grove
Clevelsnd, allen G. Thurman an
many others whom we could name"
Let our northern contemporaries
remember that this Bourbon ed
or writes in this manner when tn
Democratic candidates have actus
" "walk over" with no Republi
can opposition. That intelliger
voters could be 'gulled" by sue
twaddle as that is surprising.
is discreditable to this journal I
descend to such depths, but such
Bourbon DemocIa cy as practice
in Virginia.