The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-10-21
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 81. 1880.
pEMOCRATIC ADDRESS.


The address TO the voters Of Virginia,
a. mcd.by Chairman Ellyson, OF the sta'e
Dsmocratic Committee, which VIII LeI
found in full elsewhere In THE TIMES, II
very able and stirring document, which se'e
forth in the clearest light, the reasons whien
shou,d lead every member Of the Democratic
party TO cast ballot in the November eiec-
tion.
In language strong but temperate, the
address enumerates in detail the GROUNDS
for opposition to the Republican party, es-
peclally In the course which II pursued dur
ing the last session Of Congress. Aiter
mounting out that the National Government
ia now fully In control OF The "most
reckless. ianatical and revolutionary eie-
menr' OF that party, the address proceeds
IN denounce the Mckinley bill in terms that
serve 10 expose its unequal and UNJUST
character as measure designed 10 extort
..from the poor the means TO make the rich
richer, and by the purchase OF votes more
firmly fasten upon the country the gazing
yoke Of Republicanism." furtherihore'
the bill is shown 10 be entirely In the inIei-
est of trusts, combinations. and monopohes'
and therefore inficts heavy blow upon the
farmers. whom, il is asserted by the au-
thors, that il would benefit, and works only
injury 10 our mechanics and laborers by
practically diminishing their wages 10y III
creasing the cost OF living.
Infamous as the Mckinley bill must DE
considered as a piece OF class legislation'
the address very justly declares that the
Force bill surpasses it, as measure direc-
ted Mt the liberties Of the Southern people
alone. while the operation Of the Mckinney
bill is coextensiye with the Union. 80
frightful would be the consequences oil the
Force bill upon the peace and prosperity oil
every Southern State that the address IS
entirely accurate in saying THAT it alone
should nerve. every true man to unceasing
work for Democratic triumph" and that
the only protection against the outrages
which 1t would cause sis the voice OF the
people at the coming election"
In language equally powerful and en-
phatic the address condemns the bill now
pending in Congress "to take from the
States the power TO determine the size ana
limits OF the different Congressional dis
tricts.- which would deprive Virginia of
one of its present representatives.
These three measures, according TO the
address, without referring TO others almost
equally iniquitous. are sufficient in them
selves Ito prompt the people to rise in their
might and give impetus to movement
that nall end in sweeping that party from
power forever"
In its appeal to the people of Virginia,
the address declares "that tine issue to be
decided il not the election TO Congress oil
certain men. 1t is the right OF self-goyern-
ment. IL il whether intelligence and
virtue, or ignorance and vice shall rule.
The duty of the hour is defeat of those who
would subvert our liberties and .trample
constitutional guarantees into the mire OF
partisan corruption" In order to insure
this defeat. the watchword now is: -" ork
for Democratic success. Encourage others
10 work. Organize. Take nothing for
granted. Aid those who are willing. Shake
on apathy. Arouse the Indifferent. Let
every man act as II the fate or the state
and nation depended upon his individual
vote and extrtions."
The stress which the address lays upon
the danger OF oyer-conndence in Virginia is
not too strong or urgent. democratic in
ertness is" it justly says, "more to be
dreaded than Republican activity" II is
against indifference that the address most
earnestly protests; against failure to vote
from too great a confidence that others will
bear the heat and burden Of the day. omit
ting the possibility that apathy and neglect
may be contagious. The powerful exhorta-
ton OF the address in this connection should
be copied by every Democratic newspaper
In the State as warning against the evil
consequences that would follow different
course Of conduct.
The address itself must exercise power
full influence in stimulating the Democratic
party in every section of the Commonwealth,
and arousing them to full appreciation Of
the duty Of the hour.