Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-22
WEDNESDAY,. OCTOBER %. 1890
Awake TO Duty.

The apparent inactivity Of the Rcpub-
Hcans in Virginia is attributable to one
OF two causes-that they wish to
lure us into false security or want to
sbow Congress at its next session that
the negro vote is not counted in this
State.
The Montgomery (Ala) AdVerttser has
raised the alarm that in that State
the Republican plan OF campaign is to
keep negroes from the polls, and claim
that the vote Is Suppressed. and "get
their work in when the two houses pro
coed TO respportion congressional repre-
sentation. 1t Is true that the enumera-
ton of inhabitants, and not the vote cast,
is the proper basis Of apportionment but
the census has been taken so slovenly,
perhaps with such intentional inaccurscy,
that the vote polled may be referred TO
to sustain the census figures. Atany rate
il will not be difficult for Mr.. REED and
sis partisan associates 10 account for the
absence of the colored vote by "sup-
preston" and TO argue that this JUS
hfes reduction OF representation.
This is a most malicious scheme, but
we know that there are southern Repub-
licans quite capable of promoting it.
And vet the man who would enter into
such conspiracy is no better than one
who would 90 into league with party OF
roughs to enter his mothers chamber
and desecrate it.
Whether the plan which il feared in
Alabama is to be tried in Virginia we
know not but certain tits that in several
districts no Republican candidates have
been put in the field, and profound ST.
lence reigns in the halls and groves where
OF old the political orator vociferously adj
dressed great crowds OF negroes What
does this mean? Why this indifference?
Why do we see the Republicans at work
in but a few of the ten Virginia dis
tricts?
The answer is that they hope either to
trick us into the belief that they will not
appear at the polls, or in reality will re-
main at home in pursuance OF the al
legged Alabama plan.
For either contingency we should pre-
pare. Either way it is important for US
to cast our full vote.
We fear that many active and spirited
Young Democrats upon whom we have
heretofore largely relied to carry the bur-
den OF our csnvasses are at this time too
much epgrossed with business affairs.
Their attention must be attracted; their
services must be re-enlisted, and we now
@Ill UPON every city and county chair
1aA 70 begin making assignments for
segistxssiyn- and election-day.
svotiDg, though simple act is asov-
efeign duty, aud it is not proper to think
Of this contest as that of an "of year. y
Ths Chairman OF the State Committee
well says that "not for many years has
the determination OF so many momen-
tous questions affecting the nation been
dependent upon an election. Not for
many years have the preservation OF the
foundations OF republican government as
laid by the fathers OF the republic, and
assurance of the perpetuity of the su
perstructure they reared thereon de-
manded fuller vote"
In several districts Of this State where
the Republicans are not playing the
'possum game our candidates have @
great fight on their hands, and they
need the sympathy and active aid o
all true Democrats. In other district
where our nominees are opposed by In
dependents there is danger that on
voters will not conceive it possible that
their standard-besrers can be defeated
and therefore will not trouble them
selves to vote. while the disaaected ele
nent and the negroes may seize the op
portunity and run in their candidates.
This was done in several districts il
Virginia four years ago, and will b
done again unless our people awake t
the demands OF the situation.
We consider the State very safe if tn
Democratic vote is brought out, but, O
course, not otherwise.
1t is impossible to stay at home an
win.
Again we say that the Democrat
~x~xA~ A.