Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-10-28
TO DEMOCRATIC VOTERS.
Cha 1rman EIIysOn's Address Regard
ing the Approaching Election.
HEADERS VA. STATE DEM. COMMITTEE
RICHMOND. October 80 1891

Ing the Approaching Election.
HEADo'Rs VA. STATE DEM. COMMITTEE
RICHMOND, October %, 1891.
To the Voters of Virginia:
The house of delegates, consisting of one
hundred members, and twenty-o one out of
forty senators are to be elected by the peo-
pie of Virginia on Tuesday, the 3rd day of
November. Between now and then the
friends Of good government should be up
and doing. The election is of vast and far
reaching importance.
The incoming general assembly will elect
county judges, many administrative officers
of the state, and senator of the United
States, and before the expiration Of the
bench of five supreme court ju6 ges is to be
chosen. Necessary legislation OF great con.
sequence must also be enacted, and apart
from that which comes along in the usual
course of events, the general assembly must
reapportion the state for the federal house
of representatives and for the two houses of
the general assembly Of Virginia.
The democratic party points proudly to
the wise and economic government it has
given the people of the state, and to the
grand struggle it has made in congress for
the like government in the United States.
Confident that its principler and policies
are for the best interest of all classes of the
people, it again invokes your SURFACES.
In the state it has responded to all just
demands, 1t has fixed and preserved a low
rate of taxation; it has collected and dis
bursed the revenues promptly and honestly;
it has sustained the public schools with
ever. increasing efficiency; it has mado the
best provision practicable, with scanty reve
nues, for our disabled soldiers, and will far
ther exert itself for them; it has attracted
vast sums in Investment in tia common
wealth; it has preserved peace and concord
between the races; it has belied every evil
prediction of its course and fulfilled every
obligation and promise to the people; it has
won confidence in and good vii, for the
state from all sections. In the federal gov
ernment it has presented a striking contrast
with its opponents.
While they crushed out free speech in the
house of representatives, 1t made unceasing
protest.
While the republicans increased tariff ex-
actions IS per cent. and renewed war
tariff in peace times, the democratic party
made prolonged and firm fight against
every exaction.
While the republicans spent wildly the
one hundred million of surplus saved by
economy of democratic administration, the
democracy contested every extravaganza.
While new objects of subsidy wers sought
by the republicans the democracy stoutly
demanded relief from needless burdens.
The committee would especially remind
you of two facts that are sufficient in them
selves to exile the republican party from
power and to endear democracy to all low
ers of fair government and free Institutions:
First. The last congress spent one billion
of dollars of the public money, and exhaust
ed treasury which the democrats left over
flowing.
Second. The republicans in the last con-
gress attempted to pass force bill which
would have revolutionized the government,
disordered the south, revived sectional and
race anuagonism, and placed power in the
hands of few partizans to control the
country.
| Will the people endorse and invite repeti-
tion of this extravaganza? Do they wish
taxes increased to support it? Will they
revive the force bill? That horrid measure
was defeated by the sterling fidelity to pop
ular rights and interests of the democratic
minority in the senate, aided by few re-
publicans who joined in rebuking their as.
sociates. If we divide, the horrors of re.
construction days will be repeated through
the adoption of that measure so destructive
of all our liberties.
Democrats, bestir yourselves! Our enc
mics in Virginia are quarrelling with and
denouncing each other; but they are also
covertly organizing to defeat US. They have
lowered their colors, they avoid discussions
and they shrink from meeting the awfu
record which the republican party have
made in congress. But they disguise them
selves in any uniform they can borrow, anc
hover around the democratic camp, eager
to catch us sleeping. Let them not deceive
or surprise US. The country is with us. a
year ago it elected majority of democrats
to congress from the north and from The
south alike, and in December triumphan
democracy, with an almost unpsr alleled ma
iority, will assemble in the house of repre-
sentatives to inaugurate the reform which
the people clamor for.
By the unfaiipg instinct of self-preserva
t ton the farmers knew that it is through
these champions of popular rights and in
terests that they will find relief from need
less burdens; and with them they will fiat
the merchant, whose business has been con
f fused and trammelled by vexatious restric
lions, and thousands of manufacturers VIII
groan under the heavy tariff exactions tina
cripple;their operations and close their mar
kets.
| The democratic party Is the party Of th'