Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-20
WEDNESDAY. MAY 40. 1891
The y,rr,nin Camnaipns.

Hore in Richmond there Is scarcely
ripple in political circles, and If we judged
by our own smooth surface we might con-
clude that perfect repose relgned over the
Commonwealth.
Such is not tho fact. The spring cleo
tions will be hotly contested in many coun-
ties, and in the making of nominations
there have been many upheavals.
Right here at our doors, in Henrico, we
see a stirring struggle waged with good
prospect that that county. long aban-
doned 10 the Republicans will be aligned
hereafter with the Democrats.
While in each county tho canvass pre-
sents ITS own peculiar local phases, the
general conflict is between the Democrats
and the Republicans. Where the former are
defeated the latter will be sure to rejoice.
Nothing so much delights Republican
heart rs TO see a straight-out, active, COM
bative Democrat rejected at the polls and
n Republican or an Independent taken up
in his stead.
Our enemies are far seeing and sagacious.
They do not underestimate, as an instru-
ment of discord. a little scbism started IN
Democratic ranks in a local election. The
fruits thereof they hope to reap in some
general election when the Democrats Will
try to draw party lines and when we may
find that many Of our men will not take
their old places.
In all our elections, great and small, II is
well to remember that it was through
organization that the Democrats got pos
session of this State; that when our or
ganization was impaired we lost control,
and that when in our extremity we wakened
to our senses we again put our trust In IT
and through it were permitted to regain
much Of what we had lost.
Important as will be the spring elections,
those to come of in the fall will outweigh
them, and in the midst of the present can
yass we may well consider how we may 50
act as TO promote our party's interest IN
November.
We hope TO see the fall campaign in
augurated by the nomination Of the best
men who have been called into the service
of the Commonwealth during the past
twenty years.
Let each constituency resolve TO send to
the Capitol that citizen who in his charac-
ter, capacity, judgment, and sympathies
can best voice the popular will and exer-
else the greatest influence with his bro
ther members.
This matter of influence is not always
properly appreciated by the people when
they make nominations. Some counties
and cities send here representatives, who
are very influential. Often it happens that
such a man is worth three or four or five
votes. The constituency that has chosen
such q person has secured great advan-
tage.
In many communities so much work has
TO be done in these latter days to secure
nomination it is not every man who is
worthy of a seat who will put himself to
the trouble TO get it. But there are very
few men in any city or county who cannot
be induced to enter the field if called upon
by the people with sufficient heartiness and
emphasis.
There will be many new members in the
next General Assembly. The farmers
will be seen there in larger numbers than
ever before. Usually they have had no
plans. This year they will present them
selves with well-defned purposes and with
the determination to inaugurate many re-
forms that seem to them needful. We have
great confidence in their patriotism. We
can depend upon the soundness of their
Judgment also, especially when the voting
is preceded by discussions in which the
questions at issue are viewed from every
conceivable standpoint.
e. ,,,,fo N
spring and fall campaigns more Democratic
than ever.
To this end let us labor.