The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-10-24

Referring to the recent joint debate in
| Ohio. in which Campbell and Mex inley par
ticipated as the representatives of the Demo
cratic and Republican parties. respectively.
the Washington Post declares that this
method of carrying on n political campaign
is by no means an innovation in the history of
perty warfare"
TO the Yirginians this assertion of our
Washington contemporary appears to be en-
tirey unnecessary. While the Joint debate
has since 1860 fallen in this State into desue-
tude, this fact has been due not to any change
in the tastes of the people but simply 10
change in the character of parties, the result
of the revolution IN our political life produced
by the war
Previous to the coming on of that conflict.
the joint debate was one of the most common
features OF every campaign, and one of the
most popular AS long a. the exercise of the
right of suffrage was confined to white voters,
the different parties were divided upon politi-
cal and economic principles. directly opposed
10 each other it is true, but still not sufficient
ly opposed to make the triumph of any one
party a serious blow at the framework of
society as well as of Government.
This being the case. the different questions
involved in the ante-bellum campaigns could
be discussed on the same platform by leading
speakers who belonged to different parties.
aud who. therefore. entertained different
views. The result Of this was that these cam
paigns became schools for the political educa-
ton of the people which have probably never
been surpassed IN efficiency in history. not
even 10y the popular assemblies OF Athens in
the most brilliant days of that ancient city.
Converse with the men belonging to past
generation, the small farmers and planters
who have survived 10 this age but who de-
rived all their political knowledge from the
Joint discussions Of the courthouse hastings in
the years that preceded the war. and they will
be found to be as accurately versed in the
essential principles of our social and political
government as familiar with the tenor and
character of our Federal institutions. as well
informed rs 10 the whole course Of our roiti-
cal history as If they had acquired their know
ledge from books
These old Virginians have grown few in
number and are rapidly dropping away. but
those who remain are standing monuments of /
the benefit 10 be derived by the great mass OF
the people, who are necessarily cut OF from /
books and papers, from the Joint discus !
sions of public questions in which every /
phase OF these Questions is presented on the /
same occasion for popular consideration.
Since the Inauguration OF the new regime
al this has been changed For long series
3 Al
the only Issue has been the preservation of
the fundamental principles which hold society
together Economic principles. PRINCIPLES of
government. have been reegatcd To the back
ground as summarily as if they had no ex-
istence. The supremacy OF the white man
has been the one point Of overshadowing i'm
portance. To this all else has been subordi-
nate.
Under these circumstances there has been
no room for Joint debates. even If the white
party had been disposed to show the monerel
party opposing them that degree of consid-
Grafton The Republican party Of Virginia
has not been entitled. eilher in its personal
or IN its principles, TO the respect
Of honest and patriotic men. and 10 lave en-
]
would have conferred upon it distinction
which it did not deserve, and which would
have accomplished no good.
The masses of the white people in the rural
districts have suffered from the absence Of
ont debates which has marked the chanpe
IA the political condition of the State. The
principal school for the political education Of
heir fathers has been destroyed and no sub
titute has been left for the political educs-
ION OF the new generations We hope how
yer, that this great institution of the ante.
'ellum age will he gradually restored as the
white population OF the State increases and
more enlightened opposing party takes the
'iace OF the Republican organization.
Rsouzxl. +.