The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-29
Rural vote Of Virginia.
glLR55 - I'D

TOta s...... ....25LSj5 242ga8 3l,2i5 o.O17
Now, in essaylns TO draw a just conclu-
sion from these figures, II is indispensa-
bic that we consider the conditions under
which the vote was cast. AS regards the
issue of free-silyer, the circumstances were
such as to make II the most prominent,
both before the meetings Of county State
and national conventions and afterward
in the ensuing canvass. Let US briefly
recall those circumstances In the first
place, prevailing low prices for farm pro-
duce had presented an opportunity which
was peculiarly favorable 10 the apostles
Of the free-colnage gospel-an opportuni-
~ OF which they availed themselves with
characteristic pr0mptness and vigor.
After thorough drilling Of the rural
masses In the narrow sophistries Of a
debased silver currency, the recognized
candidates OF the Democratic party for
the nomination at Chicago were called
upon to define their positions respectively
upon the merits Of the free coinage of sill
yer at the existing ratio. One Of these
candidates, who had made no public re-
cord as TO this issue maintained a pro-
found silence: the other with a candor
and honesty that scandalized the free
silver Democrats, even TO the extent OF
eliciung the sage opinion that he was
fit subject for the executive services Of
the fool-killer, boldly re-afHrmed without
qualification, his established record upon
silver.
Their hands thus strengthened, as they
supposed, large ana most influential ele-
ment-the controlling element heretofore
Of the party began an active ante-pri-
mary fight TO supplant the aforementioned
candidate with his comparatively I'M
known rival How earnest this fight was
ali VIII remember. Did they succeed?
IL Is now ancient history how the rural
democracy elected its delegates in the
primaries, how through them IL resisted
every enort Of political craft at the Rich
mond convention 10 induce them To- re-
linquish their supreme and only choice.
how II ignored the Representations OF
party managers and leaders that Mr.
cleveland was mot available" and could
not carry Virginia" and how finally, I'm
the interests Of harmony" IL divided
the fruits of its victory. How well It's
choice as TO the candidate was Justified
the event showed. But this silver issue
was not only made prominent by the
aVOWed and universally known views OF
me candidate nominated at Chicago, but
II was emphasized by the clear and em-
phauc language Of the platform adopt
ed, IN the construction of which every
effort Of the free-silver element met with
Signal defeat.
Then, again. 1t viii be recalled that. for
the first time. a party entered the field
and fought through the entire campaign,
teen 20 one its cardinal doctrine and
making the free-coinaee Of silver at six
experimenting with exemplary vigor the
ante-conyendon fight which had been
made against the souEd-morey candidate
or the Democracy 1t is claimed that the
result OF the election is attributable large
ly 10 the force bill. Possibly It is so 10
some extent. But the force bill cut no
figure in the nomination, and the oppose
ton TO The force bin could have found
equal expression I'm the nomination Of
AIR. Hin. We are, therefore, compelled to
conclude by all the legitimate deductions
from the facts. that the issue Of free
silver was above all others on trial from
the calling Of the primaries until the polls
were closed ON the day of election Now.
let us examine the table above for the
verdict OF the rural jury.
The Democratic gain over the vote OF
1858, was 2,OlA although there was
decrease In IN total vote, as compared
with lSSs. OF 1917; so that the entire
Popuiis. and Prohibition vote and the
loss OF 1887 came. In effect. out OF the
Republican vote OF 1883, and the Demo
Gratis won from them 2Ol7 votes besides
on the iSsue OF Grover Cleveland and
soand money. The Democratic majority
over all, as II appears, was 1899; while
the Democratic plurality over the Zee
coinage, or Populist. party was 1925,
and the total rural vCte showed a major
ity against free-coinegc. organized as a
party. OF 230.763
How many thousands OF applications