Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-10-22
SUNDAY. October "a, 1893.
The Real Enemy.

We have contended heretofore tnat inc
real enemy OF the Virginia Democrats III
the campaign now going on Is the Repup'
,ican marty. The side-shows are run by
populists and Prohibitionists and other
short-lived rganizations-that Is, II there
be any other such organizations Offering
n do battle against the time-honored
Democratic party. The real People
marty Democratic party, whose only
dan,.e. antagonist is the Republican
marty. rails Democratic party does ho'
wish TO engage in Virginia In battle
which does not extend beyond the borders
Of this Commonwealth. 1t would be iu'
d,crous, II Il were not so serious a mat
ter 10 see the Prohibitionists and the
poDulists putting and blowing and fiatter'
ING themselves that they are 1.-THE observed
ar all Observers and the conquering he
roes Of battle yet TO be fought.
We repeat. therefore, that the Republi-
can party IL the party which STANDS be-
hind and urges on the Populists ana Pro-
hibition factions. We repeat, too, that
however sincere these misguided virgin
ians may be, who vainly imagine that
they are political Samsons whose mission
f. Is to pull down the temple OF the
Democratic party--we repeat that how
oyer sincere they may be in supposins
that they can fight against the Demo
cratic party and yet keep out OF the Re-
publican party, they will eventually hnd
themselves confined TO a choice as be-
tween the Republican party and the
Democratic party These small parties
always gravitate towards the larger ones,
or else we have read history to no pur-
pose. 1t is not possible 10 fix the atten-
ton Of the voters upon sumptuary laws
and foolish currency schemes at a time
when all over the land, excepting spot
here and there, men are stripping for the
0pht which is still "on" between the adj
vocates Of Capitalization and the advo-
Gates of the true principles upon which
our government is founded.
our attention was recalled to this sub
jcct TO which we have heretofore devoted
an article or two. by an article in the
Pulaski Lance, charging the Prohibition
party with having in Pulaski county spo-
ken against the Democratic party instead
of the Republican party. We quote the
Lance as follows:
AT least one half OF his speech Colonel
Miller, Prohibitionist nominee for Gov
ernor) was a criticism on the Democratic
party lie gave the Republican party sew
era! ',~- N the cheek. but would very
So. ,em on the other cheek. And
.f did he cav against the PODu-
list, -. Third party. What does this
mean? Is he counting favor with the Re
publicans and Populists?"
Here is an object lesson for the Demo-
Gratis. Colonel Miller already finds him
self in that road which we have said
leads from the Populist camp to the Re-
pub can camp. There is also road lead
Ing rom the Prohibitionists lamp TO the
Republican camp, as Colonel Miller DEM
onstrates to mis- hearers when upon the
stump he devotes two thirds Of his time
to the alleged shortcomings of the Demo-
cratic party.
r. lesson which we would have all
s., Democrats to learn is not to take
q st step. 1t IS this first step which
d. all the mischief. Keep out Of the
populist party this year and you will not
find yourselves next year in the Republi-
can party. Do not allow Prohibition.st
flag to float over your head this fall, and
you will not ind yourself marching under
that flag next fall. Keep step to the mu-
sic Of the party of Jefferson and Jackson.
and you will always find yourselves 80
aligned as that YOU can march with your
true friends and the true friends Of your
country