The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-02-08
LEAVE rs TO OURSELVES.

Senator Daniel struck the keynote
Tuesday in his reply to Senator Frye's
argument that the Federal election laws
were necessary, because q Democratic
newspaper (the Times) charged that
election frauds are now winked at and
encouraged by our State laws. Senator
Daniel replied that it was true a Demo
cratic newspaper was making this charge.
but that that paper was doing 1t in an
csrnest and determined effort to compel
a discontinuance Of fraud in elections,
and to secure perfect honesty and fair
ness in them.
We take what Mr.. Daniel said from the
Record:
III this Virginia matter be the fraud
which it Is set forth to be, the Senator
proved two things about THIRST, that
fraud had been committed. and. second
that the Democratic newspapers were
after IL; that the party was rebulung II
10 which the alleged offenders belong.
When L shall hear the Senator from Maine
arise upon this floor and rebuke persons
OF his. own party that others think to be
worthy OF such criticism. / shall realize
that he is on a plane with the Democrats
from NlfSlfilds but Il nave Wdlttu lOib
for such an incident to happen, and from
him yet / have heard and seen nothing.
save his ability. exercised with great pas
sion and great effect, to defend what many
honest people in this country regard as
fraudulent transactions about elections.
and TO hold up 10 highest eulogy as an
illustrious historic character. whose entire
biography should be read to the people OF
the United States. one who does not stand
in the general public estimation In quite
the same flne-colored light In which the
Senator portraSs him"
1--WE have honest people In Virginia
Mr.. President. who viii put their foot
upon fraud just as quickly as any people
upon this earth. who have the instinct of
honesty and the courage OF their convic-
tions. l do not say they are better than
other people--C;osl forbid that / play the
Pharisee.-but do say they are as good
and as honest. and as pure. as high
minded, and as patriotic as those of
Maine. The Senator need only read the
established, current. and ancient histories
or THIS country TO find that the names
which have sprung from their oins were
possessed by men who need not DOR their
plumes OF honor In any presence"
II know that Journal, The Richmond
Times. There are highly respected and
honorable gentlemen at the head NJ =,
hey stand high: aud they show IN ,ba,
very paper that they want to put down
fraud" HV""
Ana herein lies the whole secret ana
argument OF this entire matter. Fraudu-
lent or pure elections depend upon the
character and morals OF the people
amongst whom the elections are held.
III the people Of State are dishonest
and are determined 70 have dishonest
elections. no number OF Federal bayorets
VIII change their character or will secure
honesty In their elections as against
their determination TO cheat. The real
security for honesty In elections Is that
sort OF discussion and exposure of fraud
IN them which the Times IS making now.
1t focuses the moral elements OF the
community and these assert their right
TO dominate and control Attempts BY
outsiders 70 turn the current from the
course which popular In ,linat.on in the
locality assigns TO II simply exasperates
the people and suppressss that natural
action Of moral principles which would
surely take place II outsiders would leave
the matter 70 Itself. Gentlemen Of the