Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-10-23
TUESDAY..... OCTOBER %. 1894.
The Next Two Weeks.

Here IN Virginia Democratic meetings
ere well attended and the people show In
terest In the subjects discussed, and seem
satisfied with the record that our party
has made: but we fear there is a lack Of
that careful. compact organization which
carried us to victory in those days when
our peril was imminent and obvious.
Tbi. will never do Every Democratic
voter in this State ought to be brought
IN touch with his county or city commit
tee. and each county and city committee
should keep In touch with the district
committee. and so on. II We can erect
such an organization as that the Dispa'ch
hasn't the slightest doubt of complete
democratic victory two weeks hence: but
II we fail In our duty in this respect II Is
quite likely that We shall have to suffer
very bitter modification and endure i'll
consequences that will be far reaching.
The contest to be decided in Virginia
on the 9Th of November is A crucial one
If we win 1t, If we demonstrate that our
new clcct!on-aw is satisfactory, we may
cxpect a long reign Of peace in this old
Commonwealth. But II we lose several
districts and prove ourselves incapable OF
understanding and approaching the Au-
stralan-ballot system-then look out Tor
EQUALS Look out for weakening of our
marty lines and for hordes of Independent
legislative candidates next fall. Look out
then also for combinations between Popu-
lists. independents" and Republicans for
the purpose of dividing the State offices
Look out, indeed. for a repetition upon a
grand scale of those disgraceful scenes
and costly experiments which some COM
munities have suffered from by reason Of
faulty Democratic organization.
II any of our people are of the opinion
that the time has passed when we have
anything to fear from the negro vote, 1t
Is simply because they are ignorant OF
what is going on in some of the country
districts of Virginia. We tell them as
fact. whereof We have indisputable evil
dence. that never since Malone met with
his great rout at our hands have the col
ored people in the country been so inter
ssted in politics as they are now. They
are holding meetings nightly; they are
being addressed by shrewd speakers, and
they are having night-schools where those
of them who cannot read are being taught
TO identify the names of their nominees
when they see them in print on the official
ballot. In many localities these schools
are exceedingly well attended and have
become nuclei of Republican organiza-
tons, which are far more dangerous than
my the Republicans have had for many,
many years. Here at once is evidence that
our old enemies still confront us; confront
us led by experienced captains, at the
head of whom is Malone.
We would have our Democratic friends
meet organization with organization; dill
gence with diligence: enthusiasm with en-
thusiasm. We should have a good club
or precinct committee In every precinct in
Virginia, and every man of ours who will
have duties TO perform at the polls on
November 9th should inform himself as
10 the provisions Of the new election-law.
We regret to hear that many Democrats
are yet ignorant OF important provisions
OF the new law. 1t is bad for any Demo-
cratic voter to be uniformed on this sub
ject, but for one who has duties to perform
at the polls TO be ignorant is well-nigh
criminal. Correct all this at once. Read
the opinion of Judge Simmons and that
OF Attorney General Scott, where the pro-
visions of the law are not plain to you.
Don't put this off! Don't go to the polls
to be a mere stick: go there understanding
the law and ready to vindicate 1t and see
that II Is enforced in letter and in spirit.
And meanwhile you should not forget
that Saturday is registration-day, when
new names should be added to the lists;
when the names OF dead men should be
struck off. and when at every precinct
there is need of watchful eye to pro-
tect Democratic interests.
Our duty. in short. is to take nothing
for granted, but TO organize against sur
prise as well as against the known activi-
~ Of our opponents. Organize a commit
tee Of "wide-awake." active. enthusiastic
young Democrats In each voting precinct
Let them look out for registration. Let
them ground and root themselves in the
new ballot system. Let them learn them
selves and teach others. Let them make
ready to get out the slow voters on cleo
tion day. In BRIEF let them point the
way to victory.
We beg every good Democrat to come
forward now and enlist for the
campaign. We have got to fight
hard times and Republicans and
Popnlists and Apathy. This is a
combination which can only be beaten
by the close ranks and unconquersble
spirit Of Democrats whose love of the old
State rises superior to every other con-
sdsration. To work. Democrats.
Mr.. Harter withdraw.