Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-25
The situation In Virginia.

The majority Of our people laugh AT
the idea that the Democratic party or
Virginia Is in any danger Of discomii-
ture on November 5th. They think lha'
the newspapers are getting up scare.
We have been so uniformly successful
OF late years II is hard TO imagine our
selves defeated. But the Democrats OF
North Carolina were just as confident
last year as we are now. get they were
routed. horse. foot. and dragons"
They became victims or ovcrcontdence.
The giant fell asleep and the pgmies
sneaked up 10 him and bound him. And
so IL was with US here in Virginia IN
1879; so II was in some Of our congress
ional districts in 1856 So il may be with
US in November unless we bestir our
selves more than we are doing.
We do not think it at all probable that
the control of the Legislature can be
wrenched from our hands. No; thar
could hardly come to pass; but, unless
there is more activity in some directions
than We now see, our majority In edch
house IL likely to be reduced. Thus the
opposition would enjoy the prestige of
victory. Thus we should have pesu-
ferrous and obstructive minority to
fight in the House and in the Senate.
Though Virginia was one Of the small
number Of States that went Democratic
last fall, had the election for members
OF the Legislature then taken place we
should have seen our majority in each
Iavu
turns and you will find that this is
true. So we should aim not merely to
do as well but better than we did at
the congressional elections last year.
Ii is a well-known fact that number
OF legislative districts that have been
certainly Democratic for many years past
are now close because of factional fights
In our ranks. Another thing: The people
do not understand why 1t is that SO few
Of our prominent public speakers are on the
stump. They are needed this year more
than usual because the opposition have
out more speakers than they have hdd
for years, and these are doing no little
mischief by their audacious assertions;
most of which go uncOntradicted because
of these not "any have even so
much as read the so-called "honest-elec-
tions" bill which General Malone caused
the Petersburg conference TO adopt, and
which proposes to put the Democrats in
a minority OF one 10 three on all election
boards.
The people Of Virginia can be Influenced
by public speaking as in no other way.
They like to hear from their big men" ,
what is more. they think II the duty Of
their ,"big men" 10 come out to the coun-
try to speak to them. They don't Ike
any holding on
Our plan OF campaign leaves il 10
the city and county committees to select
the speakers that they wish. The State
committee is cooperating with the local
authorities 10 the best Of its ability.
1t is now time to call out all our reserves
and Ill the woods with our speakers
and canyassers. The opposition orators
should be met and all their false state
much sway; II is time 10 bring them &c
book-that Is. TO hold them down III
possible) TO the truth.
What we particularly warn our people
against Is Indifference. Overconhdence
contempt for the strength OF the enemy
etc. That sort of campaign may leave US
discounted; while little exertlon an(
enthusiasm will surely carry us to vie
tory,