Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-24
WEDNESDAY. July q, 1895.
silver Conventions.

We have taken ground all the time in
favor OF adjourning 10 next year all
questions which properly belong TO the
presidential campaign. We can think Of
no good reason for dividing into hostile
camps In 1895 that solid Old Democratic
party which ought 10 be he'd in readiness
for the battle OF 1896. What possible good
can result from the free silver convention
in Virginia TO be held this year? 1t is for
the Democratic National Convention OF
1896 20 formulate the creed under which
The Democratic party will march into bat
tie What right has Virginia TO meet
in State convention to lay down plat
form for the National Democratic party
10 stand upon? If each State is going TO
erect its own platform. then it is time
we in Virginia were preparing to do
our share Of the work. If each State is TO
define its position in 1885. then the plat
form thus prepared win be a motley piece
OF work.
If wa in Virginia undertake 10 follow
the example Of Georgia and Kentucky,
we shall have our trouble for our pains.
In both these States. as we understand
the matter. the cause OF bimetallism was
damaged by the restless men who could
not wait for 1885 to do the work Of 1896
but must hasten TO divide the good Dem
ocrats on questions which they may never
have 60 decide Kentucky is in such a
rendition as We hope viii never obtain
ln Virginia. With a candidate for
United States Senator addressing tho
people every day in favor of the fire.
coinage OF silver. and candidate for
Governor addressing the same people
every day in favor Of sound money, Ken
lucky Democrats may well deplore the
state Of things existing in their State,
pnd give proof Of their regret by doing
heir first works over again"
SO in Georgia. Mr. Speaker Crisp, Mr..
United States Senator Walsh, Mr.. Evan
,. Howell. and numerous other good and
rue Democrats are arrayed on one
tide Of the question Of the free coinage of
oliver, l6 to /, whilst Mr.. Secretary Hoke
Smith leads the administration forces
w the other side of the question. DO
he good Democrats I'm Virginia who are
.rying to get up State or district con-
Tentions In the interest of bimetallisn,
Know what they are doing? DO they
desire TO throw down the gage of battle
o Mr.. Cleveland? DO they Imagine"
such vain thing as that Mr.. Carlisle
,ouid address the people of Virginia
sozen times, and not enlist thousands
of them on the side Of the administration
Of whose policy he is so able and distin-
guished an advocate?
viii the proposed State or district con-
ventions place the Democrats on more
solid ground than that on which they
are now standing? Is Kentucky, or
Georgia, or Missouri, or Mississippi, or
Texas, in as good condition as Virginia?
Not one OF them.
We attempted 20 show yesterday that
The prospects Of the Democratic party
had recently grown brighter. We think
here can be no doubt that such is the
lact. And If the times begin TO show a
brighter face the Democratic party will
mare In the improved state OF affairs.
No good reason can b. given for calling
district or State conventions TO spoil all
he promising future that seems TO lie
before us. Let us be wise enough not 10
engage Ia any work which will damage
the Democratic party OF the Union or
OF our own State. Sufficient unto the
day is the evil thereof"