New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-14
NOP4L FORCES IN TIRGINII.

MORAL FORCES IN TIRGINI1.
Signs that the everlasting negro question Is
TO be taken out of politics may be dlScerhed IN
different sections of the South. New issues are
being brought forward on which the dominant
race is dividing. The old fears which led men
to forget their political convictions ana eco
monte interests and to acQulescc in corrupt gov
crnmcnt and fraudulent elections have been
diving ont The better class OF people nave
come 10 realize that continued political as
honesty under the plea of necessity was MS
inteyratinc the moral fibre Of the whole people.
They could see no change in conditions which
would warrant the hope Of the so-called nccoS-
sty ccasing 10 exist. Year by year the iricNs
of ,he nolitjcians have become moro bold ana
thcir answers 10 pleas for justice more cynical.
Good citizens bocin 10 see that the race qu"s-
lion has been kept alive Ivy Bourbon leaders
rs q means Of consolidating tho white vote ana
maintaining their own asccndancy. The FIRST
brcak In the white unity shows them that their
r,lers were ready 10 turn against their own
race the laws made ostcnsbly for the suppress
sion of the negro Now comes the widespread
demand for reform legislation and honest cleo
lions In the Southern States. 1t is not the de-
mand Of the carpeibagger, but of the South
ornor nurscd in the traditions Of the South and
hitherto the consistent supporter Of BourhonSm
The unrightcors measures Of the old leaders
have brought their own cure in the revolt OF
their more honest followers.
The situation in Virginia inst ~ present Is
peculiarly interesting and encouraging. IN that
State care has long been taken to avoid The
coarser and more open forms Of Enavery lht
determination that the negro should have DO
LOG firm, md
spread than in South Carolina or'Alabama. but
the result was brought about with less shock 10
the natural popular instinct for justice and
obedience 10 law. A reform movement In VIZ
ginia. therefore. means more than in regions
where more brutal methods have the quicker
stirred up resentment. Moreover, the reform
workers hold a place in the community when
gives them great advantages THE Richmond
Times" which has done good service in aro'islng
the public conscience. is thoroughgoing Demo
cratic newspaper 1t has no leanings toward Re
publicanism 1t is leading a moral movement
exactly as honest Democrats in New-fork arose
to rcbuke the theft Of Maynard the blackmail-
ing of Tammany. and the rascaliiics of Others
who sought to cover their miSdeeds under the
cloak Of IA party name. This paper began by
exposing registry frauds under the old law by
the names Of residents and dead men. Then
il attacked the present Walton act. This pur-
ports TO he IA ballot reform law, hut IL makes
cheating easy by allowing special constable
nj each election precinct to mark the ballots Of
| ilterate voters. He is invariably Democrat.
and is able to fix the ballots they will not he
counted or SO that they will BE- counted for his
party. This law was passed by the politicians
and for pls4,
lions. but II has not had that effect. Moral
forces are at work in Virginia rs well as In
| New-York The Times asks. who has been
shutting the cards. and refuses TO be put of
with the answer that the shuing is an incident
Of the struggle to maintain white government
The chairman OF the Populist State Committee
has issued call for a meeting Of the leaders
Of all parties TO consider improved election laws.
and everybody except the supporters OF the cor
rupt Democratic machine is likely 10 give favor
able response. The sentiment in favor OF po-
liical honesty is spreading and the upright
Democrats OF Virginia are determined no longer
TO permit crime to go unrcbuked through fear OF
negro domination.
That cry is the bugaboo Of demagogues. No
body wants TO see negro dOmination-lcast OF
all the thoughtful people Of the North, who have
had the experience Of being governed by the most
ignorant classes Of the community. SO long
as the whites stood in solid mass against
| them. and the suppression OF their votes was
the one question at issue antagonism was inevi
| table. With party lines drawn through instead
| Of between the races, the negro ceases 10 be
disturbing element. He will cast his vote and
have it counted II he is legally entitled to do
so because the leaders Of both parties want his
aid. If he is too ignorant or otherwise disquali-
| fed. he will lose his vote according 10 laws
which apply as well to his ignorant white neigh
Dor Whichever party wins. the whites Will
rule-and rule legally and jusly-as they ought
TO do: for their intelligence makes them the
natural leaders. Two white parties dividing on
| questions Of National policy and economies will
take the negro question ont Of politics, because
they will make the negro vote only an incl
dent in their contests. This will be best for the
negro. for the whites Of the South and for the
whole Nation