Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-02-09
The Hack Flag Once MIRA.

Wednesday In Columbia was held the
FIRST live Republican convention that
South Carolina has Witnessed for nearly
a score Of years. In the division Of the
white people Of this State the Repubi-
can leaders see their opportunity. and
they have been quick TO seize II. The
address which they sent out is plausible
and adroit. II Is calculated at once 10
arouse the negroes and 10 lull the white
man into a false sense Of security Its
statement of the race situation as an
element of the political problem is as
Ingenious as II is fallacious.-The Charles
ton News and Courier.
And yet here in Virginia we are be-
ing constantly told that the negroes are
no longer power in politics. Yes: and
We are expected 10 believe this in defiance
OF the experience OF North Caro-
lima last November. when the whites Of
that State. having allowed themselves
TO divide. the negroes stepped in and
insured victory for the Republicans and
Populists. 1t was a disastrous defeat
for our party in the Old North State.
1t was little short OF revolution. 1t will
be so In Virginia, too. whenever the
Democrats refer their differences to the
black man for settlement
Ii would seem that. having in view our
experience under the Malone regime,
our people ought never to be willing to
court another such defeat as that but
some people are prone to forgetfulness;
some are reckless; some are careless
The proposed "honest-elections" con-
ference 10 be held here as soon as Gene
ral Malone has leisure to attend, is de-
signed TO be wedge to rive our party.
and give the Offices at the Virginia Capt.
tol and others throughout the State TO a
combination OF Republicans. Populists,
and Prohibitionists.
All that these Observation-Disclosures
conferrees have got TO do is TO arrange
20 split the white vote. With the white
vote split. the negro will do the rest.
To imagine that our people would be
silly enough 10 do any such thing is
10 suppose them capable Of referring
their disputes TO the arbltrament OF the
colored vote. Yet. this is the scheme
that is going 10 be worked upon us-if
we permit II.
All the signs Of the time indicate that
there will be a combination-Oppositio
20 the Democrats this fall. our enc
mics hope 10 carry the House OF Dele
gates by an overwhelming majority. and
thus secure d majority on joint ballot
that Is 10 say. secure the power TO seize
the Official patronage OF this Common
wealth.
IL Was an "Off '-ls79-that the
Resdjusters won theig first victory. They
also carried the elections two years later,
and not only kept control Of the two
houses. but elected Governor also. Let
us remember these unhappy days now
that similar danger Is menacing us.
But. Oh" say many Of our people. how
can they Tiilmanize Virginia without a
Tillman?' The answer 70 this Is that
General Malone will be a good enough
Jfllman for them until he can bring
out less obnoxious leader.
We vastly moderated the extent Of
the Readjuster movement. Many Of our
Office holders foolishly hattered them
selves with the idea that others might
be ousted by the Readjusters but that
they. themselves. would be undisturbed.
We quite generally beguiled ourselves
with the belief that the coiored contin-
gent would give US thousands OF their
votes, but the result in Virginia was
exactly that which befell our brethren In
North Carolina last fall. SO we say
stand firm. brother Democrats. Don I
20 astrsy. No coquetting with the enc
my Keep your ranks soiid-ycnr or
gapization intact