Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-16
TUESDAY. JULY 16, 1895
Virginia.

We have never ceased to hope that
the Democrats of Virginia would adj
journ the silver question 10 next year,
md let their campaign OF 1923 be bat
lie between themselves on the one SIDE
and the Mahoneites or Republicans on
the other. Up to the present time there
has been no disposition manifested ex-
cant on the part OF small faction claim
ang to be Democrats TO divide the Demo-
Gratis OF Virginia on the silver question
at the present time. few persons
have declared IL TO be their purpose to
support next year the Republican nomi-
nee for President of the United States
AZ that nominee shall stand on a sound
currency platform and the Democratic
nominee should stand upon free-sllver
platform We would say to these per-
sons that this will be a very proper ques-
fion to raise next year, when the contend
tng hosts OF the Democratic and the Re-
publican parties, fighting for national SUI
premacy, will have formulated new creeds
and laid down new platforms. But just
now the Republican party OF this State
command our attention.
We have watched the course of the
Democratic papers Of this State, and feel
confident that there Is no disposition to
divide the Democratic party this year
upon the silver question. or the sound
currency question, or the State-bank
question. They cannot see the propri-
ETY. or the wisdom OF wasting their
strength in fighting now battles which
may never have TO be fought. Nobody can
tell what a day may bring forth: much
less what a whole year will bring forth;
and so nobody can tell In what condition
this time next year will find these issues.
"A year or more ago It seemed absolutely
certain that Mckinley was to be the
next Republican nominee for President Of
the United States. and protection or the
tariff question was 10 be the main issue
in the presidential campaign. Since then
a totally different phase has come over
the country and II seems now 10 be de-
cided that the Republican party will be
compelled by New England and the Mid
die States to nominate a candidate
pledged to the single gold standard Of
values and willing TO sink the tariff Ques-
lion out Of sight.
Let the Democrats Of Virginia recall
the days when Malone rule In Virginia
was intolerable-so odious that we could
hardly bear it. TN h. days were but
few years ago.
We talk of the Walton election-law.
but how insignificant would that law De
II a Republican Congress and President
were elected in 1895 and new Federal
election-law were placed among our bur-
thens. We talk of protection, but what
sort OF a tariff would the Republicans
give us If they were restored to power?
We would say to the Democrats, not OF
Virginia only, but OF the whole country.
that they cannot afford TO allow tempo
rary issues TO divide them But espe-
rdalIy do We desire the Democrats of
Virginia TO postpone till next year the
proposition 10 divide upon the silver
uuestion. AS we have said. more than
twelve months will pass over our heads
before the Democratic national creed for
1855 will be In the hands OF the voters.
In twelve months many unexpected things
may happen Let us not 80 demean our
selves I'm 1876 that We shall have to mourn
our unwisdom in 1896 Let us De pa
tient and observant but not belligerent.