Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-11-01

aged the col0rcd voter. The act or
voting. which with tho negro had been
religious duty. gradually cetsed 10
have any pecul ar significance vi "a the
race. except so far as il became O. cor-
sOnal asset on the day Of election. Year
by year the voluntary gro vote has
steadily declined and, no-withs tHii r.
The strenuous efforts Of the Republican
organization. has decreased, until. at the
last congressional election considerably
less than one half Of the negro voting
population came 20 the polls. 1t must
be admitted. also. that FOR several years
there has been not only detection from
the white vote 10 the Populst party.
but also a large stay-at- home vote among
the white people.
From the time OF the adoption Of the
Chicago platform the Democratic pros
poets have been improving steadily The
people OF the district have always been
overwhelmingly for free silver and the
thoroughly honest and Democratic plat
form upon which Mr.. Bryan IS running
has inspired enthusiasm I'm many voters
who have hitherto not been interested I'M
politics The whole strength Of the POpu-
list party. amounting 20 about 100
voters, has rallied TO the Democratic
candidates. and their most distinguish
leaders. such as Major Mann rte ana j.
Iaskins Hobson, chairman o. the Peo-
pies party in the State have been doing
earnest and efect.v, work: The gold
sentiment is confined "lu.et exclusively
to the city OF Petersburg. Thor, is no
county I'm the district where the goG de-
lection from ~ p,nacilt.. vote cannot
be numbered on Cd. fingers Of both
hands which de .ectiDn Is 'ar - Offset
by well-knoHn ReTui cans "i0 i'm this
.'l.. ff ion ar.H o. IL
In Petersh r-. wh re alone any gold
sentiment eyiete. tho e9ne policy has
been pursued fttt seems 20 have been
adopted All over Tie country by that
faction. A few gentlemen Of large
means have enieavored 20 strike terror
TO the Democratic heart by large claims
and lavish expenditure of money The
leaders Of this movement are doubtless
sincere On some OF their estimate and
viii probably remain deluded. as the
interest OF their business employees az
we'll s Of their political agents are in-
volved I'm keeping Up the fiction.
Throughout the district the Democratic
organization is complete and in the most
effective working order. The white people
are aroused 10 the point Of fervor. and
the vote will be delivered 10 a man. The
decreased negro vote ls uncertain whore
20 tend. Rumors Of large sums Of money
IN the hands Of Republican leaders have
inclined many Of them 10 rally 20 that
standard. but "hope deferred maketh the
heart sick" and the sl0wness Of their
leaders in distressing the spoiIs has caused
the flock TO waver and in many instances
to declare for the free-silVer principles.
in which they were educated during the
last campo On by Mr.. p. u. Thorp the
present Republican candidate for Com
eress. Under these circumstances many
81 the counties. 70 SIS believed. which have
heretofore been safely Republican viii
give strong Democra .ic majoriues. and I'm
an the counties the Democratic vote Will
be largely increased.
In the city II Petersburg, as elsewhere.
the burden Of the fight has devolved upon
the Boltocrauc allies Of the Republican
party. The old-tme Republicans are dis
couraeed. and are cutting a sorry figure
COMPARED with the energy Of their new
recruits. Notwnhstanding the continued
efforts at coercion and corruption which
have played so large n part in the cam
naign. and Notwithstanding the violence
Of the threats which some Of their news
parers are giving voice 90. as 20 what
viii be done or attempted on the day or
election. the Democrats of Petersburg are
Thoroughly advised of their rights and
prepared to maintain them. The despera-
ZION Of the Bolters has long been evident
through their loud cries Of fraud, oriEi-
mated and continued solely as a device
for preparing o. basis Of contest in case ,.1
tbev should obtain "a favorable majority
In the House Of y representatives.. The CITY
of Petersburg will. as usual give hand-
some Democratic majority, ana rom
present indications from al parts OF the
district Mr.. Epes's election seems to be
assured by over 1900 majority.