Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-16
ORR DUTY.

In the country there are free-silver
Democrats who threaten to take no
mart in the meetings for the election or
delexates TO the staunton convention
mot vishing TO foel bound 70 support
the Chicago nominee should he De d
"goldite."
In the cities there are anti-free-coin-
age Democrats who threaten TO take no
mart in the primaries, not wishing TO
feel bound 10 support the party presi-
dental nominee should he be a nee
silverite.
we earnestly trust that no such false
doctrine will take root here. If our
businessmen dread the consequences Of
free coinage let them go TO the Demo-
cratic primary on the 2lst and vote for
dcleeetes TO stanton OF their way OF
thinking. Let It not lie said Of them
and TO the discredit Of this city, that
The battle was lost. and Richmond was
advertised far and wide as a free-silvor
city. because they sulkod In their tents
rather than raise their hands In sup
port OF cause TO which they pro-
claim their devotion.
The free silveritcs are quite sure TO have
n decided majority in the Stanton con-
ventlon. but IT IL by no means certain
that they will be able to adopt tho unit
rule nor that they will control the Chi
cago convention. At any rate, we should
think the Democrats OF Richmond
whether they be for or against free coin
age. would run no risk in pledging their
support to candidates for President ana
Vioe-President nominated (as ours are
pretty sure TO be) by a two-thrds' vote
az the members OF tho National Demo-
cratic Convention. II the worst appre-
hension OF the most dolorous Of croakers
Is realized, and our national party be
ppiit az Chicago, the pledge will be an
easy yoke.
But no matter what occurs, no mat
ter what the future has I'm store for us
our duty IS to put Richmond down on
the right side Of the record. Love Of
city and state. party pride, and COM
mercial interest, combine to urge us 10
do our part well no matter what others
may do. Wo are responsible for Rich
mond, and II will be TO our lasting dis
credit if she be not properly represented
at SITUATION.
So. n there be any Richmond Demo
crat who Is hesitaung about voting at
our party primary, either because Of the
threat of the unit rule, or through feai
that the Chicago nominees miy not
represent such voters currency views
we beg him 10 hesitate no longe~, but
20 cast HIS love for our city into th'
wavering balance, and let IT decide rim
10 take part in the primary.
Rlchmonders are the last people in al
the world TO tank about holding alooi
from their party at such crisis as
This. when they have just given to the
country signal illustration OF how
much better it is for Democrats TO set
lie their differences IN the party thar
out u the party. What was true il
our municipal contest Is true as to The
pcndtng contest. What was true doc
tr,ne then is true doctrine now. SO
let ms stick 20 our text and apply
Al to the present situation. Let Us
think how Richmond's good name is in
volved In this matter. and ask ourselves
whether We can AFFORD To- crafty oul
personal view at the expense Of oul
city's reputation. Let's have no suik
ing here. Let's do our duty courage
ousiy aad hopefully.
Further. let us say that what is goo,
doctrine Cor Richmond Is good doctrine
for every other community In this State
and for every true Democrat.