Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-10-14

Now that we are in the closing days OF
this most remarkable campaign, II may
be instructive, and amusing as well, 10
look back over the road that has peen
travelled. For many days before the
Chicago convention met 1t was cer'"'n
that the free-silver element would nave
a majority, and there was ample time
for Wall street and the railroad and
other corporations to prepare the recep-
ton they would give It's nominee and plat
form when they were announced. Their
plans were we'll laid. and when the an
nouncement was made such a blast OF
abuse and derision OF both rang out from
Maine to Mexico az had not been heard
before IN American politics. Anarchy
Socialism, revolution. ruin of public ana
private credit were TO he the result or
Democratic success. Such storm hau
never blown over the length OF the
land before. and many sensible men
lost their usually level heads In the ain.
The plotters saw the success Of their
scheme, and promptly organized poit-
ing Democratic ticket. in order to corral
such Democrats as they had succeeded
in panicking. I. was soon discovered
by the people that all the work of the
cyclone had been confined TO the towns
and cities, and that on the farms II had
been Of no effect. The farmer was pur-
suing his peaceful way. as much deter
mined on free coinage as ever.
Then started ont on his wonderful tour,
William Jennings Bryan. His first
speech--cam. conservative. and patriotic
set the panic-stricken people TO thinking
and as sober reflection only was needed TO
appreciate the madness which had been
ruling the hour, the scene began TO
change. Men who had been using abuse
sneers, and derision. found that they
must drop them and try something bet
ter. The discussion of the financial ques-
ton was begun, when, to the surprise OF
all. 1t was found that the people were as
able to discuss II as the orators-the mis-
sionary work Of silver literature that had
been going on for years had done It's
work. The South was solid for silver
and in the West the prairies were on hre
with it. The cities were not burning, but
they were mere dots on the surface
Money was poured out like water. but IL
could not quench the flames.
The change of scene has been miracu-
lous. Four months ago the Democratic
nomination went begging. the party under
Cleveland's lead was hopeless, and
had prepared for a perfunctory cam
Iafa under
Bryan's lead, II is fighting the battle Of
Democracy with a fierce activity never
equalled in its history, and with the full
assurance OF victory
SO much for the country -at-large- Here
I'm Virginia the situation is like It, The
State is stirred to it's depths every county
is abaze and the only question now is
how great the victory shall be. 1t mas
been a curious campaign in many re-
spects. Never before has there been as
much enthusiasm in the country dis
tricts, never before have there been
as many volunteer speakers for
the cause, never as many plain,
everyday Democrats trying public
speaking to their neighbors for the first
time. on election eve. Virginia will have
been one of the best canvassed States out
side Of the West. and the most easily
canvassed, for there is very little trouble
where the masses are with you, as they
are here.
10 a loyal Democrat the development
of this campaign from despair to victory
has been a glorious history.