Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-27
Address of the Comforting Commit
tees of the Clubs.

that sort OF free coinage.
s-<..-zs..r>sv<s.
Address of the Comforting Commit
tees of the Clubs.
To the Democratic Voters of Richmond:
The comforting committees OF the DEM
ocratic clubs OF Richmond issue to you
the following
ADDRESS:
After the defeat OF the bill for a change
Of the city's charter, which defeat was
owing to the efforts OF representatives of
some of the clubs, the State newspaper
began a series of articles attacking the
clubs in most bitter and unfriendly
tone. The other daily papers of the city,
with the exception OF the STAR have
given to this attack, If not active COM
mendation, at least, the acquiescence OF
silence. The Democratic clubs. there
fore, have been compelled TO take some
action out Of common self-respect.
1t is unnecessary to deny that this UNI
fortunate breach I'm the party-lines has
resulted from the defeat Of the measure
above referred to. The State and the
Dispatch advocated outspokenly the pas
sage Of that bill. contrary to the die
tates Of party faith and 10 the expressed
will of the Democratic voters at the last
primary election. The active politicians
of the city, almost all OF whom are az
filiated with the clubs, have been as
outspoken against it, and have used
little Of their influence 10 put IL to death.
Jealous of that influence. and smartnS
with the sting OF defeat, the opposing
element has set about to undermine the
reputation OF the clubs. and TO wreak
upon them a fratricidal revenge.
To this end they have bestowed upon
the members Of the clubs the epithets,
among others, of 'heelers," boodlers,
and BUNS" words which are not only
offensive. but, from their use ana ori-
gin, interdicted In polite society. More
Doubt has been cast upon the very De-
mocracy of the clubs. Insinuatlons have
been made Out never by the Dispatch
Editor OF the Dispatch that the Demo-
cratic clubs are nothing more than bands
Of the lowest and most selfish or men,
without regard for the public welfare
without conscience, or steadfast princi-
nle and only attached to the for
tunes Of the party for the sake OF beg
ging from candidates and plundering the
people.
To this attack we reply without any
return OF abuse. by simply calling the
attention Of the people 10 our objects
and our record.
The purpose Of a political club, such
as those which flourish in our midst, Is
for the advancement of political prin-
clples. In Richmond the clubs have al
WAYS had the countenance and support
Of the most virtuous men. We have had
charge Of the organization OF the Demo-
cratic forces; we have had TO raise money
for the campaign. 70 arrange meet
ings for the public; TO furnish volunteers
TO canvass the city from house 10
house; to bring voters 10 the polls; 10
see that the enemy polled no more than
his legal strength; and, i'm many other
WAYS have we advanced the great cause
that is dear to all our hearts. We have
ever favored a clean and economical adj
ministration Of the city's affairs. ana adj
vocated laws which bear equally upon
all and heavily upon none. Recogniz-
ing the principle that II Is the receiver
who pavs the tax, we steadily depre-
cate all extravaganza in the expenditure
of the city moneys. We maintain that
the employees Of the city should BE- PAID
a fair days wage for fair day
work. and that white Democrats should
be exclusively Employed in every de-
partment Of the city government we
have taken no sides in family fights, ana
have transacted our business with open
doors. ana in the face of the public and
the press. For, to support any particu-
lar candidate Is TO trifie with reputa-
ton. and 10 hold a secret political meet
ing is 10 rouse the suspicion OF the peo-
ple.
For wears in the city of Richmond va
rious Democratic clubs nave wased an
omen and honorable warfare against the
good government. While the public
speaker and newspaper editor have had
the fun Of leading the charge, and
have gotten the glory and fame OF the
victory. the club members have been
I'm the trenches and on the picket-line.
We have done the disagreeabie and
thankless duty Of war. while others nave
had the romance and advancement We
have done. not all, but much, 10 keep
the city and state in the hands OF the
intelligent people, and have assisted at
those triumphs which the party has
achieved in national contests. The lead
ers OF the party have relied upon ana
encouraged the clubs and Will no doubt
continue TO do so in the future. The
chivalrous Beirne, predecessor or the
gentlemen who now edit the state. II
he were yet alive, would bear Wiling
testimony to the invaluable service rem
dered by them In dark and sorrowiui
times as he frequently did during lie.
Mr.. Ellyson, the sagacious and expert
enced chairman OF the State Commit
tee. and for many years chairman Of
the CITY Committee. and member OF
the Third District Committee, has al
ways sought their aid 20 organize his
campaigns. and would, n called upon
Wit their service. Inerf
are and have been, many more OF the
leaders who not only believe I'm their
usefulness, but who are proud to be
members OF them, thus tesufying at
once to their value and their character
II would be folly to say that there
are no bad clubs or no bad men In
clubs: for, wherever men congregate
there will be both good and bad. IL Is
n sad fact that there are Objectionable
men In the clubs. But there are alSo
Objectionable men In the management
OF newspapers. just as there were
traitors In the armies OF Lee and jack
son and hypocrites In the Church. II Is
the fault of human nature.
But we respectfully maintain that the
largely-prevailing majoritles OF the clubs
are composed Of honest and respectable
men: active in their efforts and unfail-
ing In their devotion 10 the great prin-
ciples OF Democ-acy-the principles or
Henry. Jefferson. and Monroe. We MAIN
tain that we have been true 10 our pur-
poses through long years. and are able
to say with the Apostle: 1--WE have fought
the good fight. we have kept the
faithr' We beg the Democrats not TO be
led by wicked and pernicious statements
into a forgetfulness Of our true charac-
ter.
Lastly. we deny and repel the words
used against US as unfriendly. injurious,