The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-11-04

pitch OF political excitement All things
considered, the peculiar conditions ana
the peculiar temperament OF the Virginia
rcorlc. IL IS "a matter OF congratula-
ton. say we. that the contest has ended
without clashes OF OF more serious
character.
The fact Is. and II IS useless TO deny it,,
the people OF Virginia-thc Democrats
Of Virginia-are intolorant or OPPOSITION.
and there was eool reason Ia the past
why they should be intolesant OF that
opposition which confronted them. But
the issues which comentcd the whites
together in those days arc past. and
there is every reason why the people q
Virginia should not discuss questions
OF politics rith a freedom not heretofore
enjoyed. Indeed. while The Times ciinss'
and viii over cling 10 TIE principles oil
Democracy. Il recognizes. as VIC nave
often said, the necessity in republican
form OF Government fer an inhuehuoi
and respected minority party.
There arc those, We know. WHO VIII
resent this suggestion. but II they VIII
seoL tho true reason for their resentment
they vii find that they ignore the ne
ccsslty FOR "a balance of power IN parties
as in nations.
There are in the Democratic party OF
Virrinla men 10 the manor born ana men
who arc true to the best interests oil Inc
state as they understand them, who are
at heart Republicans. but have peeh
forced by considerations so well known
that tbcv need not be mentioned. 10
arliote arainst their will with the Dem
ocratic marty. The time seems now TO
have come when they should be permit
ted to go in peace to that party to which
they properly belong.
Tho Times IS fully aware OF the fact
that the Republican party in Virginia
was responsible for the trouble which
many sections of Virginia had with inc
negro vote for years after the war. and
it is no wonder that that party should DO
in bad odor, and its very name rcpuisive
TO many Virginians. But that does not
alter the fact that the Republican party
may be. as II is in other sections,
party altogether respectable. All that 1t
needs is that respectable men shall COM
pose it's strength.
The situation has changed largely with
I'm the past few years. Every effort has
been made during the campaign just end
ed TO whip men into supporting an abb
surd and ruinous financial theory with
the threat OF the force bill. negro rule,
and other questions of that character
that alarmed US in the past. But these
threats were in vain with those who
knew that these were dead issues, and
whatever may be said of suppressed or
perverted votes in some places, it IS
quite certain that the election Of yester-
day was the most Independent national
election which has been held in Virginia
since the war. and men have come nearer
voting their honest sentiments than ever
before.
We believe that q new era in Virginia
politics thus begins, and We do not believe
that the State viii be the worse for it,
It IS but too apparent that the dominant
party. so long without formidable oppo-
ston. has become intolerant. and that
It's election machinery has in many in
stances been employed 10 reverse by
ohicanery and manipulation the will Of
the people. The election frauds IN this
State. which have become notorious, are
largely due. We say, TO the fact that
there has been no strong minority party
opposed TO the Democratic party of Vir-
ginia.
We can meyer have true and virile
Democracy, based on principle, until its
principles are understood and valued
for themselves. and this can never be
the case as long as other issues are used
to obscure the glories Of Democracy.
We shall welcome ths day when they
shall shine forth.