The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-27
THE DEMOCRATIC CLUBS.
An ADDRESS SETTING FORTH
THEiR AIMS AND OBJECIS.
Protest Against Newspaper Structures on
Their OrganiIations-A self-sacri-
fcing Band Of Workers.
Tho following communication explains

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 be-
gan 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 it no, active commentator.
at least the acqHescence OF silence. The
Democratic clubs, therefore. have been
compelled tn take some action out OF COM
mon self-respect.
IL Is unlieC essary 10 disguise the fact
that this unfortunate breach IN the party
lines has resulted from the defeat OF the
| measure above referred to- The State
and the Dispatch advocated outsposeniy
the passage OF that bill, contrary 10 the
dictates OF party faith and to the express
ed Will Of tho Democratic voters al the
| last primary election. The active po!iti-
clans OF the city, almost all OF whom are
AFFILIATED with the clubs. have been as out
| spoken against 1t and have used little
| OF their influence TO put IL TO death.
| jealous OF that influence and smarung
| with sting q defeat, the opposing ele-
ment has set about to undermine the
| reputation OF the clubs and to wreak upon
! them fra;rIcloAl revenge.
To this end they have bestowed upon
the members of the clubs the eptthets.
| among others, OF "heelers,' "boodlers,'
| and "Dums" words which are not only
offensive, but, from their use and origin.
! intcr1icted IN rchte society. More, doubt
has been cast upon the very Democracy
| OF tbs C. Ds. lnsinuations have been
mai. tat the Democratic clubs are moth
ing moro than bands OF tho lowest and
most FISH Of men. without regard for
the public welfare, without conscience or
| stsa.fLs. principle and only attached 10
tho fortunes OF the party for the sake or
] begging ficm candidates ard plunderins
| tho ie0pe
To this sttacH we rfIJy. without any re-
turn OF abuse. by simply calling the at
tention Of the people to our objects and
our records.
The purpose Of a political club, such as
those which flourish IN our midst, Is Tor
tho advancement Of political principles.
In Richmond the clubs have always had
the countenance and support Of the most
virtnous men. We have had Charge of the
! organiza ton OF the Democratic forces, we
have had to raise money for the cam
paign, u arrange meetings for tho pub
lie, TO furnish volunteers. TO canvass the
city from house 10 house. 10 bring voters
10 the polls, TO see that the enemy poll
ed no more than his legal strength, and In
many other ways have we advanced the
great cause that is dear 20 all our hearts
We have ever favored a clean and eco
nOmlcal administration OF the city's al
fairs and advocated laws which bear
equally upon all and heavily upon none.
Recognizing the principle that II Is the
consumer who pays the tax, we steadily
deprecate all extravaganza IN the eXpen-
diture OF the city moneys. We maintain
that the employees Of the city should be
paid a fair days wage for fair days
work, and that white Democrats should
be exclusively employed In every depart
ment OF the city government. We have
taken no sides in family tights, and have
transacted our business with open doors
and Ia the face OF the public and the
press. For to support any particular can
didate IS TO trihe with reputation, and to
hold a secret political meeting is 10 arouse
the suspicion of the people.
For years in the city OF Richmond va
rious Democratic clubs have waged an
open and honorable warfare against the
black Republican party, that enemy 10
good government. While tho public speak
er and the newspaper editor have had
the fun Of leading the charge. and have
gotten the glory and fame OF the VIC
tory, the club members have been In the
trenches and on the picket line. we nave
done the disagTeea bic and thankless DUTY
Of war. while others have had the TO-
nance and advancement. We have done.
not all. but much, TO 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 contest. The leaders Of the
party have relied upon am encouraged
Tho clubs and will no doubt continue 10
do so. The chivalrous Beirne, predecessor
OF the gentlemen who now edit the state,
II he were yet alive wo ia bear willlnS
testimony to the invaluable service rem
dered by them I'm dark and sorrowfui
times. as he frequently d.d during life.
Mr.. Ellyson. the sagacious and eXperienc-
cd chairman Of the State Committee, and
FOR wears chairman OF the city Com
mittee and member of the Third District
Committee has always sought their ara
to organize his campaign, ana would il
called upOn bear witness TO their ser
vice. There are, and have been, many
more Of TIE leaders who not only beAeNe
I'm their usefulness, but who are proud
TO be members Of them, thus testifying
at once TO their value and their charac-
ter.
1t would be folly to say that there are
no bad clubs and no bad men In clubs;
for wherever men congresate there VIII
be both good and bad. IL IS sad fuct
that there are Objectionable men In the
clubs. But there are also Objectionable
men in the management Of newspapers.
inst as there were traitors tn the armies
of Lee and Jackson. and hypocrites IN the
Church. 1t is the fault OF human nature
But we respectfully maintain that the
largely prevailing majorities Of tho eluns
are composed Of honest and respectaD'e
men. active I'm their efforts and unfaiiing
in their devotion 10 the great principles or
Democracy. the principles OF Henry Jef-
ferson. and Monroe. We maintain tnat
we have been true 10 our purposes
through long years and are able 10 say
with the apostle: I'VE have fought the
good fight We have kept the faith. We
beg the Democrats not to be led by WICK
ed and pcrnicious statements, into Tor
qetfulness of our true character.
Lastly. We deny and repei the words
used against us as unfriendly. injurious
and unjust. And this statement we make
simply because 1t Is not manly part
10 bear Islander in silence.
,FW POIITIC4L ORGJNiIfTioN. |
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