Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-11-14
IN VIRGINIA.
PRESS

~ VIRGINIA.
That there is any plan on foot 10 consoli-
date "the Sound Money Democracy and
the Republican party for the coming State
contest. the Danvine Register does not
believe. 1t asserts that in that part Of
the Commonwealth those Democrats who
could not and would not support the Chi
cago platform and ticket "are Democrats
still and they expect to remain Demo-
Gratis" and IT adds: This is true OF
those who voted for Mckinley, as well
as those who voted for Palmer Their
disaGection and opposition were against
the Chicago platform and ticket, not
against the Virginia Democracy. 1t is
true that they are I'm favor of honest
election methods and so is every other
true Democrat: they are in the main in
favor of a new constitution for Virginia,
and this alone would keep them out Of
the Republican party Of the State"
We 90 not know If any plans are yet
on foot to form a coalition for next
years campaign; but in view Of the cir
cular letter recently issued by the Sound
Money League Of Richmond, and the fact
that some agents Of that league seem
to be working with the Republicans in
getting up congressional contests, the
Democrats of Virginia are compelled to
be watchful. If our opponents viii keep
quiet We Will More could not be ex-
pected of us. We are on the defensive,
and DO not propose to move unless at
tackled
Our information. too. is that. as a rule,
those. Democrats who could not and
would not support the Chicago platform
and ticket" Will come back to us-that
IS TO say. the mass Of them will. But
certain Of their leaders, we suspect, Will
hold aloof. and continue their agitation
against our party. hoping to be able to
muster a sufficient number Of Democrats
to make a coalition with the Republicans
formidable. Honest elections" will be
their slogan. ana Mark Hanna IS their
example Of what a model honest-elections
nan is and should be.
While we hope and expect that the
mass Of Democrats who quilted US du-
ring the late campaign will rejoin their
DID comrades, yet we would not be justi-
aed in wholly relaxing our vigilance
The Republicans are so numerous in this
State. and their black voters. as a rule
are so loyal to them, there is always a
temptation To Democrats who conceive
hat they are not properly appreciated I'm
our party TO bolt us and seek the aid
Sf the Republicans. This was the game
that Malone played successfully; but it
brought him no real honor. no happiness,
and we doubt not that it FASTENED his
death. Could we have read his heart at
any time during the last years Of his
life we cannot but believe we should
have found craven there poignant regret
that he had ever left our party. His
fight he would have better made in our
party.
And so would "tbS Elections
Democrats better make theirs in our
party. too. Exactly what they wish we
really do not know, but any propositions
of theirs our State convention will surely
give attention TO- The Register advocates
a constitutional convention. but the bic
leaders in the 'honest-elections" move
ment oppose it. Nor is it possible that
such a convention will be called for many
years TO come. When the State Demo
cratic Convention held at Staunton in
May last omitted 10 endorse the conven-
ton proposition. a death-blow was given
that scheme. And we are bound to say
that we think the conventions action
was wise. Confronted, as we are, by
schism and division, we are in no condl- !
ton 10 80 into the election Of delegates
to a constitutional convention next year. |
But II our present elections law needs |
amendment the Legislature can do that |
II the franchise is to be restricted some |
what. the Legislature can frame and |
submit TO the people a suitable amend |
ment To be candid, We don't believe |
that the Legislature could possibly do |
such work as well as convention but
81 we can't have what we wish let's be
satisfied with what IS before US.
However. we only started out TO say
thatswe are rejolced to know that many
who left ms during the last campaign |
VIII return 10 our ranks next fall and
that II there IL TO be a continuance Of the
discussion OF campaign issues I'm this
state. II will be because our opponents
make i necessary. Let the businessmen
OF Richmond who compose "the Sound
Money League compel that organization
TO recall its war-like pronunciamentoes
ana It's agents-if such there bo-who are
now engaged in helping the Republicans
get up contests for Democrats seats In
Congress.