The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-23
4 GREAT OPPORTUNITY LOST.

Tho Portsmouth Star says in recent
article:
"For the first time since the war the
South during the last presidential cam
paign. showed some disposition 10 di-
vide on the questions involved in national
politics. In time the departure thus made
would have gone on gathering strength
finally developing into a healthful oppo-
sition. one Of the greatest needs Of the
South to-day. But Mr.. Mckinley, by
placing negroes in positions Of honor ana
trust has taken out Of this movement
all life and hope"
This Is entirely upon the lines OF re-
cent article in the Times Ohe one printed
and misrepresented by the Alexandra
Gazette. and we repeat now all that we
said then. and we add that it is with
sincere regret we have seen Mr.. Nc
Kinley make the appointments Of
negroes in the South that he has made
for the reason that these appointments
ohstruct the chance of having re-
spectacle Republican party in the South.
The Times does not approve Republican
doctrines. It's faith is Ia Democratic
principles Nevertheless the Times recog-
nizes that the distinction between Re
publcanism and Democracy is founded in
the nature OF man, and that the two
parties must always exist under one
name or another so long as man re-
mains what he is. There have always
been, in all societies, men who want 10
lean upon the government and who think
the government Of the country ought TO
look after its citizens as a parent looks
after his children. and there always VIII
be such in all societies in the future.
These people are Republicans, by what
ever name they may be known. one sec
ton of them calls itself New Republic
cans and anuther section Of them calls
itself New Socialists, but both sections
are the same in principles and they al
ways will be-
Per contra, there have always been
and always will be men who think that
government is instituted to keep the
peace between citizens and to use the
power of all to defend the country against
foreign attack, but that the individual
citizen is to maintain himself by his own
efforts that are TO be left entirely free
and unhampered so long as he attends
e. : Is own business keeps within his own
boundaries and leaves equal liberty to
all other men. These men are Demo-
Gratis. by whatever name they may be
l,fn I.f
class. it must always belong to it, and
nothing save an act of the Almighty
could make ii belong 10 the 1irst class.
But as these radical differences exist
in the nature OF men, The Times wants
10 SEQ parties so aligned that each in
dlvidual citizen shal' be perfectly fee to
join the first party or the second party
as lac may prefer. The Times is utterly
sick and weary of seeing men dragooned
into voting and acting with a party in
whose principles they have no confidence.
That has come now TO be the emblem I'M
der which ballot-box suffers arrange
| oar elections for US before we so 20 the
polls, and corruDtioRists get our soft
pisces while men OF the popular heart are
| left urnoticed.
The Ilmes wants to see our politics so
| al .usted that our citizens may vote any
ticket they desire without subjecting
themselves TO any offensive charge, and
this happy day will never arrive as far
as the Republican party is concerned 50