Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-30
DEMOCRATS, BEsTIR YOURSELVES

Anv Democrat who believes that gene
raj apathy' exists in the Repuohcan
marty in Virginia, and that there Is sun
any considerable breach In thai party
is wofuily mistaken. In the present III
stance. as has always been the case mere
tofore on the eve Of fight, the genera
apathy" Of the Republican army has re-
tired far to the rear. All along the line
the Republicans are rallying for the sup
mort of their State ticket and their legis-
lative nominees where they have made
nominations, and in the districts In which
Democratic candidates have no regular
Republican opponents, but opposition cam
didates of whatever other name are run
ming. word has been passed to the faith
fur to vote for the latter
Here and there, no doubt, may he found
n Republican sorehead who will not sup
port the Lynchburg ticket, but practically
the party will cast its solid vote Tuesday
against the Democracy. The process OF
unification has been going on rapidly In
the rank and file of the party ever since
the Caroline county convention suggested
a feasible plan OF uniication, and that
plan was, upon a tips being given from
national headquarters. endorsed by the
state Committee Of the Brady-Waddill
faction at its meeting held in Washing
ton. OF this we have evidence through
our correspondents in various sections Of
the State.
But besides what we may term this
natural getting together Of the Repub-
licans-natural because Of their long
schooling to the effect that all other con-
siderations should be subordinated to
composing the defeat Of Democracy
other powerful influences are at work to
perfect consolidation. Openly in some
quarters. and no doubt in others secretly,
the party lash is being used vigorously
70 drive the masses Of the voters TO the
polls and subdue the petty leaders who
may be inclined to balk or kick. The
Tazewell Republican, which is published
in General James A. Walkers district,
and which. it can hardly be questioned,
holds the whipstaff by authority. lays on
the lash unsparingly. In its last issue,
after stating that it is hardly excusable
for any Republican to refuse to vote for
McCaull, and that the Republicans who
try to induce others not to vote for him,
will be guilty of an offence which the
mass of the Republicans of Virginia will
not tolerate" 1t exclaims
Woe TO the man who calls himself
Republican, and yet dares to fight Nc
u. in n
election which takes place next Tuesday!
No man who is true Republican will
do so. If any such talks to you, turn
your back on him.
When the slavish manner in which the
Republicans are wont to herd together
at the crack OF the party whip is re-
membered, and their natural" tendency
above referred to is recalled, the de-
pendence many Democrats seem to be
putting in Republican apathy is past I'M
Outstanding. 1t is inconceivable how
any Democrat with the lights that are
before him can fail to realize that it is
his duty TO work vigorously, untiringly,
and increasingly for the triumph of his
party from now until the sun goes down
Tuesday night. The situation is that
the Democrats have nothing to gain by
Republican apathy, but unless they bestir
themselves they may lose much by their
own apathy. Although the election Is
only three days off. this fact may be
taken to heart to the profit of the party.
not only by the individual voters, but
by our local party managers throughout
the State