Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-19

con the fourth Thursday in May next"
continued Mr.. Otey, "the people of Nir-
ginia viii have 10 vote on the question.
I believe the circulars have had the ef-
feet. at least of directing attention to
the matter. and it is now being pretty
freely discussed I'm our papers"
DID NOT INCLUDE CITIES GENE
RALLY.
"In sending ont the circulars, did you
aim TO reach any particular class or
Dusiuessg"
"As L said, did not include
cities generally. but confined my inqui-
ries principally TO rural districts. l did,
however, send them 10 all the county
Oficials-judges sheriffs treasurers,
clerks &c-and 10 every Democratic
county chairman, besides to hundreds Of
others who held no office or political
position OF any kind"
"Well, what do you think of the poht-
cal situation in Virginia.
Il have nothing 10 conceal, so Tar as
my views are concerned. Indeed, l reel
cOmplimented that you should desire them
still. / have no desire TO parade them.
You have asked me several times respect
ing the matter, and in complying now
with your request l certainly cannot be
deemed obtrusive. Still, / am reminded OF
an old proverb, which says If your foot
slip you may recover your balance, but IL
your mouth slip you cannot recover your
words
"On Virginia politics. then, 1 am an
optimist No people In the world can
stand defeat better. and none can D.
ready for the next fight with more alac-
rity than they. Those who imagine that
there exists a great split in Virginia, INTO
which a Republican wedge will be driven
next fall, laying ii wide open, are doomed
20 disappointment. When II splits IL
splits itself. but the split is always closed
when there appears any danger from the
Republican wedge. Virginia has never
failed TO cast it's vote for Democratic
President or 10 elect a Democratic Cover
nor hut once That was In the fight OF
the two G's, and it seems that she then
thought that Grant was a better Demo-
crat than Greeley and hence her vote was
cast for Grant. once she elected a He
adiuster mo Republican ram Governor
THE GOLD MEN.
but how about the so-called god
bugs
let me tell you; two brothers may
fight over a horse-race, but In the mldst
OF A they will stop and Join hands 10
protect their mother from danger q
presidential election in Virginia IS not as
important to her people as IS bdperha-
torial election and the election OF mem
bers of the Legislature. There were 'ho9e
OF our party who disagreed win as in nc
late presidential campaign, ana thOuen
not active stood by us Loyalty ana No'eu
for Bryan Certainly they are not 10 pe
ignored. There were others who not oniy
disagreed with us, but left Us. why
Ignore them? Our party believes tina.
rnaforities shall direct. Who, then, VIII
advocate ignoring any white man IN Nn-
slnia who Joins as for better or TOT WORST
An our state fight? In the days OF heau-
iusterlsm some OF the best men IN inc
State left us. Where are they to-day !"
Che ranks Of our party. Without them we
could not have gained the sweeping VIZ
tory in 1888: and the battle which pld0eu
Fitz Lee in the gubernatorial chalr III
isS5 would not have been won, carrying
the State by 1900 majority
There are thousands of the rank
and.nle Of the Democratic party
thousands OF the white men Of Virginia
who constituted the Peoples party III
lea3 and also In 1894 who lowered our
majority because they did not vote with
us. Where are they to-day? Battling
with US against radical Republicanism
and plutocracy.
"What would you suggest, thenY
80 FAR as the Democratic party Is con
oerned. YOU remember suggested
through your columns. that In this year
1891 81 would be political wisdom 10 eau
a national delegated convention 10 uls
cuss and Formulate organization ana
policy. This did not seem 10 meet WIN
very enthusiastic concurrence. In me
absence Of any action Of the national
organization, / would suggest that, ia
me Nt,,t,ts democracy acting for itself,
IL sbould invite all who would 70 join
us in our primaries and conventicns-.he
only test or qualification necessary peins
a determination TO abide the aetion, ana
support the platform and candidates
A BAD WORKMAN.
This would let in even Democrats who
voted for Mckinley or Palmer
We'll, II is a bad workman who quar-
rels with tools / think our friends VINO
voted as above were mistaken. Such
inlstakeg however. often occur IN poll