Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-08
THURSDAY. .........APRIL 8, 1897
DEMOCRATS WIDE AWAKE.

The Democratic party Is lar liOih bcin5
dead. All the obituaries upon ii have
been premature. Nevertheless, they have
served good purpose. They have &C.
ceived the enemy, and the consequence is
that the enemy are ours in many places
out West
These victories, coming upon Republi-
can losses which occurred in New Eng
land and New York a month ago, go to
show that confidence is restored'-in
the Democratic party. Indeed, we may
say that though the money and ingenuity
of Mr.. Haana made the fact appear
otherwise, the people did not lose conf
dence in us last year. Many votes were
constrained on that occasion, and many
Of our wandering brethren have seized
the very first opportunity that they have
had to turn their backs upon Republican
ism.
Our victories this week were spread
over a large extent of territory, though
the greatest Of them were won in Chi
cago and in the States Of Ohio, Michigan.
and Kansas. Furthermore, the testimony
comes from unmpeachable sources that
not local politics only" figured in these
elections. No. indeed. Without a Ques-
ton the people are already Disguised with
McKinleyism.
In the first place. they were told that
the trouble with the country was "a lack
of confidence" We were assured that
the defeat Of Bryan and the election of
Mckinley would instantly restore con-
ndence 1t did not do so. But worse than
this disappointment is the positive wrong
done the country by the proposed Ding
ley tariff. n
Here we have a tariff so sectional, I'M
fair. and extortionate that outcries against
II are heard even in New England. And
on top of the Dingley disgrace we have
the Grosvenor amendment. by which it
Is proposed to make the Dingley duties
retrospective. Next we have the Secre-
tary OF the Treasury issuing orders TO
prepare TO enforce the Dingley bill before
1t becomes law.
So we must say that our wandering
brethren have ample reasons FOX. return
ing to the Democratic party The truth
Is that thousands Of them left us very
urrwillingly last fall, and being now free
from restraint they joyfully take their
places in the ranks where they have al
ways fought
We cannot but believe from the cleo
tons that have taken place this year-that
n we could 90 into a general election now
we would rout the enemy, horse, foot,
and Dragons" We have the same faith
I'm local elections that Sammy Tilden had.
He was right in saying that If you VIII
watch how the town" elections so, you
will be able to forecast the politics OF
the country as a whole. Mr.. Tilden used
the word town" i'm the New England
sense. meaning township" which in
cludes not only the small towns, but the
country districts adjacent.
The truth IS. the people of these United
States are disguised and disappointed
with the party in power Many of them
were led TO believe that il was only
necessary 10 defeat Mr. Bryan TO restore
the country 10 prosperity. Wen, MI
BRYAN was defeated. but with the results
Of McKiniey's election before the people
BRYAN is to-day more popular man than
Mckinley.
The elections Of this week have done
much 10 hearten Democrats. Our vic
tories give proof that our grand old party
is very much alive and exceedingly pug
nacious Furthermore, business will be
helped by our victories. How? Why, the
spectre OF Billy Bryan and his l6-to-l
banner has already come before the Re
publicans' eyes again. and these fellows
are ready to rush themselves to death
almost 10 hasten legislation which Will
"down" the dreaded visitor. These VIC
tories Of ours win assurediy spur the Re
publicans to do their best, and cannot but
strengthen the hands Of conservative Re
publican senators. In fine, we are conn
dent they will expedite action upon the
tariff. ..t nj, 4aflt