Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-28
MR.. wIsE's MANIFESTO.
The Second District Congressman's
.s Address to His Friends.

Tho Second District Congressman
~ Address to His Friends.
Congressman Richard A. Wise has just
issued an address to the Republicans OF
| the Second District.
1t Is quite a unique document. in many
respects, and was widely discussed here
yesterday by members of that party. 1t
| contains scathing denunciation Of the
present organization. but counsek the
Wickhamites to drop all contr Pness,
participate Ia the meetings called by the
Republican chairrnen OF the cities and
counties. who have lately been recognized
as such by Mark Hanna, and endeavor
to wrest the authority from these self
constituted guardians"
Mr.. WISES MANIFESTO.
The text OF. the address is as follows:
To My Republican Friends in the Second
Congressional District:
The situation OF our party In this dis
trict demands that say a few words
10 you concerning the approaching nomi-
nation of a Republican candidate for
Congress. r
First of all, LET me thank you for your
past support of me, and congratulate you
that we wero able TO thwsrt the attempt
Of our opponents to falsify the returns.
There Is no reason why, with loyal CO.
operation among Republicans in this dis
trict, We cannot continue to have Re
publican representative.
A nominating convention has been call
ed. 1t is called by number of chair
men whose authority has not heretofore
been recognized or admitted by many of
my friends. Still, the question who are
the Republican chairmen of the cities and
counties composing this district has gone
before Mr.. Hanna, chairman of the Re-
publican National Committee, and he has
recognized the parties who have made
this call.
A PITIFUL MINORITY.
Knowing the pitiful minority OF Repub-
licans In this district represented by these
chalrmen, their recognition is naturally
provoking to us. But it would be un--
profitable to discuss the methods by which
they have ingratiated themselves with
the National Committee. 1t is reasonably
certain that In any conflict challenging
their authority, they would have the sup
port of the national chairman. and he in
turn would be sustained by the National
Committee.
1t seems folly, therefore, to ignore their
call, or TO persist in any call through the
real chairmen. All we could accomplish
by such a course would be the division
of the party and inevitable defeat.
AS a loyal Republican. / am unwilling
to pursue such a course. In It's results 1t
would aid Democracy and put us In this at
titude Of denying the highest party authority
and committing the same treason which
we have so severely denounced In others.
To give such a movement strength suf-
ficient to divide the party vote would
involve an expense far beyond the value
of any result to be hoped for. No party
aid could be expected. and everything
done would tend to counteract the eff
forts of the national party organization.
and place those participating in the eff
fort outside OF the party pale. If not as
allies of the Democracy.
THE PLAN OF ACTION.
am opposed to this. For one. favor
submitting to wrong and outrage within
my party rather than helping my political
adversaries. The Republican party is in
the majority in this district, and We are
a majority Of the Republican party. With
anything short Of outrage, we can estab-
lish the fact in any meeting OF Repub-
leans, by whomsoeyer called; and the
period during which self-constituted
guardians can maintain supremacy here
S necessarily brief. whatever bolstering
they may temporarily secure from out
siders. Let us not, then, be driven into
The attitude of boilers.
My advice to all Republicans Is to drop
all controversy about the authority or
hese chairmen: TO participate in the
meetings they have called; to attend their
and there to demand their
rlBntS. 1T Will DS tlIIlS tuOu5u W Viz
,uss our future course If further out
RACES are attempted Until they are, let
is hope that there will be none. If, with
we can secure a united Re-
publican party, let US make every effort |
o do so, and TO that end let us treat what |
las passed as past.
IL am the nominee Of a united party, |
will run again, and make another con- |
est for our rights, If we are cheated. |
leave II to you to say whether l am
untitled to this honor.
RICHARD A. WISE.
Williamsburg, Va, July 81, 1898.