Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-22
THE CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN.

The preliminary congressional CAM
paign In Virginia is becoming some
what lively, and We judge the same Is
true as TO many other States; yet we
much fear that public attention will be
sngrossed with the war to an extent that
will be dangerous to the success Of our
party. unless we are careful TO guard
against il as much as possible.
The Republicans will not hesitate TO
claim most of the credit for whatever
success attends our arms, and they will
not be too modest to assert that that
will entitle them to a continuance in
power in the United States House of
REPRESENTATIVES,. Furthermore, they will
be quick TO take advantage OF the new
issues that the war may give rise TO.
And of such issues there will be plenty.
There will be questions relating 10 the
army and navy, others relating to the
Philippines, and still others relating to
a permanent government for Cuba.
Though these things appear to be far
away in the future, the prudent states
man knows they are ahead OF us, and
really not so distant, either. 1t, there
fore. behooves our Senators and Repre-
sentatives to be very vigilant. OF course,
our first duty is TO the country, but the
two parties are by no means agreed as
TO what the path of duty is.
The Republicans have an immense adj
vantage over us in being in control OF
the vast machinery which is employed in
CARRYING on the war, and IL they do not
use It, it will be the first time in their
history that they have neglected such an
opportunity.
We are all patriots. but still we find
that Republicans are Republican,
and we hope that Democrats will con-
tlnue TO be Democrats. The contest that
will come off this fall will be between
the two old parties. and we shall have
the old speeches and appeals freshened
up and enlarged by the introduction of
matter that is the outgrowth of this war
Unless we much mistake the signs of
the times, this country will need the
services OF the Democratic party as much
during the next year or two as it ever
needed 1t in all its history. Passing
events warn us TO be on the lookout for
schemes that threaten TO transcend an
cient landmarks, and put at naught the
best-laid plans of the founders of our
government.
We would have the Democratic party
do everything that is possible and proper
TO win a glorious peace, but we do not
want a victory over Spain that will be q
blow 10 the bedrock theories OF our
government. 1t would be dearly
bought triumph If we were to crush
Spain and extend our territory only TO
inaugurate an era of centralism and
militarism! Yet the portents are that
those are results we have to fear. And,
we repeat. 1t is only TO the Democratic
party that the country can look for sal
walton. IL tho Republicans were left
unchecked, there's no telling to what
length they would so. Therefore.
we wish the old Democratic party TO be
gathering its strength for the inevitable
contest.
We must preserve our organization.
keep on the watch. and be ever ready
20 do battle for our cause day and night.
The war will be followed by a great
political conflict. Our party will need
its most trusty and sagacious men IN
Congress.
The part OF true patriotism is not only
20 see TO IL that our arms triumph. but
that the victory we are counting upon
shall be utilized, when It comes. to the
lasting honor and glory OF the Union.
There is already much wild talk about
"a great standing army" and IAN inn
mense navy" This cannot be checked
too soon. II we wish TO keep our govern
ment within the bounds laid down by
the greatest Americans who have ever
Lived.
-
Would. II not ne well to walt until WE