Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-16
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| Mark hanna Is aiready Claiming tht
glory of the war for the Republican party
and predicting that the next president
will be elected on the glory issue and
will be Republican.
Well. If the glory of the war attaches
| to the Republican party, how much more
does the responsibility for the extrava-
gances and the mismanagement Of the
war attach TO that party? Along with
the glory record the Republicans must
carry also the extravagances and blunder,
and such jobbery record as promises to
be brought TO light.
The Republican party has had the off,
ciai management of the war, has had con-
troll OF the strings of the nations purse
and has had charge OF the giving out OF
all the contracts. AS to these latter mat
tiers. II Hanna would not have a very
damaging record piled up against his
party he would better rnuzzle some of the
leading Republican organs. These organs
are not only showing that Grass stupidity
and gross incompetency have obtained IN
certain managing quarters, but lead us TO
anticipate still more interesting revela-
tons"
The Democrats do not need any stronger
Indictment against the Republican party
than can be made up from the columns
Of such stalwart Republican papers, for
instance. as the New York Press.
But the fact that the Republican party
will have TO carry the responsibility
named will cause 1t to fight all the more
desperately to retain power, and the
fight will open In this congressional cam
paign. Aside from the Fascination
the handling of a big revenue would,
under any circumstances hold out for the
Grand Old Party, there is a special and
vital reason why that party should seek
to perpetuate its power just at present
There is the consideration Of its being
in position to cover up its tracks. 1t needs
to secure the advantage of the softening
influences of time upon public temper.
Should the Democrats dominate the next
House Of Representatives, warm
season I'm the way of investigation Is a
certainty And should even half the
exposures now limited at in Republican
quarters alone, materlalize. the chances
Of a Republican triumph in the ensuing |
presidential election would become as
much attenuated as Is the party's claim
to the exclusive real glory of the war.
SO we repeat that the present congress
sonal campaign is going TO mark the |
opening of the struggle. Moreover, Vir-
ginia is going TO be one of the battle
fields. And while it is not probable that |
Hanna will essay to work the glory
racket" here TO any great extent, unless !
all signs fail, he will attempt to work
the barrel racket" among our people |
the same racket" he attempted to work |
among them in the last presidential cam
paign.
Let Virginia Democrats stick pin |
here, at the same time remembering |
that In view Of the general situation the |
result Of the congressional. elections |
throughout the country is more likely |
10 determine the result Of the next pres
dental election than has been the case
N many years. And remembering that,
ct them do their full part in November
towards determining the latter result in
he interests of the national Democracy.
which means the interest of the masses.