Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-10-27
DEMOCRATIC DUTY.

Under the caption. "A Word 20 Demo-
Gratis" the Lynchburg News treats the
Independent movement in a calm, conser-
vative, but none the less forcible, way.
It's article Is pregnant with suggestions
TO which all Democrats should give
thoughtful consideration.
First addressing itself to the necessity
for party vigilance and discipline. the
News notes that there is little or no ex-
element in the present campaign, and
that as a rule the people seem to be in
different about the approaching election,
and then says:
"The apparent Indifference arises from
the general conviction that Democratic
asCendency In the state is not I'm dan
ger This may be true enough. But i'm
politics. as in war il is not we'll TO be
too confident a relaxation of vigilance
always furnishes the enemy an Oppor-
tunity TO gain some advantage If
Democrats stay az home on election day.
believing that their votes are not needed,
they may wake up the next morning
10 find that the enemy has stolen march
upon them"
No argument is necessary TO establish
the truth Of this contention. Aforetime
seats in the General Assembly have been
lost to the Democrats owing to the exis-
tence Of just the conditions the News
describes. And a little advantage gained
by the enemy here, and a little there.
may develop into a big advantage, be-
fore we know it. The Republicans are
ceaselessly on the watch to turn these
little advantages TO account.
Next IN continuing the discussion of
this branch OF its subject. the News calls
attention TO the number OF independent
and Republican candidates in the field,
and adds:
'The individual voter may say 10 him
self, oh, there is no danger Of sucn q
result; my vote cannot be missed. Other
Democrats will save the state Now
II one Democrat can act this way, why
cannot others? Why cannot all others?'
Precisely. What is the privilege of the
individual Democrat in the matter Of
disregarding his obligation to his party
and the best interests of the Common
wealth Is the privilege of the mass of
Democrats. And. obviously, what is the
obligation of tho mass of Democrats is
the obligation of the individual Demo
crat.
Other points made by our Lynchburg
contemporary are these:
"The only safe rule is for every man
to DO his patriotic duty and so to the
polls on election day and deposit his
ballot for the regular nominees, be-
cause no independent has a right 70
claim Democratic support. BY becom-
ing an Independent candidate, he is do
ing what he can 10 break down the De-
uiocratic organization and aiding TO build
up the Republican party"
Precisely. again. Independentism is, IN
its practical operation, nothing more MOI
loss than Republicanism in disguise. The
mission OF the independent is TO prepare
the ground FOR the sowing Of Republican
seed And II, as the News claims-and
we hold that experience has established
the claim beyond questionable continued
ascendency Of the Democratic party is es
sential TO the best interests of Virginia
the rule OF Democratic duty laid down by
our contemporary is the only rule 10y
which any Democrat can walk without
smltifying himself. In conclusion, the
News says:
at is true that every citizen has tho
legal right 10 stay at home on election
day or TO bolt his party nominations
But every Democrat should seriously
consider whether he has the moral right
20 90 that which Will tend 90 break dowr
the party TO which Virginia owes hei
present domestic peace and prosperity
There is no doubt as 20 the soundness
OF both OF these propositions. But therC
IS also no doubt that the moral issue pre-
scented IN the second should determine
the course Of every Democrat. And. not
withssanding the lack of excitement IL
the campaign. II the moral obligation
shall have the weight IL should have, al
viii be we'll