Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1900-04-05
THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 1900.
PARTY HARMONY.

Republican party in Virginia is harmony
among its leaders as we'll as in the ranks
Without the former exists it is not likely
We can have the latter.
1t is true that the Republicans in this
State are very much handicapped by the
character of the opposition party and the
outrageous methods it has employed for
wears to control elections in its own inter-
ests. But we are not so much OF a pessi-
mist as to believe that outrage and fraud
can not be overcome, even though they be
as strongly entrenched as they are in Viz
ginia.
There can be no question that with an
honest election and fair count the ma
iority in this Commonwealth would he
with the Republican party. The Demo-
cratic party recognized that such condi'
ton would come if an honest ballot was
permitted, and for that reason began to
form plans and enact laws to obstruct aud
prevent it. The Anderson'McC ormlck
law was the commencement Of its plans,
and the enactuAnt of the Walton law
completed the scheme of fraud and crime.
There is no longer any pretense Of honest
elections, but the Democratic leaders adj
NIT that frauds are committed, and Demo-
cratic newspapers try to justify. The Re-
publican party, however, embarrassed by
such seemingly insurmountable obstacles,
has shown great and growing strength,
that might have, before this, secured VIC
tory, if there had been union of senti-
ment and action among its leaders. In
1896 Mckinley received 1898 votes III
Virginia. He received a majority in 43 OF
the 100 counties, and came within an
average of Al votes of carrying eleven
other counties. The Republicans elected
four Congressman who obtained their
seats, and the Honorable John Brown
WAS fairly elected from the Fifth District,
but was cheated out of the seat by Claude
A. Swanson.
The result of the elections in 1896 ought
to have been very encouraging to the Re-
publicans, and renewed efforts should have
been made at each succeeding election to
increase the strength aud confidence of the
rank and file Of the party. But the State
organization conceived the idea that it
was best to pursue policy Of mastery In
activity, and disbanded the splendid army
of one hundred and thirty.fve thousand
men who rallied to the standard Of Nc
Kinley. Not only did the organization
make that dreadful blunder, but a fight
was begun over the Federal patronage, land
a quarrel as to who should control the
party organization vas precipitated, that
brought disaster to the party and lack OF
confidence in the leadership.
Without severely criticising the mistakes
of the past, we will indulge the fond hope
that the unwise policy of inactivity, that
has heretofore obtained under the advice
of our leadership, will be discarded. Those
who originated and enforced it may have
been sincere in their purpose, but even
that has been questioned, not only at
home but by party leaders in Congress
and by the Republican press of the coun'
try. 1t has been demonstrated that the
avowed object for disbanding our forces,
that of creating independent movements
and dissensions in the Democratic party,
has proved dismal failure. 1t only served
to give the Democrats solid Legislature
at the last legislative election, the few in
dependent Democrats who were elected
showing more anxiety to get into the ma
chine caucus than did the regular machine
men. There is no hope of winning over
to our side, or to the aid of honest cleo
tons any conservative Democrat by a
policy of inaction and cowardice. This
can only be done by a persistent fight for
principle and an unceasing battle against
fraud. The stubborn fight made by the
Kentucky Republicans against fraudu-
lent election law, which was modelled after
the Virginia election law, has won for them
the admiration of political friends and the
respect of their political foes.
In every coming election let the Repub'
lican flag be found floating, and zee that
every soldier in the ranks is at the front.
This is the only way we can ever make Re-
publicanism triumphant in Virginia. Our
former successes should encourage us to
believe that victory can be won.
There must be harmonious and unselfish
leadership, then harmony and courage
will be restored to the ranks.
THE Southern Democrats are now close
~ occupied trying to convince the people