Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-09

caucuses of the General Assembly Of
Virginia. They We're q little too smart
to follow the unhappy example Of the
State machine and butt their heads
against stone wall Of popular indig-
nation, and SO they DODGED THE
QUESTION, and resorted to the I'M
manly and unworthy device of passing
the matter by-hoping, 1 suppose, that
1t would sleep the sleep of death in
some pigeon hole. They made the
second dodge on the 4th inst, and
again passed the matter by. They will
never have the nerve to declare that
he Is not n Democrat--they cannot af-
ford to do it-because the Democratic
voters OF that Senatorial district have
in their sovereign capacity commits
stoned him as a Democrat of the truest
type. And it is easy to perceive that
great many honest Democrats through
out this Congressional district. and, in
deed, throughout the State. are in cor
dial sympathy with the Democrats of
the Southampton Senatorial district.
Take my word for it, the Democratic
! legislative caucus will never come to
a direct vote and openly declare that
Mr.. Stands is not u Democrat. 1t is
not difficult to foresee the result of an
open contest between the political ma
chine on one side and the DEMO
CRATIC PEOPLE on the other.
| Mr.. Stands has become n conspicu-
GUS figure in the politics of Virginia.
He occupies n high position, and the
eyes Of many honest Democrats are
! fixed upon him as n true, faithful and
brave leader. I, for one. have but
single regret in connection with his
brilliant political career so far. He
very properly presented himself at the
door of the Democratic legislative eau
Gus; but when they paltered with him
and suggested that his seat of fellow
ship was contested, and that he could
take seat for the present in the body,
but not be allowed to vote-not allow
ed the privileges of n member of the
body until the matter should be con-
sidered-I should have been pleased to
see him put on his hat and walk out of
the body and remain out until he was
invited back. I think he made an I'M
due concession when he permitted his
party fealty to be called in question
when he had in hts pocket n patent of
Democratic nobility granted to him by
the white Democratic voters of his dis
trict. I do not say that 1 blame him
for what he did in the interest OF har-
mony, but only that. as an individual
Democrat, I should have been little
better pleased il he had pursued the
course I have above indicated. But
this only by the way.
Just picture in your mind the meet
ing of the next nominating convention
in the Second Congressional District
Mr.. Stands will he there. Of course,
with the solid backing of the entire
| Democracy OF glorious old Southamp-
ton county and the great bulk of those
of Nansemond and Isle of Wight. with
a large contingent from all the other
counties and cities. And then ina sinc
If you can. some aspirant for Congress
sional honors rising in his place and
moving that Mr.. Stands stand aside
as not being a good Democrat. DO you
think there will be any such man
there? And if there shall he don't you
think he Will be 4 more suitable can
didatc for n lunatic asylum than for
Il seat in Congress? Nous vcrrous
We shall see.
AN OLD-FASHIONED DEMOCRAT.