The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-07
THE SUFFRAGE QUESTION IN
VIRGINIA

Our esteemed contemporary, the Nor
folk Virg niac-Pilot. discusses the suf-
fage question In good temper and With
good reason from it's point of view, and
We have read it's articles, although in
contrayentioa of the position taken by
The Times. with pleasure and profit. 1t
is only BY such discussions that fair and
to be gained by fanatical hacangues, by
abuse. by ciapt,ap, and by such other
means as den1egogu employ in discuss
ing q public question. II any good is to
come out of an argument men must take
hold Of the question iR-rhe admirable
temper displayed by our Norfolk con-
temporary. and with the earnest desire
which our contemporary also manifests
TO get at the truth
There is no difference on this point be-
tween the virginian-pilot and The Times
in the question under discussion. The
only difference is as to the means to an
end. Both papers are honestly and earn
estly DESTROYS Of seeing the best govern
ment in Virginia and that is, necessarily.
to be had by the rule OF the whites. We
believe that the best results are to be OBJ
tanned by eliminating the negro vote. The
Virginian-PiIot thinks that it is danger
ton and is surprised that The Times is
willing to make such an experiment. The
Times does not believe that it is to the
interest of the State Of Virginia that
there should be practically only one party
with various conflicting elements, held to-
Gcthcr simply and solely by the fear Of
negro rulc. Under our scheme of gov
eminent there must be- in order 10 the
best results, two equally respectable,
evenly matched parties, and that is what
we desire 10 see in the State of Virginia
For our part. we believe with all our
heart and soul in the Virginia Demo-
cracy, and we expect to be for all time
TO come an ally OF that party and in
utilization witt, 1t. But our conviction is
equally strong that there should be an
other party in Virginia equally as good
and respectable as the Democratic party.
There are many men in the party who
out and organize a, party more to their
liking if the negro question were out of
the way. We want to see political eman-
cipation in Virginia. We want to see the
shacl:les thrown off SO that each and
every good citizen may choose his own
party aiiiliation unTeservedly and without
fear as to consequences. We do not want
10 hold in the Democratic organization
mon who prefer the Republican party.
The only way to bring emancipation is to
get rid of the fear OF negro rule, and
that is why We are in favor of elimnat-
ing the negro, If it can be accomplished
honestly and equitably- We are opposed
to making doubtful experiments in poll
alous, and sooner or later there must
come a change. We believe that it is
best for the interest CT the Democratic
party and for the State at large that this
coming change should be anticipated and
that the Democratic party should, of its
own volition, bring about the change in
its own way, rather than wait until the
change is brought about through some
revolutionary upheaval.
The Virginian-Pilot says that there is
already a split in the Democratic party
and a pretty wide one True enough
and the Democrats should be warned
thereby. There is no stronger argument,
in our opinion, than this TACT when our
contemporary admits and asserts in favor
Of The Times contention.