The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-20
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nation could have been presented. Yet,
we lost the Valley and Southwest, and in
AZ counties with q white voting maJori-
" OF 125, 147, with all the effort that was
ocssibic and the Observation-Disclosures
incident to help, our ticket received
paltry majority of 2,09l-
Now for Il remedy of the ills that have
befallen us, and the means to avoid the
greater ills that threaten US.
Let free silver lie where events have
cast 1t; never resurrect 1t. Cease crinii-
nation over a defunct Issue. Discard all
bitterness engendered in 1896 and 1909.
Give the people what the worthy AMI
honest among them demand-an elective
system which will insure pure elections.
Deal carefully with suffrage Observe
the provisions of the Constitution of the
United States and resort to no Subter-
fuge to evade them. Strike down no
mans voting privilege because he is poor
OF iliterate. Brave and true hearts beat
under threadbare coats and around peN-
erty's hearthstone. as we'll as in satin
attire or beneath palatiai roots; loyalty
to State and devotion to her interests
live in the breasts Of the untutoreo, as
well as in the breasts OF the learned Viz
ginias defenders in all her history have
como from the ranks Of her poor and I'M
Iettered sons as we'll as from the ranks
of the wealthy and cultured Seek 10
elevate rather than degrade, all who
have acted we'll their part, however NUM-
BILE. Let the party continue TO De the
party Of the people: the party OF the
masses and not of classes let 1t Keep
it's pledge-the pledge as the People I'M
derstood it. and submit the Constitution
to the people, all of the people. Let there
be no strained construction, nc nicely
To
people, meant.
Doctors and professors and men who
want to appear
TO be wise above that which is writ
ten.
may discuss the question to their heart s
content but the leaders of the Demo
cratic party must take the construction
OF the masses.
In conclusion, let me say, that nothing
I have written has been intended as
reflection upon the convention. l have
recognized from the first, that the mem
bers of this honorable body have had
most difficult task. 1t is an able assem-
bla-e: it has many brainy men. During
its session many of the views expressed
have seemed to to be radical, ana
some of the propositions have struck me
as rather reckless. J. have not scen abe
to see how al! white men could be en-
frarchiSed, and all illlterate, or Aon-pTop-
erty-holding negroes could be dlstran-
cbised. Neither have I been able to DIS
Germ the injustice or wisdom of such
provision, if it would stand the test or the
courts However, I think | can discover
that q spirit OF conservatism IS spreading
throughout the body, and am beginning
to look for good results.
Now. Mr. Editor, I have indicated the
course which, IL my humble judgment
the Democratic party should pursue III
order to gain it's lost ground in the white
counties. T may be wrong: II may De-
that the disafection is more deeply roote
than / think; but I hope not. 1t may De
that the seeds OF Republican! doctrine have
taken root aud viii bring IN rs an I'M
welcome harvest-day: but my faith IN the
sturdy sons Of these sections Will abld2
with me TO the last.
I have sounded warning. l nave pre-
scented conditions as they appear to me,
and as I believe they will appear to 9th
ers, after they shall nave scanned ana
considered the facts I have given.
trust the leaders of the Democratic par
tv will at least bestir themselves, and
remember the sacred Injunction:
..I.et him that thinketh he standeth
take heed lest he fall.
> DEMOCRAT.