The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-10-31
, NEWS FROM THE SOUTHWEST.

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publishes letter from a, special CORE
spondent at Abingdon, in which tne
political sitnation in the Southwest y
reviewed. Among other things the cor
respondent says:
From intelligent comments here one
would infer that much OF the Dei,iS-
cr,a1i, speaking has not been very con
yinci,ac ito the voters. There Las pee'i
Etfle talk about the efficacy OF 4 tSou
Stitiltional Convention that mas Nsei
satisfactory to the horny-handea SOUS
Sc Toll. who measure the Cost OF tIi:ls
ssnnyention--Sl. 900 4 day. as the ite
publican orators claim-by the price OF
q lusbel OF No wheat or Il seek
steer we'll tattened for the marker. I'ie
illitcrate voters in ile mountain re-
cions are terribly frightened about lite
talk of disfranchising White men, ana
Colonel Hogc has been able TO pa!
siDon their imaginatlons very pon =
fully by the fact. probably not VIII
ont significance that the convention
,aid NOT forthwith make plain that there
Z was no prospect of such disfrancilise
ment. but adjourned to conlplele me
task after the election.
1T is one Of the hardest things in TINS
world to correct an erroneous impress
sion when once it has taken hold. Inc
impression has been made upon man!
people, and the Republican orators are
largely responsible for it, and are sun
doing all in their power to strengthen
ut, that the Constitutional Convention
will disfranchiSe a large number OF
white voters. Tie president OF the
Convention. the chairman OF the DEM
pcratic paprty. the Democratic noml-
nee for Governor have done all that
they could to reassure the voters ana
nave told them positively that no
white man will be DISTINGUISHED, out
we might as well recognize the iaS;'
that the impression exists and that IL
has seriously hurt the Democratic
party in many sections.
These people do not stop to inquire
how it will do them any good TO eject
n Republican Governor and 4 Repub-
licau Legislature. The members Oh
the Convention have already been
chosen and the triumph of the RepuD-
Iican party next Tuesday could have
no effect whatever upon the action OF
the Convention in preventing 1T from
pursuing q chosen course. The Con
yention is composed almost entirely
Of Democrats, and if a large number
of white men should vote the kepuo-
1ican ticket in the next election ana
elect Republican Governor. the Dem
ocratic members Of the Convention
would certainly be more disposed than
otherwise to disfranchise that class OF
white men.
Mark you, we do not mean to make
such threat, for it would be re-
Election upon an honorable body OF
men. we simply mean to emphasize
the fact that those men who fear ihat
they will be disfranchised under the
new Constitution cannot hope to i'm
prove their chances by giving their
support to the Republicans. The whole
proposition is absurd and childish and
unworthy Of a man Of sense-of a man
who is qualified to vote and to exer-
else the rights of citizenship.
But that is not the point Of this ar
ticle. This Abingdon correspondent
says, and we have reason TO believe
that he is right, that there is much dis
satisfaction and disatfection in the
Southwest and we believe that thai
condition exists in other parts of the
State. 1t is therefore Of prime I'M
portance that every true Democrat in
the State, no matter where he lives
and no matter how large the Demo-
cratic majority in his section may be,
10 90 to the polls and vote the Demo
cratic ticket. BY this we mean to say
that THE DEMOCRATIC STRONG
HOLDS SHOULD POLL THEIR
FULL STRENGTH, for we may need
these votes to overcome Republican
majorities in the mountain districts.
We cannot employ language too
strong TO impress this important fact.
In some sections there are no IaepIb-
lican candidates for the Legislature,
and, we apprehend, designedly SO. For
that reason Democrats in such sec
tions may feel that there is no need
of their going out to vote, as the Dem
ocratic nominees for the Legislature
will be elected in any event But we
tell them that that is a mistaken view
and a dangerous view. While their
votes may not be necessary to elect
the legislative nominees, their votes
& may be greatly needed for the general
ticket We therefore urge upon all
Democrats. in whatever section they
may be- to turn out on election day ani
vote the straight Democratic ticket.
1t will not do TO take chances. 1t is
hazardous. it is reckless. 1t would lie
great disaster for this State at This
time to fall into the hands OF the Re-
publican party, and The only way 20
prevent ii is for the Democrats TO vote.
1iae salvation of the State depends upon
Democrats.
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THE NEdR,'s TRUE FRIENDS.