The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-22
HEALTHY TALK.

dilO LII! liiS1 CUiIitilSill Is unnecessary.
HEALTHY TALK
The Norfolk Yirginian-Piot is contend
ing that the disfranchisenent Of the
negro in Virginia would tend to des-
stroy the Democratic party; that the
party is stronger with The negro in
politics than it would be if the negro
were eliminated, because the whites are
held together by the fear Of negro rule.
The Blackstone Courier says in reply
to this thai i there arc dissatisfied Gle
1ncnts IN the Democratic party. who are
waiting for opportunity TO join the Re
publican or any other party, the sooner
the party gives them that opportunity
the better it will be for those who remain.
In reply to the same article the Lynch
burg News says that. while it is posi-
bic that some persons now acting with
the Democratic party might go over 10
the Republican ranks should the negro be
eliminated nnd make that party more
mitisated evil and might be a blessing
to the State. Under our form OF gov
eminent adds the News, two parties
nearly equal in strength are indispens-
able to The purity and efficiently of the
government When one party has undis-
puted control for a number of years
abuses are liable TO grow M, which it
is difficult, if not Impossible. to correct;
but when there is a powerful ana vigil
ant opposition party it acts as u check
ON the dominant power and compels
caution. purity and justice in the man
agement Of public afIrirs.'
This is healthy talk. 1t is a sort OF
talk that is needed in Virginia. There
ought TO be two we'll matched. equally
respectable parties in this State, and the
sooner We have them the better it will be
for the Commonwealth. The Democratic
party has a good record, and for our
present for a change in the administca-
ton OF public affairs. We ii, .e always
been in the Democratic party Of Virginia,
and we expect to be III it to the end.
there should be respectable minority
party 1t is in accordance with the fund
.,nental principles of our government
that there should he two oartics-the
one to act as a check upon the other.
and it is contrary to the genius of our
government to have only one party in
the State.
As we have time md again said,
there was need in Virginia Of political
emancipation. There arc many men in
the Democratic party who do not believe
in it's principles. and who held there
simply because they ara afraid OF negro,
rule, or because they do not think it
respectable under existing conditions
in the South to be Republican. They
are held in the party against their WILL
and we would like to see them liberated
We have 10 sympathy with the con-
tention Of our Norfolk contemporary
that the Democratic party could not hold
its own against au opposition party if
the negro question We're out OF the way.
The Democratic party may stand upon
its achievements. 1t has nothing to fear
from opposition. But whether that were
true or not, if the party is not able 10
maintain itself on its merits, it ought
TO be defeated. Before the war there
were two strong opposition parties in Viz
ginia, and there was at every election a
fight for the supremacy but while the
contests were sharp, and even bitter at
times, our elections were always fair
and honest, and no matter which party
won, the people were sure Of an honest
and efficient government. We long to see
the State return to that condition. and
If this can be accomplished by the
elimination of the negro vote it will, as
the Lynchburs News says, be a public
benefaction.