The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-10-18
FRIDAY. OCTOBER is, 1901.
ELECTIONS AND REVOLUTION

Orr readers will recail lildL Oh my
than one occasion, in discussing az,
frequency of revolutions III the sou1o
American republics, SO called, we nave
said that they were due primarily 10
dishonest elections. We are intete's-
ed 10 note that The Times is susiaisle'i
In this view by Edwin Emerson, 9t,'
sneeial war correspondent OF Golfer 5
Weekly. who writes from Caracas, un-
der date of September 25th, concern
ing the late election in Venezuela lis
letter is introduced as follows:
The long-heralded preliminary sisc
tions of Nenezuela nave peeii nsi1 ~
last. Cipriano Castro, the p pro, isio'i -,
head OF the government, - plo9u 80 -
report that the affair has passed. O.
without bloodshed and that ms Sou
proposed nomination tor Il seven-years
presidency has been Enthusiastically
Endorsed by the people. There We're no
otIar candidates. CaStro'S soidiefS
saw 10 that. Another election TO tllc
same purpose VIII be held presently
10 ratify the so-called voice oil t'ie
people"
Everybody understands, Of course,
3fat sIich elections are nothing but az
amiable farce. fashioned after the pat
tern of the Napolconic pleblscites, luz
real voice Of the people in Sol!th
America speaks but in one WaE-I;le
way of revolution and civil war. Inc
rifle and the machetc are the true ''ai
lot-boA Of Iatin-AmeIitan poiltlcs.
He then goes ON 10 say that it WAS
not intended that these should play
any part in Eenezuela's latest election.
On the eve of the primaries, we are
told the troops went forth and gath
cred in all the suspects and vagabonds
they could lay their hands on and
forcibly enrolled them as volunteers III
the .'ever-victorious" army of Nenez-
uela. AT the same time all the OUT
lets of Caracas were manned by nu-
merorss guards, who stopped all traffic
in and out of the city. The poor Deo-
pie who had come in from the suburbs
to bring their wares 10 market We're
compelled TO remain in the city until
Sunday. The occupants of public cabs
and all street-car passengers had 10
identify themselves TO the policemen.
who boarded all such vehicles. All
night long mounted patrols Gathered
through the streets Of Caracas, and
detachment Of troops camped in front
Of the military barracks. When cleo
tion-day came everything was in read
mess for sweeping victory, and oil
course, the election passed off quiet
ly' and everything went President
Castro's way.
1t is not surprising that in "repu3-
lies. where elections are carried III
this ,high-handed fashion revolutions
should be continually occurring. Every
election, no matter where held, is in
Sne sense a revolution. 1t is the GUS
tom Of all republics to yacate the Of
ices of government at stated intervals
and let the people say whether or not
those in office Shall be retained, or re-
tired and new men put in their places.
Each party has its own policy OF gov
eminent and its own candidates ana
frequently there is a fierce contest for
supremacy. But it is agreed that all
differences will be settled at the polls
by peaceable arbitrament. At the ap-
pointed time the voters on either side
20 up and deposit their ballots, and If
the ballots are fairly received and fair
ly counted and an honest return made,
the minority will abide by the result
and then and there the revolution ends.
But when the opposition knows that
the elections are unfair and dishonest
and that the party in power continues
its power by resorting to tfickery,
when, in short, it is discovered that
ahere can be no fair arbitrament Of
differences by the ballot, then the OPP
position naturally resorts TO other and
harsher methods. Il ballots Will not
do, the people will Try What virtue
there is in bullets. Elections III South
America are a farce. and as soon as tie
opposition is strong enough, it rises up
and carries its point by force Of arms.
There is q lesson in all this TO the
people of North America, to the people
of these United States, ITO the people
Of Virginia.