Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1902-10-23

no chances 10 be taken, tuougu IeluSai u
do SO would mean evasion, distrust, anC
political lying to them.
He submits to the people that "strateg!
in politics" the "vermin" in pOlitiCs,-th
dishonesty III elections; the political cor
ruption are enough to bring the blush o
shame to Virginians, and that our election
laws are repugnant to all lovers of fall
play as conservation Democrats have de
clared.
he abhors the corrupt understanding
clause" that was designed, adopted ano
used to disfranchise not alone negroes, but
thousands of the best white men in Vir'
ginia despite the pledge to the contrary
He calls attention to the fact that the
said convention was called by one-tfth OF
the people of Virginia, and yet the other
four-ffths were not to be consulted as to
the adoption of the said Constitution
This would seem to be political oigarchy
1t would seem like there was an effort tc
get away from the popular will.
The Constitutions of 1880 lS5l-1S7O
were submitted That of 1902 proclaimed.
He believes and advocates a govern
ment of, by, and for the people" wherein
the voter is master, and not that idea
which Democracy has that the voter has
no rights a Democratic politician is re-
quired to respect.
He is opposed to the action of the
Boards of Registration in many sections OF
the District holding their meetings in
secret; closing the doors; refusing to
divulge whether a voter had been
registered or rejected; and declining to
allow anyone, not a Democrat, to be pre-
sent when the vile" understanding clause
was to be considered and applied to a
voter. No fair man will approve such
conduct. 1t violates every principle of
fair dealing. 1t is the meanest parti-
zanism. lis motive is clear and indefensi-
BILE.
He agrees with Senator Daniel,-with
the Democratic Norfolk Convention, with
the Democratic Legislature that enacted
the call for the Convention, with Governor
Montague who said "that the very genius
of free government requires submission;"
and yet the Democratic party refused to
trust the people.
He condemns the Democratic conspiracy:
That deceived the people into calling a
constitutional convention upon false
pledges.
That carried the election for delegates
thereto by fraud, admitted so in many
places.
That refused to take an oath to dis
charge their duties faithfully as the people
had a right to expect of their representa-
tives.
That conducted the proceedings thereof
in secret, devising ways and means to
thwart the will of the people.
That constructed a system Of registra-
ton practically partizan in construction,
and IN administration.
That arranged that no oath should be
taken by Registrars.
That made it possible for Registrars to
hold their meetings in secret, allow no
witnesses, and declined to disclose whether
a voter had been registered or rejected.
That made proclamation, and not sub
mission, possible.
That made Democracy decline to trust
either the entire body of voters or an
abridged electorate, on the question OF
submission.
Finally, there is absolute antagonism
between Col. Slemp and Rhea, and it is
fair to say the latter's record, principles,
and party alignment justify the charge
that Judge l.h..- Z .,.,,~l.:- >opposlte
to all advocated, opposed, defended. sup
ported, demanded, condemned, by Col.
Slemp.
A vote for Col. Slemp means to continue
the present prosperous times, and to con-
denim Judge Rhea's party in forcing on an
unwilling people the new Constitution,
and the methods resorted to in disfranchls-
ing hundreds of white men, in violation
of the most solemn pledge (which honor
able men are capable of making.
A vote for Judge Rhea means to jeopar-
die the splendid prosperity Of the coun'
try; and to endorse the methods by which
he was returned to Congress in 1898 and
1900, which were denounced by the Con-
gressional Committee in unmeasured
terms; and thereby to approve the scheme
of the tyrants who forced Constitution
on you, despite your protest.
Very Respectfully,
STUART F. LINDSEY,
DISTRICT CHAIRMAN.