Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1904-03-17
THURSDAY, MARCH II, 1904.
SELFISH AND IRRATIONAL.

Some of our Democratic contemporaries
in Virginia have been showing much in
terest in the effort of Republicans to re-
organize our party in the State and give 1t
a higher aim than feasting at the pie
counter. The sympathy and encourage
ment" which the Democratic newspapers
are expressing for the movement would be
more worthy and more highly appreciated
if they were a little less selfish and little
more rational in the reasons that are as
signed for such sympathy. The Richmond
News Leader writing on the subject says:
1T is not hat our State Democratic
contemporaries have any affection for Re-
publican doctrine, but it is becaIls" Of
their love of Democracy snd their desire
to see it purified and its rule perpet-
uated.'
The News Leader then declares that IN
der the new conditions that have come by
the new Constitution the press of the State
has been emancpated SO far as poll les are
concerned. Speaking of the loyal support
heretofore given the Virginia Democracy
In the face of its violent and frau 'uent
methods, our contemporary says;
at our papers dbl not endorse openly
all the party methods as rule, they con-
doned them by s'lence and excuses; and it
would be hypocrisy to say that any of
them did not in the circumstances con-
slider that policy justi6 able There
were virtually no appeals, save to passion
and prejudice"
Our contemporary then quotes from GER
tain of its Democratic contemporaries, the
Norfolk Landmark, the Lynchburg News,
the Petersburg Index-Appeal aud ott ers,
to show how the Democratic press i'll this
State has been emancpAted. The Lynch
burg News is quoted as saving:
"NoN thai the black voter has been dis
franchssd in Virgioie and the white peO-
pie can no longer be made afraid or de-
ceived by f.lse issnes, politicians who scof
AZ conscience in public concerns and who
think me Democratic party is better
served by covering up or condon'ng ras-
cality than by exposing and Furnishing it,
will find that they cannot any longer IS
cape the indignant Resentment Of people
who believe in being at least ordinarily
honest
Tie Petersburg Index-Appeal il then
quoted from as follows;
''Tha people of Virginia are now free
from the fear 'of ignorant negro rule, and
are in a state of mind to JUICE the two
parties an their merits. In that condition
of affairs when the people are free TO re-
ward or-puuish political deserts, no polit-
lea party HiIlevsr 20 far asiray irom the
best inte,ests of the State"
All the reputable Democratic journals Of
the State are full and frank in confessions
a. to,tfe corruption of the Virginia DEM
ocracy prior to what they are pleased to
call new conditions" To secure the
publication Of their party they all express
a desire to see what the News Leader
terms reputable and aggressive minor
ity" party formed in the State. But be-
yond this we cannot recall an instance in
which either of them has expressed will
ingness to have, even if necessary, the cor
rupt Democratic machine destroyed by a
reputable aud aggressive Republican ma
jorty. 1t is pity that our Democratic
contemporaries should so limit and qualify
their expressed desires for pure politics.
We fear they haven't cleaned themselves
of the tar of fraud with which the Demo.
cratic LDdCulue pldclcICu IhOAh'
Accepting the qualified confessions of
the Democratic leaders and journals it is
plain their party in Virginia has been fear
fully corrupt. It was pretended that a
new constitution making new electorate
was necessary to relieve the State from
fraudulent elections. These have been
furnished. Perhaps our Democratic con-
temporaries are sanguine enough to be-
Iieve that by using the new suffrage and
present election laws the Democratic party
will regenerate or purify itself, with only a
reputable minority party to frighten it into
becoming virtuous. Honesty and virtue
that are created by fear are of poor quail
-ity and would live only so long as necessity
required.
The News Leader will pardon us if we
express deep conviction that the Demo-
cratic party in this Commonwealth will
never become pure under its present lead
ership. Il needs rev blood and honest
leadership hundred fold more than does
the Republican State organization. The
record Of the Virginia Democracy for the
past two years shows beyond question that
there is no tue desire or disposition on
the part Of the leadership or organization
to make the party clean and honest.
Why, the constitutional convention,
which was composed of Democrats pro-
nounced the best men in Virginia, was