Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1905-09-29

good men TO be found therein are
not sufficient to save the party from
destruction. The Republican can
dldates IN this campaign may have
the voices of Jacob and the hand of
Esan, but they will not deceive the
voters of Virginia, because they are
known to be the same political par
tisans who brought upon this State
so much misgoSernment and so many
disgraces and wrongs.
1.-THE only improvement that has
accrued to the Republican party in
Virginia is the elimination of the
negro as a voter by the new Consti-
tuition. This has to some extent
purged and purified Virginia Repub.
licans. 1t is very remarkable that
these Republicans, who now most
loudly proclaim their improvement
from this cause, were those who most
vehrmently protested against the ad-
minlstratiOn of the medicine that
brought their bettermert.
"lf the Republican party in Vir-
ginia has heen improved by the elimi-
nation IF the negro. the credit is due
TO the Democratic party, which ac-
complished this result against the
wishes and votes of the Republicans.
Great, indeed, must be the reforming
power and the splendid patriotism
and generosity of party which
would take its old antagonist, the
Republican party, and save it against
its wishes from bad company and
degrading associates-give it a new
chance for reform and elevation. L
cannot believe that our Republican
patients have made much progress
or given much evidence of repentance
10 this matter considering how they
abuse and revile their physician and
benefactor. Those Republicans who
are gratitied at this improved oppor-
tunity of their own party should vote
the Democratic ticket in order to ex-
press their approval and gratitude.
"The elimination of the negro as
voter has been blessing to him and
a benefit to the entire politics of this
State.
"The return of the Republican
party to power again in this State
would be followed unquestionably by
a repeal of those constitutional and
other provisions which have DESTROYED
the negro as voter in Virginia, and
would witness his return as danger
Gus factor in our politics. Those
who have the material aud political
interest of this State at heart cannot
afford to take such risks by the re-
turn of the Republican party to
power"
IN OTHER STATES.
Mr.. Swanson said that it would be
amazing were it not pitiable to wit
ness the strenuous efforts of Virginia
and southern Republicans to gather
around themselves the mantle of
national Republicanism in order to
acquire the appearance of gentility.
He said that southern Republicanism
was profuse in its admiration and
laudation of northern Republicanism,
but that he had failed to discover
where these feelings and sentimen is
were ever reciprocated. Said he:
"The Republican party has been in
control of the Federal government
for the last nine years, yet during
this time it has not appointed as
Cabinet minister or given an impor-
tant or responsible position to a single
Republican from the Potomac to the
Rio Grande. The northern Repub-
licans do not wish to have the advice
or counsel of their southern associ-
ates, nor do they deem them worthy
to be entrusted with power or respon.
sibiIity.
Many of the local Offices of i'm
portance South have been awarded
TO Democrats, so poor is the opinion
OF the Federal authorities of the
efficiency and capacity of their
Southern associates. How can South
ern Republicans ever expect the peo-
pie of the South to entrust to them
the State governments, which are so
intimately associated with Southern
social, political and business welfare
when their Northern associates, who
are intimately acquainted with their
public AIMS and political purposes,
are unwilling to give them important
positions of power and RESPONSE
bility."
Mr.. Swanson then proceeded to
show that for the last thirty years
there had not been a Republican ad-
mInlstration in single Southern
State which had not been reekiug
with corruption, filled with disgraces
and soon repudiated by the people
with disgust.
lie exclaimed, at is not necessary
to go to reconstruction times to prove
that the Republican party in the ad-
mlnistration of State affairs South
brings blight aud disaster.
"The deplorable political condl-
tlons In Delaware" said he, furnish
positive proof that Republican domi-
nation South produces fraud, corrup.
ton, disgrace. Maryland in recent
years listened to the siren voice of
hepnblicanism and wandered from
the Democratic fold. For four years
she suffered the sorrows and trials of
Republlcanism; then, becoming dis
satisfied, she dashed away the bitter
cup that Republican:sm was pressing
TO her lips. never again to drink Of
its polluted water.
I'm recent years the Republican
party obtained control of the State
government of Kentucky, and had
administration of its affairs. 1t was
thought that Republicanism in that
Stateavould be success. The negro
vote there is small. The Republican
party there is the most intelligent
ana capable of any Southern State.
III