Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-10-25
DEPRECATES DEMO
G Il A T &c CA n d.
DATES RATTLING OF
RACIAL SKELETON"
AS AN INSULT TO
A l. l. Y | r G. | y A
VOTERS.
Ny Fellow Citlzena:

My Fellow Citizens:
The state campaign In virginia has
now developed To Il point whore it's
character and scope have become.
manifest \ brief review thereof
may contribute TO clear under
standing OF the issues.
Position Of the Parties.
In my address before tho Nortolll
convention and my opening speech at
Lexington undertook to present In
simple terms the essential problems
now before tho people Of Virginia af-
fccttnS the management OF their
State government. The remedies for
existing evils in that mauaccmcut.
with 4 constructive program FOR tho
reform Of our government TO adapt
IL to modern conditions ana prcscn,
needs, are gully set forth in the Nor
folk platform ana explained In those
TWO addresses.
The Democratic party has no plat
form. As n political organization it
has no program, proposes no change
in existing conditions. binds itsolf 10
nothing. II stands upon its record.
which is OF the past. Ev that fact il
declares its approval Of cNistins, CON
ditions in Virginia. and dcmau'S that
these conditions be maintai e. If
that party is continued in pu,v.r il
will not be bound by any promises Of
any person. however good and sincere
his intentions. for Il political party
can only be bound by a platform or
program adopted by the chosen rep
rcscntativCs Of those who compose IL.
Without a platform n candidate for
Governor cannot bind members OF the
Legislature or other departments to
=.
form binds all the representatives OF
that party in every department. OF
government and pledges them to it's
performance. The Republican party
has definite and constructive plat
form binding upon all. The Demo
cratic party has no platform. no pro-
gram. and however sincere may he
the views Of any candidate. they inn
pose no obligation upon any one but
himself. The Significance Of this fact
should never be lost sight rim this
campaign.
Democrats Avoid tho issues.
Some weeks since | was advised
and the developments OF tho cam
raiCn have tended 10 confirm this adj
vice-;hat the Democratic managers
had determined TO try to divert at
tcntion from the weakness OF their
position on state issues. and the evils
of our present system of government.
by
% The discussion of National is
sues:
t2) The agitation o. the race CUES
ton. with its appeal to prcjudicc. and
CD Ey a series Of concerted per
sonal attacks upon the Republican
candidates.
They will! have TO travel this road
alone. We will not join with them.
National issues are in no way in
volv"d in this campaign. and cannot
to affected by the results in Novem-
bcr. They were settled last year in
the election of a President and Con
Ercss. They will come UP for review
next year in the election OF Repre-
sentativcs and Senators. This year
We are concerned with tho manage
mcnt OF Virginia. which involves only
State issues. and we shall confine our
discussion TO the questions before us.
SO as 10 the race question. by def
mite and constructive declaration. in
accord with the Constitution OF the
United States. tho Norfolk convention
removed that question from tho arena
of political debate in Virginia and
left these delicate human problems TO
be adjusted through the application
OF principles of morality, with justice
TO both races; ard'in accord with the
obvious interests and settled tradi-
lions of our civilization. This action
was welcomed by the right thinking
people OF both races, and all parties.
AS opening the way for closer un-
Outstanding and constructive prog
ress in the social and political life OF
Virginia. Continued agitation OF this
question is unjust to both races and
is a danger TO the state. The obvious
purpose Of the cffcr; now bcitr made
-.
question hack into politics is To stir
the prejudice OF the people and divert
their minds from present issues. TO
suggest that the great body Of Viz
GINA people who constitute IN" pres
cnt Republican party ia Virginia. or
those who represent that orraniza-
tiCn. would permit any disturbance
OF the social or political peace and
welfare Of this Common wealth would
bc offensive If II were not so absurd.
and is "a reflection upon the intclli-
Ecnce OF those 10 whom ii is ad-
dressed
We are also determined not to
lower this campaign from a discus
sion OF issues 10 one OF personalities
or attacfs OF personal character.
We believe that thn issues are greater
than persons: that they involve the
freedom and prosperity OF this state.
IN. people OF VirE mia want ihese
Issues discussed to the end that they
may form their own Judgments II
any evidence were needed TO demon
strarc the fact that change in the
political contro! Of Virginia is rcccs
sary, the character ~ the campaign
Of organized Islander and personal
abuse being conducted by the Demo
cratic organization should hc sum
Gent. such methods ~, obviously
Intended 10 divert attention from
!hcse ssucs: are out az keeping win
;hc dignity AZ the subject. am ofTcrsc
10 tin refined scnSibiItjo- OF ihc Vir-
Einia people; and au Insult TO their
intelliScuCe We rcfus, 30 Doc, drawn
into such mud Singing contests
which mort and mus; r,c.ivo ,ho
contempt or AL right thinking and
patriotic people. regard SIS OF marty
The people Of Virginia are decent
and like dccency.
Dir. Trinkir's "I<c!notc" speech.
turn from their barren campa ~
as whole 10 a consideration az ,h,
Keynote speech o.: Mr. Truk'. ID.
livercd at Clintwopd on ~cg',ub,
81. which is the only serious cmugt ~
the part Of the Democratic spcairi!
TO discuss the issues Of tho campa en-
In discharging the duiy OF aus,yeriu,