Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1928-04-21
LANDING PLACE FOR DEMO.
Gratis


We have received under date of
ApriI II, 1928, circular letter ad-
dressed "To the Citizens of Vir-
ginia," signed by r. H. Angel,
Chairman of the Virginia Republican
State Committee, who resides at
Roanoke, Va. Among other things
he says:
That there is an earnest wish on
the mart of the citizens of Virginia
for a strong minority Party IS cyl
denced by editorials by the leading
papers of this State that commented
recently on the writer's election as
Party Chairman.
These editors, who have spoken
friendly, are sincere in their ex-
pressions and are thereby voiclng
the sentiments of thousands of Vlr-
ginia people who entertain and ex-
press the same view.
1t is not characterization, or dis
LOYALTY, to their own party i'll inviting
a strong minority party-but, it IS
what they believe to be to the best
interest of Virginia, and an objective
worthy Of the support of every man
who loves his State. And, | want to
take occasion to pause right here and
say that | sincerely love the Party
Of my choice made nearly forty
years ago, and l want to see it pros
per and grow as fast and as much as
any member of the Party in this, or
any other, State, but we cannot hope
to reach a goal of this kind except
through merit and devotion to the
best interest of our State.
If we show, as we should, sim
cere desire to help through strong
minority Party or otherwise, to solve
problems both State and local, in the
interest of the people, we cannot
help but receive the plaudits Of a
people conscious of duty well and
faithfully performed.
[ believe it is a duty OF every
citizen to line up with the party of
his choice and be factor in helping
to share public sentiment in favor
Of policies and measures that will
be in keeping with the best interests
of The State and the Nation tA2s we
all love.
heartily welcome any and every
citizen of this State who has al in
tense desire to serve his State faith
fully, and whose views are not in
consistent with the Party Of my
choice, to join hands in cause that
is worthy OF your support.
This appeal to the electorate OF
the State IS a masterpiece Of @"'t;cal
strategy and indicates the laying o.
the ground work for the placing of
TIE electoral vote of this Stnta in
tie Republican column, whc" the
e'escSion takes place next November.
We nave seen fit to designate 1t as
the landing place for Democrats We
mean. OF course, disgruntled H=mo-
Gratis, who have tired of the old
leadership and who even now accept
it as a foregone conclusion, that
Governor Alfred E. Smith, of New
York, u man of magnetic influence
and vote-getting power will be
named by the National Democratic
Convention at Houston, this summer.
The situation is so serious to them
that. they are convinced that the
mere remaining away from the polls
will not consummate the desire OF
their hearts. 1t is generally believed
that if a candidate favorable to the
interests of the Southland is named
at the National Republican Conven-
ton at Kansas City in June, it will
be; a simple matter to have these
disguised Democrats go to the polls
and cast a ballot that will count for
his electors.
The. only means of forestalling
this movement would be the nomina-
ton for President of either Senator
Carter Glass or Governor Harry
Flood Byrd.
Chairman Angel with the profuse
and enthusiastic approval of Hon. {.
Bascom Slemp has sensed this situa-
ton, urged on no doubt by Col
Henry w. Anderson and this dipio-
matte appeal to "any and every
citizen" of Virginia is the result.
C@n this movement be circumvented
or nuliifed? This is the problem
for the AL Smith managers in this
State. They are facing an upheaVal
backed. by the prohibition elements
end the army of militant Protestants,
who while they are not openly urg-
ing it are nevertheless determined
that a political leader of the New
Work. governors type and belief shall
not sit in the White House of the
Nation.
We take it then that this circular
letter is neither more nor less than
the, plain advertisement as to the
whereabouts of a landing place for
disgruntled Democrats. Either Hon.
Frank o. Lowden or Hon. Herbert
Hoover can poll this large dis
gruntled Democratic vote. The lat
ter will have more pulling power"
in this respect than the former, but