The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-01-12
ALEX. D. COCHRAN, ESQ.

speculations in regard to the U. 5. Senator
to BIO chosen by the Legislature on the 18th
of March, proximo We give them for what
they are worth. We do not know the sour
ces whence this correspondent derives his in.
formation, nor are we acquainted with the
assumed facts that are stated. The assump-
ton that MIR. Cochran could not be reelected
is altogether gratuitous 1t is possible that
he might not be, but that could only be test
ed by a trial before the people. The asser-
ton that Mr.. Cochran "is closely connected
by marriage, if not by blood. with Senator
Lewis" is entirely unfounded. He is not con-
nectcd to that gentlemen in any way what
ever. Even if he were, 1t would be matter
of small moment, for we know of no two
men who would be less likely to agree for
mere policy SAKE than Jno. F. Lewis and
Alex. B. Cochran They are in the habit Of
thinking for themselves, and of expressing
their thoughts without hesitation-we may
say, without calculation.
We are not of those who are disposed to
condemn a man, because in the exercise OF
his Judgment he may happen to differ from
the conclusions to which our mind may ar
rive Such rule applied by us, or to us,
and carried into detail, would very soon COM
pei us to leave the editorial chair. 1t is the
naotice which should govern in forming an
opinion. of the action of any man, on either
public or private matters, and it will be dark
day for the independence of the press, and
for the action of public servants, when every
view expressed upon questions of public con-
cern, is made to harmonic with that tickle,
inconstant, intangible thing called public
opinion. We respect man far more who
differs with US conscientiously, and candidly
expresses that difference, than were he to
agree with US for mere poicys sake. We
like frank man, however antipathetic his
conclusions may be to our own. We always
know where to find him. Ana we believe the
rejecting portion Of community cordially
coincide with and endorse this rule of action.
If measured by our own guage of what is
proper, Mr.. Cochran may have committed
errors in his Legislative course. He, how
ever, we are sure, has reasons satisfactory to
his own mind, for any positionj he may have
taken, and will not withhold them when it is
necessary to express them. But what man
, in public position has not committed errors
We would not give broken button tor any
man, who, if he honestly entertained ar
opinion upon any public question, was TOT
cowardly and craven hearted to express it
let it be popular or otherwise. We entertain
superative contempt for all time-server
and weather cocks. They arc not only no
: fitted for public trusts, but are scarcely tol
> cradle in social existence. If perao'
= "wears the livery of man" let him in tn
s'world's broad field eff battle"-s'in tho bi
vouac of life, be "hcro in the strife ant
maintain the diguity and superiority of hi
= species over that of the brute that wears hi
. collar, with the inscription, II am my mas
IS ter's dog"
g We do ret propose to become the cham
II pion Of Mr. Cochran He is able to cham
y pion his own cause. Indeed, we should nc
= have written this article, had it not been 70
y the insidious insinuations running throug
n the extract from the correspondent of tn
W Courier, that Mr.. G. was unduly intimat
with the Radical party. IF Mr.. Cochra
St has influence with members of the Legisls
II ture, it is not because he has abandoned any {
o his convictions as true Virginian-wedde
n, as he is to Virginia's honor and her interests
IL whatever may betidc her, but it is for tn
al reason that they choose to follow him an
4 his judgment on questions not involving pc
1t litical sympathy or conclusions. 1t is yer
at apparent that Mr. Cochran yields power j
ID the Legislature that no other member ca
le command that no combination can breal
r He is, therefore, deemed fit target for th
&c covert insinuations of penny "a liners VII
ly would, if they could, weaken that influence
1t has been the fortune of every public ma
Id who has taken high, bold, independent groun
as on questions Of public concern-who hs
OF scornfully divorced himself from the beate
oil paths Of fossilized time-seryers and poll-pa
ut rot harlequins, to have his motives question
OF ed and his actions suspicioned. But where
man is conscientious in his conclusions, mar
s, ly and fearless in his utterances, he has notF
IS ing to fear from the verdict of refectin:
Of fair minded men, whether they fully agre
lie with him or not Even should that verde
1r be adverse to his expectations, still thel
u would remain latent sentiment of admir-;
is ton in the mind of every honest man.
to ''To thine own self be true,
r. And then it will follow as the night the day,
bt Thou canst not be false to any man.
n Vice President Cofax has written lette
OF warmly espousng the claimes of Gen. Ora,
i'll for the Republican nomination for Presidel
- in 1872. His nomination would be accept;
l. bic to the Democratic party, inasmuch as
would bring directly before the people of II
lis country the nuestion Whether mr. MT thev il