Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-10-18
FOR CONGRESS 18th DISTRICT:
nov. JOHN r.. A.ARRES.


NOV. JOHN r.. HARRIS.
Whatever else we may differ on in Vir-
GINA, it is agreed on all hands that this is
the time for showing Of hands. None but
an unworthy man is ashamed of bis opinions,
if they are his opinions, uninfuenced by fear
Or hope Of reward. No man can plead this
this week that he doesn't understand the
political situation. 1t is the heel-tap Of the
-taaa,%nnaign as far as argument is concerned.
Inc glass has been drained to the very lees
in the way Of presenting all the facts on
both sides, and with men who can read and
write, no lack Of information can be plead
ed as cause for non.action now. Every
white man in this State understands that in
the performance of his duty as citizen, be
must 60 to the polls and vote with his white
fellow-citizsns for Greeley and Brown, or
with the negroes for Grant and Wilson. 1t
is by no means to be demanded that he must
not vote for Grant. If it is his conviction
of right to do so, there lies his duty. But
when he does it he must accept the situation,
and accept it fully. AS before the war,
when Wing changed to the Democracy,
he cut loose from his old political associa
tons, 30 now when Conservative changes
his politics he must consent to an entire
change of his political associations. He must
hereafter mingle with the colored political
meetings and councils and not with the
white ones. In this State this is inevitable,
inasmuch as for 20 years to come there will
be no white Republican party in her limits,
and it is folly for anyone to deceive himself
into the belief that there will be. 1t is not
in the philosophy Of politics that there should
be, nor in the healthy current of events
Nothing but an earthquake is likely to make
it otherwise. 1t is very idle and certain
ly pitiful business to charge corrupt mo-
tives on men who change their political
views at this time. They might with even
better reason charge corrupt motives on
those who remain with the strong and popu-
lar Conservative party, while they 60 over
to a weak and condemned one. Those who
leave the Conservative party in this election,
take step that costs them even more than
they can understand now. It costs them
the1political regard Of their fellow.citizens-
that genial, kindly feeling that pervades the
hearts of men towards their comrades, band
ed together against oppression, and discrimi-
nation. There is no getting away from this
disapprob alton. In The North where
there is hardly scintilla Of cause for such
a distinction, and where the matter is rather
question of politics than one of self-preser-
walton, as it is the South where the negro
is standing menace, Senator Sumner and
Gov. Curtin and Speaker Banks have re.
ceived such marks Of disapproval from their
Grant neighbors. This is unjust and to be
regretted but it is now, and for long time
to come will be irremediable. The coming
election, however we may talk about it, is
not SO much national as it is local ques-
ton with us at the South. Our State gov.
eminent depends in great measure on the
Presidential election. If by any disastrous
chance the State of Virginia should 60 for
Grant, the State government would at the
next election probably 60 into Radical, or,
what is the real name, negro hands. In the
North when Democrat votes the Kepubli.
can ticket he still votes with his fellow.citi-
zens and to be governed by his fellow-citi-
zens. In the South he votes with negroes
who when they get the power will govern,
ard not the whites. And in doing this he
must expect to be politically separated from
his fellow.citizens.
To the man who expects not to vote at
all, or to vote for Grant, which is the same
thing, some reflection be valuable. Let him
remember that he will carry no company
with him. Some six or seven men Of tai
ent and supposed influence have gone over
in the last seven years in Virginia, bnt car.
ried no one with them. They mistook their
own value. Some of them went with the
purpose to control the ignorance of the par
ty for good, but. lamentably failed. Their'po.
si!ion is not enviable and is drearily isolated
Let their example be a warning to any who
would, either by voting for Grant or refus-
ing to vote with their fellow. citizens for
Greeley, do damage. now that they will
never cease to repent-not damage to the
Conservative party which is strong and sue
cessful and holds this State in its powerful
hand in safety, but to themselyes-to them
selves. II s..e@-e
Choose ye this day whom ye will serve.
-~~>
REGISTRATION. Every Conservative 70.
ter should bear in mind that the Oath, 25th
and Goth days of October, are the DAYS for
registration in cities having 1000 inhabi-
tants or over. 1t is not only that every
man must register but he must see that his
neighbor is registered. Young men who
will be 81 before November 9Th must regis.
ter saow. Persons who have registered in
other parts Of the State and removed since,
,,ouak vek fxa nofor nm no-a e.. IL c.I