Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-09-23
The Political Campaign in Virginia Shall
Conservatism or Radicalism Rule?

The Political Campaign in Virginia -Shal
Conservatism or Radicalism Rule?
Editor Spectator.
[ have read with much inter
est the proceedings of the recent Conservativ,
| Convention, published in full In the Spectator
The ticket headed by Gen. Jas. l.. Kemper
for Governor, is composed of your very bes
men, and one, doubtless, that will be elected
by an old-fashioned majority, such an one a
the white voters cast consecutively for half ;
century and more for the Democratic nominees
commencing with Mr. Jefferson promugatior
that the American people were capable of self
government Virginia, the true mother Of
Democratic States, will not now falter. The
good work continued in this memorable Con-
vent, n, in this era of progress, when the cou-
tlict for the second time is to be determined by
ballot, whether white mans government is to
be perpetuated or Negro Rule substituted, will
end glorlously in permanently establishing the
former, and be the death-knell of the latter be-
yond all hope of resuscitatiou.
] The question, then, to be decided on No
vember 4th, is, whether Conservatism or Rad
icalism shall triumph. Three years ago, the
same question was plainly and earnestly put
and decided in the affirmative, in favor of
Gov. Walker. the exponent of the same princ-
pies, espoused by his worthy successor, Gen
| kemper. Since that election, negro rule in all
| its hideous, alarming phases has been inaugu-
| rated and sadly tested in most of the Southern
States. most prominently in South Carolina
and Alabama. Think of it. over one hundred
so-calied members of the Legislature of the for
mer once chvalrous State, negroes, noted for
their vice and ignorance, are their lawmakers,
and negroes now control and govern her white
population, who, under oppressive Radical
rule, must tamey submit to this degradation
and painful situation; otherwise, if resisted
Federal troops are at hand to guard the polls.
to give these Africs sons full control of the
balot-box, once the boasted, sacred palladium
OF American Liberty, now mere mockery and
by-word
The appalling newsi is heralded. far and wide
that Alabama Is passing the terrible ordeal Of
a bankrupt treasury-credit wholly gone, labor
hopelessly demoralized burdensome taxes crush
the people, public schools neglected for want of
means to sustain them, while corruption and
plunder are the ord er of the day, the bitter
fruits of Radical rule. A great Commonwealth
once influential, rich and prosperous, has been
wrecked and native apostates have joined hands
with mercenary adventurers from the North,
and degraded negroes at home, in prostrating
the fortunes and hopes of the people, and can
not extricate themselves from the perilous sit
uation, while Federal bayonets are used to
force submission
These are lessons to pender well. Let down
trodden Louisiana be also heard, aud still the
half has not been told. And, shall Virginians
recklessy retrogade now, that restored prosper
ity, wealth and happiness are their lot under
the benign influence of Gov. Walkers excellent,
peaceful. Conservative administration and yield
themselves up, the willing or passive victims
of negro rule under the lead of the apostate
Hughes Why change now? What is to be
gained? Rather, In imagination, calculate the
irreparable losses. which most assuredly would
be painfully verified in case of a change of ad
ministration, which God grant the people OIL
the ''Old Dominion" will pause and solemnlyI
consider, ere they cast their votes to their ir
retrievable ruin.
The last three years under Gov. Walker
Heaveu-ordained and Heaven-blessed admins
tratlon, Virginia has, In measure, recovered
from her adverse condition. lt is needless to
recapltulate items to contrast the present hap
py situation with the past destructive losses
when few sections were spared the whitening
tread of an invading foe. But, what change
The recuperating energies of a people, I'M
daunted by war and its consequent reVerses,
have made the waste places gladden. to Invite
possess the goodly land.
Would you. Virgiuians, effectualy impede |
emigration and immigration so largely flowing |
to all sections of your dear State? Then in
troduce Radical rule under the leadership OF
Hughes and the fell work is accomplished. =
Our Northern people. especially Pennsylvani-
ans, except Radical politicians, who would hope |
to reap some reward of office by change |
would not venture to take up residence 10
Virginia, with certain prospect of rlskiDg
like NAL administration Of affairs, that so un-
happily characterizes the oppressed States, now
wholly under negro domination and their allies
If there was necessity to preserve the white
population three years ago from negro rule
and, in view of the wise aud timely choice so
apparent to every candid, unprejudiced mind
is not the necessity demanded at the coming
election? In the choice to be made then, who
but the most reckless, thoughtless or indiffer-
ent would vote for change, since none is ab-
solutely required? Would it not be wisdom
and sound policy to let well enough alone, rath-
er to retain and perpetuate the party 10 power
with all its measures calculated to promote the
well-being of the people?
Gen. JAS. L. Kemper is the acknowledged
champion Of Jeffersonian Conservatism. No
eulogium is needed to recommend him to the
suffrages Of bis fellow-citizens. He is speak
ing for himself, aud the people greet him every
where as the saviour of their prescious rights
and liberties, uncontaminated with any ANAL
gam that may be proposed to unite the Races
equality. He takes noble, holy ground,
that superior lineage and culture entitle the
dominant race to be at the helm, as they have
been in Virginia since the foundation OF Gov
ernment. Politically,.he can be trusted for his
answering consistency, not waverlng or change
full, not for the sake of office to renouDce bis
party afiliation and treacherously become the
exponent of political dogmas at variance with
the best interests of the people, as his unwor
thy competitor has signally done. Oh, no, his
record is one of unyielding devotion to his
native State. and he never has aud never will
be shaken 10 political integrity to secure an
Office of which he alone is worthy who is true
to principle.
How stands the account with his opponent ?
He should be ashamed to appear before Viz
ginia audience, hailng, as he does, from
s'the home Of Randolph, the land of Floyds,
Prestons and JohnsoDs,' charged as he is with
acts of political inconsistency and blush to face
those he has grossly wroDged and insulted as
the candidate of negro constituency. A rag
ing secessionist, he would make mo comprom
ise but at the cauon's mouth; now degraded
ly identified with and leader of a mongrel party
(opposed to Dsunion) which he once detested
and denounced Then the editor Of Radical
sheet. Now petty Office is given him as a
reward for his perfdy, a panacea that cured bis
political ills. Its soothing influence quieted bis
roaring to disintegrate the American Union and
lamb-ike he submitted. Like the heroic Gen.
Jas. Longstreet, the war over, he early pro-
claimed his upfalteriDg devotion to the old
Union Andy johnson, pext to Gen. Grant
and like Longstreet. was rewarded with Gov
arnmant office fnr his manly adherence to the