The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-08-21
SECTIONAL INTOLERANCE.

illusions to Col. Hughes, because he has
frankly accepted the situation, and is earnest
ly seeking to carry out the laws Of the land,
in conformity to his sworn obligation as a
citizen OF Virginia, but he had the indelicacy
to speak Of Hon. G. P Ramsdall. the candi-
date of the Republican party for H. Cover
no-nor, in the following terms, as we fnd
them stated in the Wytheville Enterprise:
GA carpet-bagger from Pennsylvania, a
stranger aspiring to rule over Virginiaas-
and who desires to be elevated to the second
Office in the State By the votes of Ignorant
negroes and against the protest of the lntelll-
gent white citizens of the Commonwealth"
1t is in this spirit intelligent immigration
is to be regarded by the recognized represen-
tative of the conservative party of Virginia.
Mr.. Ramsdall came to Virginia some SIX
years ago, with large means. He purchased
tract of l 900 acres ofland, erected school
house and church for the accommodation OF
the neighborhood, introduced improved ma
chinery, and has identified himself with the
State in all her material interests. Rccognz-
ing his intelligence, his practical common
sense, and his usefulness, the people of Surry
county solicited him to become a candidate
Tor the Legislature. He complied with their
request, and was elected, and has served sew
eral terms in that body His colleagues, even
of the conservative party, speak Of him in the
highest terms, as wise legislator, an un-
exceptionable christian gentleman, and pub
| lie man of broad and liberal views. But he
is republican and therefore a "carpet-bag
ger" A man who has been successful far
mer-whose business is farming-who is le-
ultimately and largely engaged in that bust
ness-yet because he did not worship at the
feet of Horace Greeley, as Withers did, and
for the reason that he has accepted the nom
ination Of the Republican party for the posi-
ton Of 1t. Governor, he is to be stigmatized
as 'scarpet-bageer.
Now we ask the common sense people of
the Valley and the entire State, if this Is the
way to build up Virginia? Is it the policy
ofour people to drive away such elements of
wealth and strength from our borders? Is it
to their interest to keep others from comn g
here, of like character? This certainly will
be the result Of the election of such men as
Kemper, Withers, and Daniel. The senti-
meDt they represent as manifested in Col.
Withers' speech, if. allowed to dominate in
Virginia, will as surely paralyze all the great
interests of the State, as effect follows cause.
| There is no other solu ton of it. And what
compromising advantage is to be derived !
None under the heavens. 1t will place some
thread. bare politicians in Office, and give them
support, at the expense CT the people, whose
interest their election will ipjure, for four
years. It will throw the State back at least
ten years, for the reaction from the shock
will not commence Immediately after their
retiracy. Are the people prepared for this ?
We think not
What peculiar virtue Is there in being born
southtef THE Potomac river, aud what great
crime is attached to first seeing the light Of
day in the state Of New York -? Can the peo-
pie tell? We cannot. We must look at
deeds and intentions. If respectable gentle
men, who have been honored in their native
State--wno have succeeded in the legitima tie
calling of their liyes-have accumula
means by honest industry and good manage
ment, choose to make Virginia their homes,
is it to the interest Of our people 30 driy e
them away by hard names and social ostracism?
These are matters involved in the result Of
the coming election. They are questions that
appeal directly or Indirectly to the interests
of every one of our citizens. Are they pre-
pared to sanction such vindictive selfshness
such petty secticnalism, such false and f.
tai pride Let their common sense seriously
weigh these matters, aud see what is to be
tie result, if men holding the views Of Col.
Withers and Gen. Kemper are elected by the
votes of the people. It will prove that the
people think as they do, ard what gentleman
not born in Virginia, and may happen to be-
lieve that the Republican party is the nearer
right Of the two political organizations Of the
country, would tolerate for moment the
tho't of bringing his family and investing his
means among US 1t is unreasonable to sup
pose that he would. He certainly would not
Must this policy Of ezclusiveness be adopted
to the injury of the State, merely to give po-
sition and pay to few extreme politicians ?
Are the masses Of the people ready for this !?
Kemper and Withers and Daniel are mere a.
toms in the social and political fabrics. 1t is
true, they we're ardent supporters of that arch
agitator and fomentor Of strife. Horace Gree
ley. Each one of them is Virginia gentle
man, with whom we have no fault to find as
private citizen. But must the great inter
ests of the State be paralyzed to place them
10 Office It is the sentiment their election
will proclaim that mast prove harmful, and
it is for the people to determine whether they
will eRdorsc the sentiment of exclusiveness,
of prescription and sectional intolerance In