The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-10-07
a Chance for the People.

Convention for Augusta county, last Saturday,
which will not and cannot down at the. bid
ding Of the fimsy machinery Of party. 1t is
one that rises above party, and directly en-
braces in its scope and practical operation, the
pockets of thepeople-wlfich deeply affects their
material welfare, and appeals to their sense OF
right and justice.
That question is the State Debt Just be-
fore the last ballot was taken, and when the
contest was known to be close between 5.
Brown Allen and Marshall Hanger-the only
candidates for nomination then before the Con-
vention, c. s. Roller, Esq, in an animated, point
cd and courageous speech, charged Mr.. Hanger
with misrepresenting his constituents on this
question. The issue was promptly met by G.
N. Harrison, Esq, who had placed Mr.. Hang
cr's name before the Convention REORGANIZATION,
and wished to know whether the gentleman
was in favor of reputation. Mr.. Roller re-
sponded that the people Of Augusta were not
in favor of reputation, but wanted an adjust
ment Of the debt question by someother method
than that proposed by the Funding Bill. amid
great confusion and much excitement, this i'm
portland question was miscellaneoEsly and tu-
nqvrltuoasly run over and thrown aside, and
Mr. Hanger nominated, after the most earnest
appeals, pleading and begging on the part of
the city delegation.
1t is known, too, tha. Mr.. Stuart's position
on the State Debt question, contributed large
ly to his defeat for the aeaaination by the Con-
ventor; and is equally we'll known that Messrs.
Opie and Craig were nominated with their views
oft I,o ,o1i nJa ,o,,fi hat
determination.
We submit that it is due to the people Of this
county, to the State, and to the gentlemen who
exhibited so many warm friends and earnest
supporters in the Convention, that the position
of the voters OF Augusta county be declared at
the ballot box, and that fair and square issue be
presented at the polls, whether the adjustment
of the Funding Bill is regarded as final dis
position of this grave and vital matter.
It will not do to say that the gentlemen who
are opposed to the Funding Bill are repudia-
tionists. The Funding Bill is a measure of re-
pudiation ITSELF and so faras the principle is
cerned, if there is any infamy or disgrace at
tached to reputation, funders share in it, for
that act ostcnsbly announces the reputation
of one-third of the public debt, but in reality,
relieves the people of none of it. Whatever
hair-spliting metaphysical reasoning may be
adopted, in support of the Funding Bill as a
measure that curtas the public obligations
one-third of the original contract, Substantially
it does no such thing The State of Virginia
even by the Funding Bill, is bound for the one
third assigned to West Virginia, provided that
State does not assume its payment; and it is well
known that the people and the authorities of
that State have not the least idea OF ever pay
ing copper of it,
This is too serious matter to be disposed OF
by the imperfect and arbitrary action Of Con
vention composed of 120 delegates, in a coun-
IT, with near 5000 registered voters. 1t is not
proper or right that the people of this grand
old county should be held responsible for the
implied verdict rendered on last Saturday
against the Funding Bill. 1t is not right that
Mr.. Stuart should stand condemned by his
constituents, through the action of the Conven
ton for his views in regard to this grave sub
feet, when there never has been distinct issue
made in his case, or that OF any other man before
the people. 1t is not right that the Whole eoun-
ty should be held responsible for the apparent
Soh oeiDJOSO'
Upon a question involving sentiment of so
much interest to the people of the State, there
should be some forna! expression at the ballot
box, where each man could indicate his convic-
ton, and by which the wish of the county could
be made known.
This thing of making the great interests Of
the State far-reaching and vital in their effects,
subordinate to the caprices of a few men, ma
nipulating the machinery of party Conyen-
ton. is an insult to the intelligence, the man.
hood and the patriotism of the people. 1t is
simply a method adopted to muzzIe the voice
Of the voters, and prevent an expression of
opinion upon great question intimately asso-
ciated with the well-being of the community.
What issue is now before the people for them
10 pass upon, except the ratification of the ac-
ton of the Convention? Here is the public
debt question, the public free schools, the road
law, the dog law, upon which every man has an
opinion. but which are all submerged and driven
out of sight by the mere action of few men
calling themselves a Convention. The gentle
men nominatedmay, and doubtless do, entertain
divergent and antagonistic views on these va
rious subjects, in conflict, in some instances,
with the sentiment of the people they will have
to represent, if elected. How can the people
be represented when this is the case.
1t is due to the people Of this great county,
that distinct issue should be made on all these
questions, and the verdict rendered in the on
ly legal and constitutional method they have
to give expression to their sentiments-at the
ballot box.
1t is due to Mr.. Stuart that his brilliant ca
reer as an orator and statesman should not
close under cloud such as was cast over it on
last Saturday. We do not believe 1t was the
calm judgment Of the people among whom he
was born and raised, and especially do we not
believe that the last vote of the Convention, in
which dissenting result was given to reso-
luton instructing the representatives of the
county to support him for the United States
Senate, was reflection of the wishes of his
constituents.
1t ever there was time for the people to de-
mand their rights at the ballot box, and the
privilege OF giving unmistakable and unembar-
raised significance to their opinion, now is that
time. Let the friends of Mr.. Stuart announce
him as a candidate for the suffrages of his peo-
pie, ia defiance of caucus manipulation, and
there will he LITTLE room TO doubt the result on