The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-10-07
Hon. A. II. H. Stuart.

We were not surprised at the result of the
nominating Convention last Saturday. The
stubborn folly of few men who were Invested
with a little brief authority, in persisting in
calling Convention, when it was the known
wish Of the people of the county that no con-
vention should be held, but that the voters
should have a fair opportunity of exI ressng
their choice at the polls, has produced its fruits
The people determined that they would no
longer be lead by the nose, and compelled to
do the bidding of the ring masters. Nor were
they disposed to allow the caucus maniprlators
to take possession of the party organization:
make their own nominations, and then de-
nounce every man who did not choose to sup
port them as radical and disorganizer.
Hence, they took possession of the Convention,
in electing their own delegates at the primG.ry
meetings on the 18th, and ruled it in the selec-
ton of the Senator and two of the representa-
tives as their candidates at the Novem Der
election.
While it is gratifying TO reflect that the intelli-
gence and manhood of the people have been
fully vindicated in the rcbuke that has been,
given to the little coterie of curb stone poi5i-
clans, who assumed to absorb the individuality
of the masses. it is no cause of congratulation
to us that Hon. A. II. II. Stuart was left out of
the delegation nominated for the Legislature.
1t is true, we have never had any personal par
TALLY for Mr.. Stuart, and it is rarely that we
find in any of his publicly announced views,
much to approve, yet, when we consider his
abilities, his reputation as an orator, and his
high social standing, and the credit he refiec-
ted upon the county and the State among the
people of adjacent commonwealth. we cannot
refrain from expressing regret that it was not
the will of the Convention to again present his
name for the suffrages of his constituents. 1t
was not so m oh a sentiment of opposition to
Mr.. Stuart that effected his defeat in the Con-
vention, as it was an expression of hostility to
the managers who ebstinately forced the Con-
vention upon the people, when they desired an
opportunity to give unembarrassed force to
their views Of measures and men at the ballot
box.
Knowing the people Of Augusta county as
we do, we do not believe that it was the
calm Judgment of the Convention, which closed
the proceedings in an expression Of distrllst
and even indignation against this eminent citi-
zen. 1t was more the exhibition OF feeling
stirred up and aggravated by the warm contest
W itch marked the closing hours Of the meeting,
q I'd a reflex of the incensed emotions of the
country delegates because of the result that fol-
lowed that excited conflict in the nomination
Of Maj. Hanger. Had the proposition of Judge
| McCue, il.structing the representatives in the
Legislature from the county to vote for Mr.
| Stuart for q. S. Senator, been submitted al
any other stage of the proceedings, or address
ed to the delegates on any other occasion. WE
do not believe there would have been one dis
senting voice. That it is the sentiment of the
people Of the county that Mr.. Stuart should b.
presented and supported for that position. We
do not believe there is room to doubt. 1t Ger
tainly would be an ngracious act on the par
of the people Of Augusta county, were they tt
overlook the distinguished position Of Mr.. Stu
art in the estimation Of the country. his elli
nent services to the county, his state and the
nation, and in their mature Judgment to re
cord a verdict that would throw dark clout
over the closing scenes of his public career.
Although it might not be expected of the
writer of this article that he would, from hi:
personal and party relations to the distinguish
gentleman, feel mortified at the action O
the Convention OH Judge McCue's resolutions
yet we yield to higher emotion than that O.
mere individual prediction, and express it as
our conviction, that more appropriat and befit-
ting sentiment could not have been expressed.
than that proposed in the motto. of Mr.. McCue'
Our relations to the public as a journalist as
well as citizen, forbid that we should subor-
dinate our Judgment to any other consideration
than the public interest, and it affords us
pleasure to record it as our belief that
great injustice was done to the sentiment Of
the people, and the pride and spirit OF the coun
ty, in the nconsiderate and precipitate action
of the convention in its negative response OIL
the occasion to which we allude.