The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-10-21
The Duty of Citizenshln.

ty--a common duty, which trenches neither
npon the political thought of the individual
nor the integrity of his political alliance. 1t is
to advance by all honest means. the proSper-
ty of his llciyhbors and the State. A great
public improvement which unites agricultural
resources to Il good market, increases the fAcil-
ties of travel between the rural districts and
business centres as well as induces immigration,
creates an iEtereScllallye Of opinions between
people of different sections, and attragts their
sympathes as members OF cot,1non BROTHER
hood, il one of the chief Observation-Disclosures of
civilizations 'Phe statement Of the proposition
carries its own proof.
'Elfe establishment of q sound. general sys-
tenn OF education in schools, where the youth
of the country. it's future voters and props can
have the opportunity Of being t;uaght to read,
TO write, to calculate ilt figures, to determine
and understand the nature OF the earth they
walk on, the air they breathe. the sky above
them, and the rich treasures beneath them. Is
II hyh duty which the government, whether of
Conservative or Republican phase, owes to thu
people, and each citizen has the ;n,nrratv.
obligation resting upon Him TO vc,,te for - ma,
to become a part of that government who will
not aid III so Just AID phila.unro,ic an eu,leav
or' "c promotion Of industrial enterprises, BY
oullo-lg up ii.dnuflctories in every nriyhbor
mood v.nere nature affords an agency free in
/ assisting the muscles and mind OF the opera.
tive in the accomplishment of re.n.iner.-
tive labor, not even the spirit Of old fngyi>n
will now deny, should meet with coy,liai coop
Grafton from every member Of society. Its iln-
mediate benefits to the laberng class in aifor-
ding them place to obtain wages, aud the
general benefits rvtlectiyrly scattered every
where cannot be computed,
These are instances Or examples Which neel
not be involved III ccssariy in the hot whifl of
party passion, and where the common sense of
the world can apply itself without the drill and
influence OF political organization and combi-
nation. We hardly think that there is any one
| vino will not agree with these sentimen S. yet
we fear that there are but few who can 80 dis
sociate themselves from the party et;cts. as to
act dispasstonltely Oil these cardinal principles
| OF progress. where an apparent conflict exists
between their success and the success Of party.
But we Ito not care to speak Of this here. We
do care though to sp ,ak here now Of the fact,
that Republicans are us much interested in the
success of fair, liberal schemes of internal i'm
provement. Of education, of manufactures, Of
agricultural development, as-collscrv:.tives, and
conservatives us republicans.
In county as large as Augusta, as popnlous
and ch and influential, it behooves all men to
rally to the support of candidates for tile Leg
islalure who will be most capable. and most
DESTROYS Of elevating the social and individual
condition OF our people. and advancing the
genera; prosperity Of all.
No Republican candidate is announced for
Allgusts in connection with legislative repre-
sentation, but Conservatives have to represent
all the people. 1t behooves Republicans then
to select the wisest and best of the candidates
whose names may be presented and to cast
their votes ut the polls for them. The right OF
suffrage appertains to all alike. and no man chi,
be driven from the polls with his ballot, only
because he does not happen to support Cou-
Gus Nominee, or because he does support a eau
Gus nominee. In General Council the people
of Augusta. we believe. We're able to select their
representatives. The 1000 or 5000 voters
speaking through the ballot box we believe,
would be rs potential as the voice of a select
convention SO speaking is recommendation first
| to them.
Party has determined otherwise here TO de-
gree-to a degree we mean in having chosen
to say to the 4, 600 or 5000. who they should
vote for. This was the privilege of course OF
! those who assumed to dictate, and we had no
say in such t!ictation. We only know it has
occurred and we advise according to the cir.
cumstances which surround lis. We say to Re
pnblican>, indeed we venture to say to all. vote
for the Wisest and best men Of the candidates
who are announced or will accept office regard
less OF nominations. This might not be
wholesome advice for the Conservatives if u
Republican was in the field, hut there is no Re-
publican in the fied-no political power is in
jeopardy shall we not have the best men. the
most Intelligent phlanthropc, just and fair
men?
We designate here no Names for we do not
| know who will come to tia surface amidst the
confusion that is now existing. good man
tells for hI:nself He can hardly be misuner-
stood. Independent of clip :e power. be has
power in himself; independent of partiza,l
Gictation he will support wholesome scheme
for his country's prosperity, and rrpud;ate
that which is disastrous. A good. true man
can-lot be demagogl,e, for the last appeals ia
prejudice and is purgrd by prejudice. making
self the chief end Of his life, his petty ambi-
lions his controlling Influence, he W Md not
hesitate to trade away a principle so subserve
these.
1t is objected, Republicans, that in county
convention, you should choose of Conservatives
whom You think is best. In the great convel,-
ton of the voters at the polls you have guar
anteed this right. Exercise it at the polls in
| November, and remember to vote for him and
! them who are most capable. honest and de-
| termined in the ,in,l cation Of :te right and
| the advancement Of the good of the people.
| strong effort is berg made to get the Pres
| ilent to remove Miss Van Lew, postmi>tress of
| Richmond. 1t is believed that the Postmaster
Ge!;era! favors another person, bat that the
| President is very much inclined to retain Miss
| Van Lew.