The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-10-21
Let the People Speak,

Aee IAo 1tOple speak
1t is, now that the buzz and confusion and
excitement OF the nominating convention are
over for lis to say that in the course we have
pursued, we haye been animated solely by
desire to excite Il concern on the part of the
people in regard to the men they will send to
the Legislature 10 represent this great county.
1t will not be denied by any, that heretofore
the peopie-tkose whose hard earnings support
goverAment-wllose property is regulated by
the laws that are enac;ed-wi.ose interests are
affected ny t'fetf operatou--li;lye been entirely
too careless IN tile exercise Of the important
privilege OF the elective franchise, aa,.H flsgvr
only discovered the harm they eKctv,f to llem-
selves, WHEN they begin to feel the workings
and'oppressiofs Of bad laws. They have al.
lowed a few active, selfish politicians, to con-
troll in matters pertaining to elections. and
have thus ahand med their guardianship of
their own rights and interests, by li1t.tly con-
sidering the Importance and gravity of the bal.
lot-boN Indeed SO Far has s s,,ir.; nf rc.niss-
ness been prevalent, that VIZ nave heard intel-
'Seht men, 'heFl Of Property, boast that they
never Vo'sc-tlE.t they have never registered
lll' otleIs declare that, having voted, it is the
last li,me they will trouble themselves TO 20 to
the polls. Do these gentlemen reflect that by
such conduct, they actually surrender their
citizenship-they divorce themselves, vounta-
rily. from the only means in the l. reach, to
protect themselves from bad legislation and
bad laws, and leave the regulation Of the grs.-
vest matters OF public concern to the control OF
be governed, and who are stimulated Ivy selfish
and unworthy schemes i'll the promotion of
personal ambitions!
The timely interest that has been manifested.
during the past few weeks, by the great mass Of
the people, in the public affairs of the county.
is the result. i'll no small degree, of the course
of this paper. 1t was our object to bring about
This very condition of things, aud now that the
attention Of the people has been fully aroused,
we can. with propritty, abatc the Interest we
have shown, and let the voters themselves, d,-
tcrmne, in he men they may vote for, the
character OF the Legislation they desire.
1t is not amiss just here, as in harmony with
what we have done, to formally bring before
the people names that have been suggested to
It's by intelligent Conservatives and Republic
cans. as suitable persons to be voted for in the
coming election to represent the county in the
lower house Of the Legislature. 1t is merely
necessary for lis to mention the gentlemen for
the suggestion to command the attention and
respect of the county. for they stand high for
their intelligence. their unbemislled private
characters. and their indentity with the best
interests Of the county:
GEORGE SEAWR1GHr. ESQ,
GEO. a. BRUCE. Esq,
WI. Il. RUSH, ESQ.
We are guilty of no act OF p;.lrizan partiality
in this publication. for neif, of the gent lr-
men has any sympathy with our political aflin-
tiles. They. however, are gentlemen known
for their integrity, their Intelligence, and Ca
pacity. and we are moved in presenting them.
solely by a desire to give the people OF the
county all opportunity to make u choice at the
polls, independent of the dictates and n,anipu-
lation of caucus. With the six men in the
field to choose from, an opportunity would be
presented for those who are dissatisfied with
the entire ticket nominated. to make such Sc
lections, as in heir Judgment, will be for the
best interest of the county and State. 1t is not
necessary to kill the caucus system to rep,ul-
ate the men an toto presented BY it. but to dis
own the manner and the order in which
they have been thrust forward, and to select
from the six the three who will be most accep-
table.
We leave the matter with the people, with
out expressing an individual preference. b =
lieving that the intelligent voters OF the coun-
ty. when fully awakened to d sense of their
duty and obligations, can determine for them
selves who nley want to reflect their views in
| the Legislative Halls of the State
VIII the Spectacle Z..%or lis with It's deiini-