Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-08-25
Some Facts Worthy the Consid-
Grafton of the Voters Of the
9TH Dfstrscs.

[FOr the INDICATOR.
HARRIsONBURG, VA,
Aug. 81, 1876.
The most intense interest is felt here in
the election of delegates to the Democrat
ic Congressional Convention. Col. OFFER
rails friends are confident of eleeting
large majority of the delegates. perhaps the
entire delegation from Rockingham coun-
ty: and some of Harris warm supporters
admit that the opposition to him is very
strong and have d fair chance to carry the
county against him. The statement that
Green had elected a majority Of delegates
for Harris is not credited here. On the
contrary it is known on unquestionable
authority that the delegation from that
county stands four for O'Ferrall, one for
Southall and one for Harris.
The statement so extensively circulated
and evidently proceeding directly from
Mr.. Harris himself, that the opposition to
him is the exclusive work of politicians and
that the people are all for him, isa cunning
dodge of an exceedingly sharp political
manager, but will hardly win this time.
Neither the Hoo. John I. Harris, nor his
most influential supporter in the district,
without whose powerful assistance he
could not have been nominated IN 1870,
and to whom he will be indebted now for
his denomination should he receive it.
Col. M. G.. Hartman Of stanton, could
possibly pass muster as belonging to the
class of simple and unsophisticated people;
they are both well known as sagacious,
shrewd and energetic poll tical managers.
Mr.. Harris himself could undoubtedly take
the prize at any Worlds Fair as the Cbona-
3)ion Politician of the age against all COM
petitors from America, Europe Asia, AT
RIGA aud the Island of the Oceans. States
man he is not. The whole history of Ame-
rlcan legislation during his eight years ser
vice in Congress could lie written without
mentioning his name. He has no preten-
sions to the character of soldier. A citi-
zen of Virginia, who had been elevated by
the people Of this district to the proud pc.
sition of their Representative III the Con-
gresS of this United States, during the long
and hard struggle of four years which re-
suited in the subjugation OF this grand
old Commonwealth, he never once met the
invaders OF lis State to give them battle,
he never struck one blow III defence OF the
land of his birth and the homes ard rights
of the people who had honored him far
beyond his merits. Nor has this gentle
man, so utterly regardless Of the highest
duties of the citizen and patriot. ever al
lowed even his allegiance to party to
swerve him by hairs breath from the
path which his own ambition and interests
prompted him to tread. Processing to be
an ardent democrat in 1859, he ran for Con
gress against the regular nominee of his
party, the gallant and accomplished Skin
ner, and was elected over him by the votes
of small portion of Democrats united to
almost the solid Wing vote Of this district,
which was cast for Mr.. Harris for no rea-
son whatever, except, to enable the Wings
TO triumph in the defeat OF the selected
leader of the Tenth Legion Democracy.
Claiming to be Conservative i'll 1863, his
position was SO equivocal that the Conser-
natives were not willing to trust tim, and
nominated for Congress the Hon. Vim.
Mines, Jr., against whom Mr.. Harris
made an unsuccessful CANVASS, in which,
however, he had tie support OF the Raui-
Cal party. In justice however to this emil
nent man it iuuSt be said that III one great
object lie has never wavered, nor fatered.
His devotion to the promotion and aggrau-
dizemeut of John T. Harris has been grand
and sublime. His sentiments Of duty 20
Ills State and his party, if indeed they have
any place in his mind, exist there i'll per-
feet subordination to the controlling oh,
ject of his life, the qualification OF his own
inordinate and selfish ambition.
We're there no other objection to hisnom-
ination at this time, his position in regard
to the salary grab should be fatal to him.
With what propriety or consistency Can
the Democratic party urge the election of
Mr.. Tllden for President upon the great
issue of Reform, if they propose to elect
with him Congress composed of men who
participated in the profits OF the most cor
rupt and shameless egislation that has ever
disgraced the annals OF, the United States?
What valuable purpose could it serve to
elect Mr.. Tiden President, if majority
of the Congress elected with him Shall he
composed of salary grabbers and men OF
that ilk ? The President will be power
less to reform the corruption and abuses OF
the day without the cooperation Of both
houses OF Congress. And it is matter
for grave consideration by those who real
ly desire the success of the Democratic
party, and who place that far above the
qualification OF any mans ambition and
selfish views that the nomination at this
term for Congress of a salary grabber by
the District Convention of the Democratic
party i'll the very stronghold of Democracy
in the State of Virginia, will be seriously
detrimental to the cause of tue party, not
only in this State, but throughout the
Union, and will be urged by the RepuEli-
can press and canvassers everywhere as
furnishing conclusive proof of the hypoc-
racy and lnSlncerlty OF the Democratic
party in their profession of purpose and
desire to reform and purify the govern
ment.
People of the 18th Congressional District
OF Virginia! When Mr.. Harris present
term shall expire on the 4th of March next
he will have been your pembtr Of Congress
for eig LIT years, ont OF the ten years during
which you have had representation in the
National Legislature from 1853 to 1877
He has been your member Of Congress, but
has he ever been your Reprcsentatiue? Is
there any thing in his nature OF charac' er
as developed in his whole past career,
which entities him to be considered as a
fit representative of the frank, chiYalrous
and patriotic men Of this district WHO a
little more than fifteen years ago respon-
ded to the call Of Virginia, bore the BAN
ners OF StoneWaIl Jackson in triumph oyer
the bloodiest fields Of that fatal strife, and
through all the hardships and peril of four
years of war, stood firmly around the ban
ner of Lee until upon the fatal field Of APP
pomattox.
"Fats with pItess hand had furled,
The flag that once challenged the gaze of the world.
Has Mr.. Harris not been in Congress Of
ten enough? Why must all others in this
district now stand aside for him and he
have a lifetime as your member in that |
oodyY What argument can be urged !
n favor Of his reelection now, that would |
lot be entitled to equal weight two years