The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-05-18

that right. II they are tr,se to amncsty-true
to the constitution of the State and nation
they will respect it; when it is exercised in
the interest of good government. and for the
elevation to positions of trust and responsible
ty of good men. they should respect it and
commend them for it. But it matters not how
the negroes vote. it will suit the purpose of the
spirit of demagoguism, to denounce ito
arouse prejudice against it, and endeavor to
array the white class against it, even if it be in
the right. This looks suspicious for gentlemen
who profess to ''accept the situation hon.
estly abide the acts of reconstruction, and
conform 10 the obligations under which we
all rest 1t is not fair, it is not just, and GER
tainly not in the interest of the peace and har-
mony of community.
The allnsion to the schools by Gen. Echols
and DR.. Fanntleroy was extremely unfortl-
nate. These gentlemen know full well that
there is no danger to these interests in the
election of the ticket that is opposed to the
primary. They know if there is any possible
harm to grow out of it, it will be by the false
statements that will be sent out by the despi-
cable dcmagogues who have instituted this
contention-it will be by the perversion of
the truth, and ISLANDERS upon gentlemen who
are the peers Of any other of the citizens of
Stapntoli. The public and private schools of
Staunton have found in the gentlemen OF the
old Council their warnest friends-tfeir most
| earnest supporters. 1t is the yercst nonsense
to assume otherwise, aud only shows the des-
perate straits to which the speakers were driven
to repeat the stale slang Which first found cur
Irency i'm the columns of the Tindicator-a paper
that never comprehended the force of an intel
I ligent idea, nor aspired to the use of legti-
mate argument. 1t lives upon sensation, and
will be very apt to die of an over dose of it,
i 1t was a pitiablc sight to see Gen. Echols
and Judge Cochran, gentlemen who have po-
litical experience and elements of character to
commend them to public confidence, following
the leading strings of the contemplate set who
first originated this agitation, and allowing them
selves to be driftcd into current that is 1t.
dened with poisonous ingredients to the body
polite, Had they exhibited the moral courage
that was expected of them-followed the die
tates and suggestion of their own calm, Impair
tial judgments, they would have properly re-
proved the spirit Of strife and asccrbity and re-
b"ked the pestiferous agitators, who have
sought to implicatc in their personal spites and
selfish designs the entire community.
The truth is the public and the private
schools of Staunton have been built up during
the administration of the city's affairs by the
present. council. The public schools, especial
ly. have been the object of the greatest soici
tide and concern, and the most liberal policy
has been manifested for their encouragement
and perfection. 1t would be well, indeed, tt
consider what the effect of change in the Git,
Council would be upon this favorite interest,"
1t would be an experiment of doubtful propri
city, if not of absolute injury, for some of the
gentlemen it is proposed by the primary move
ment to place in the Council, are opposed tt
the principle of public free schools, and, il
they are honest, they would certainly seek t.
carry their principles into practical operation