The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-05-25

w WI lOu otfliu)ViuLs Liz COutiCtlOlS Ol tuC |
people. both i'll town and county, are in accord !
with the views and the position of Mr.. Stuart.
Even the leading names which the Vindicotor
has mentioned AS cooperating with the primary |
movement condemn Its polcy-rcgard it as
nnwise in its conception, and believe now
that its result will he harmful Why these
gentlemen allowed a nervous timidty to over
come their Judgment, and submisslvely ex-
pose their backs to the lash of the pestiferous
agitators who assume to represent the Con-
servative party, was and is u mystery to us.
They were driven, against their honest convic-
tons, into public identity with the selfish
schemes of the blatant demagogues who first
suggested party lines to disguise their personal
ends in the coming municipal election, and are
row not in heart with the movement.
MI. Stuart, however, is made of different
material. When approached upon the subject
OF joining in with the primary agitation, he
uttered the golden sentcnce-s.I neuer aUow
my enemies, to lead me against ma friends"
File recognized in the orgiuators of the unwise
and i'll every respect injurious movement, the
same class of men who had revolted the sense
OF justice and right of the people last fall, and
which was finally and Significantly rebuked by
them. The substantial and discriminating
citizens of town and county were IN sympathy
with him then as they are now and in assum-
ing the high conservative ground he does, he
but reflects the sentiment of the most inUel-
gent and reliable of the citizens of the county,
for we have met with but two gentlemen from
the county, to whom we have talked, who did
not utterly condemn the suicidal policy adopted
which has brought about this unnecessary
agitation.
1t does not require the endorsement of the
pitifu schemers who first commenced this con-
tention, to place Alex. II. FL. Stuart in his true
light before the people. A public life Ct forty
years. with the flower of his manhood and the
vigorous mental energies and resources of
maturer years, given to his State ard country,
present him in conspicuous contrast to the
little political tom tits, who tlutter ard skip
about the curb-stones of Stanton, forget
| full of the broad theater of usefulness upon
which Mr.. Stuart has played no insignificant
nor unimpressive part. Men of sense could not
have expected him % adjust his views TO the
housing ambition of these contemplate agita-
tors. His mental attributes were cast in a
deeper mould. His thoughts have been trained
in Il holder channel, and his stndies have been
more elevating and ennobling. He stands be-
fore the country to-day us st0tesladn-his
sagacity. his learning, his gifts In oratory,
Stamping him as one of the few men living
whom Virginia can CLAIM AS rejecting her
fame in the domain of letters and of states
manship. His name will be cherished in
Augusta and Virginia especially. and remem-
bered throughout the nation, long after the
little political tbmble-riggers and mounte-
banks, who revolt the very thought of manhood
in their contemplate trick, and dsreputabe
manipulations, have been scorned into utter
forgctfulness. His reputation is part of the
glory of Grand Old Augusta, linked to the
memories s'that were not born to die.''
His broad ideas of State policy, his jealousy
of Virgina's honor, his able eudcavors in be
half of her regeneration, lift him infinitely
above the groveling asplrat ions of the miserable
sensationalists who prowl in the alleys and by
ways to attain their selfish ends by the most
disgusting and degrading agencies, reckless of
all the best interest of city, county and State.
They breathe a different atmosphere, are
operated upon by different influences, the
range of their vision is cfrcumscribed by diff
ferent horizon-it is the contrast of the glow
worm and the meridian sun-and it could
hardly he expected that the elevated thoughts
and convictions of the one would harmonic
with the low instincts and bad ambition of the
others.
Mr.. Stuart's reputation stands guarded by a
life of devotion to his native city. county and
State. The monuments of his ]abors tower up
all around lis The dumb speak his praise );
the lack lustre eyes, grow animated in re-
mcmbrance of his services disorled reason IS
inspired with glcam Of gratitude at the men
ton of his name, and the swiftly speeding
locomotive heralds the evidence of his sagacity,
his Influence and untring energy in behalf of
this people and section. His has been mission
Of benetcent results. He has eomprehended
the public welfare. and aimed to encompass
the good Of the people.
With such life and such record. it would.
indeed. have been strange ard anomalous
contradiction, if he had allowed his name in
the ripened period of his faculties and his char
acter, to be used to foment discord i'm commu
murity and to sanction the SANDERS upon some
of our best citizens, who have been his stead
fast friends.
1t is because of this manly and honorable
course that his position has been placed in pro-
mnent contrast with that of Judge Cochran,
Gen. Echols, Speaker Hanger, and others,
who. entertaining similar views of the impo-
| Icy and harInftlness of the selfish schemes of
the reckless a@itators, have permitted Them
selves to be dragooned into them. and an
nounccd their surrender OF their original con-
yictions, in the interest of what they saw the
Ja,ty has demanded. Even in the reason thav
have assigned, there is no substantial force. IL
is more imaginary than real. 1t cannot he
denied that public sentiment was at first
strongly against it. The sturdy manhood OF
the city was against it. But tho agitators Der.
sisted in their efforts, until they aroused an
excitement and intaned popular prejudice.
and finally succeeded in sedtleing, deceivirp
and bullying about one-fourtll Of the voters of
the. city into primary election. Had Gen.
Echols, Senator Cochran and Speaker Hanger
1>,,.,. ,<.. t:x.o Al.