Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-05-26
THE VINDIOAToR FOR THE CAMPAIGN.
YOUR VOTE TODAY.

The polls have been open since five
O'Clock! If you have not yet voted we
should like to say word to you. This is
no mere municipal election in which you
are to take part. It is one. and an i'm
portant one, of the Virginia municipal
elections preceding the Presidential cleo
ton, and its result will be telegraphed
with the results in other cities of the State,
in less than forty-eight hours to every
city in this Union. If it goes Conserva-
tive it will to that extent strengthen the
hands of the Democracy; if it goes Repub-
lican it will to that extent strengthen the
Republicans through the country. That
condensed method of telegraphing admits of
no lengthy explanations, no explaining
away of local causes-when the message
reaches the furthermost States in our
country, North and South, it will simply
read: s'Staunton has gone Conservative, I"
or ''Staunton has gone Republican. Those
States in the far South who have sent theft
children here to educate, to get away from
Radical governed States, will know be-
fore tomorrow night if Staunton has gone
Republican or Conservative. We are in a
position, by means of rapid news circu-
lation, that our political actions, or any
other actions, cannot be hid from our
countrYmen. If the city goes right this
facility is so much the better for us; if
wrong, it is so much the worse. But either
way it is sure. Of the effect at the North,
in the sensitive state Of mind preceding the
Presidential election, you can all judge;
but for its effect (if RadicaD at the South,
there isn't merchant or mechanic in
Staunton who will not have to suffer.
We are peculiarly situated with reference
to that portion Of the Union. Close beset
by Winchester, competitor in the matter
Of Female Colleges and popular city with
the South, we cannot afford to trife with
the hold we consider so firmly established.
A Radical success here would do more to
set the tide that way than any other Ca
lamity that could befall us. A great con-
fagration would not do half as much.
This is the business or, if you choose,
mercenary view of the matter. But there
is another which every true Conservative
must take in his heart. We must all feel
touched by the deep interest which has
been shown in our election all over Virgin
Ia It is not light matter to be held in
such esteem by the State. It should do
more than minister to our self esteem. It
should move us to greater effort to deserve
it. The people of Stanton are not pre-
pared to be left out of the Conservative
party. They are not prepared to be set
down on the Conservative books as doubt
full. Our interests, all our feelings, all our
hopes are with that party. What can Mr..
PATTERSON, OF Mr.. KER, or Mr.. EVANS.
Or any of those who are running against
our ticket be to us, compared with our al
legiance to the organization that saved
Virginia ? What are any of these men to
us compared with our place in the Conser-
vative brotherhood Of Virginia When
they are forgotten our party will still
move on. There will but regret be left foi
the man who gives way to personal pref
erence or personal pique, and votes against
his people. And that is the right term. II
is his people. his white brethren. Howev-
fer, this canvass may have been CONNIE. C.
ed, from whatever motive, it has day by
day grsWn into contest Of a few white
men supported by all the negroes, against
the white people of Staunton. 1t is the
old, old story that will be told over and
over again whenever the negroes see an
opening in our ranks throu 5h which they
may hope to dash. They are always ready.
Ever in line you see no wavering in tn cir
ranks. The white Republicans treat them
as slaves and yet they falter not. They
get no offices, no promotion, no respect
and yet they stand sullen and serried, will
ing1y to bear anything, to do anything to
beat the Conservatives. They teach TIN
white men who from greed of office or low
OF place would divide their own party, a
lesson which they could learn with profit,
still more-with honor.
To-day's sunset will answer the question
whether the white men of Staunton have
as much strength of conviction as the ne
groes. AS for us we believe in the white
man. You! the white man that is just
finishing this article we believe in you.
VOTE THE CONSERVATIVE
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