The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-10-24
Spirit Of the Canvass.

in the friendliest spirit, and free from the
personalities which too frequently mark
the progress of contests for important pub
lie trusts. This is in consonance with the
public wish. The people are greedy for in
formation upon the all important question
of national finance, about which so little
has heretofore been said, and which is not
generally understood, and are in no humor
to countenance the fustian and fury of the
ranting demagogue. The gentlemen OPP
posing each other have given their views of
the questions introduced into the canvass,
and have earnestly maintained thel posi-
tons they have assumed. The peo-
pie no doubt, have gained information
they have had presented to them both sides
of tine: State debt and national finance is
sues, and are doubtless prepared to vote
intelligently in the premises. If those who
really agree with the views advanced by
Gen. Echols as to national fnance-the on
ly practical issue in the election-would
cast their votes for him, he would be elect
ed by a decided majority. Some of them,
however, regard this as subordinate to the
State debt question, and may either vote
for Paul or Harris, because of this miscon-
ception, although Gen. Echols represents
their views as to national finance. Others,
who conceive the views of Judge Harris,
as more moderate than those OF Capt. Paul.
and that Harris is stronger than Gen. Ech-
OILS, willvote for Harris to defeat Paul. It
is thus that many votes which should be
cast for Gen. Echols, because of the finan-
cial principle he maintains, may be cast
against him.
We have always found the most self-sat-
| isfactory course to pursue, was to advocate
and vote for what we believe to be right
The ballot is the instrument which conveys
the honest belief, as to government, OF
the voter, a nd should not be used to graft
fly personal feeling or prejudice. 1t is a
high privilege, and he who fails to com
prehend its import, or lightly regard its i'm
portance, to that degree fails in the duty of
good citizenship.
1t is gratifying to know that there has
| been nothing to excite unkind personal
feeling between the friends of the candl-
dates, nor the candidates themselves, and
that there is nothing to prevent the voters
from calmly and earnestly considering the
only question at issue. The people should
address themselves to the consideration of
the real and practical issue in the canvass,
for it is one that directly affects their in
terests, and endeavor to emancipate them
selv es from any undue prejudice or feeling
growing out of any irrelevant question:
Were they to do this, the result would indicate
popular sentiment in the manner it should
be declared, and vindicate the conservative
views entertained by thdkpeople upon a
question of supreme importance to all the
| true interests of the country.
| We can conceive of no more important
political duty than that involved in the de-
| terml nation of the issue in controversy. 1t
| is independent of party-independen and
above all mere personal considerations, and
comes directly home to the material welfare
of the constituent body, entering into,
ahe every day transactions OF the farmer,
the mechanic, the merchant, and all classes
of business men. An intelligent ballot, used
in full appreciation of its high dignity and
controlling power affecting the interests OF
the country, is an essential ingredient OF
good government and assured prosperity
1t should reflect the honest sentiment Of the
people-their conscience, too, as well as
their judgment, and be exercised with the
purpose of securing wise legislation and
wholesome laws. With fair, square, hon.
est vote in the November election, free from
personal prejudice, and with an earnest de-
sire to promote the general welfare, we
would have no fears for the result. We be-
lieve Gen. Echols represents the only fnan-
cial policy that can assure national and in
dividual prosperity, and that his election
wouldbe verdict fromthis Congressional dis
trict in favor of honest money-a protest
against the revolutionary purposes proclaim
ed by his opponents, and declaration that
the people have determined to do what they
believed to be right, regardless of men, and
in defiance of the selfish aims of those who
have asserted the principle he maintains but
fnsidiously encourage opposition to graf
fy personal prejudice and that method of
sapping and mining which will not bear the
calcium light of truth and fair dealing.