The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-10-31
Withdrawal Of Gen. EchoIs.


Withdrawal Of Gen. Echols.
The card Of Gen. Echols addressed to the
voters OF the Seventh Congressional Dis
trict, withdrawing his name from the list of
candidates for Congress, will be found in
this issue Of the VIRGINIAN. He briefly
assigns his reasons for this determination,
and we are sure his many friends through
out the District will read them with the
same regret that we have experienced in
their perusal. It has never occurred, in
long editorial experience, that we felt more
deeply the importance Of thorough discus
sion OF public questions, than in this canvass.
Especially the national finance issue was
but little understood, and when Gen, Echols
consented to announce himself candidate
for Congress and entered upon the elucida-
ton OF this vital Question to the interests
OF the people, we were more than gratified,
and at once determined to aid him as best
we could in the work be had assumed. We
cherished the hope that his commanding abil-
tiles and thorough acquaintance with the
questions at issue would stimulate concern
and awaken sentiment commensurate with
the District, and addressing the people in
each of the counties composing it, a healthy
sentiment was developed which if it could
have been concentrated, would have encour-
aged him to have continued the contest until
the day OF election. The lateness OF the
day, however, at which he commenced his
labors, found the great majority Of the vo-
tiers committed to one or the other of the
candidates who had been before the people
for several months previous, and while the
popular mind was stirred and the wisdom
and justice OF his views recognized, yet
there has been wanting that positive assur-
ance of support which was necessary to in
sure continuance Of his candidacy. 1t
was not on account of himself that his with
drawal was determined on, but the cause
I he represented. He was sufficiently in
+ formed of the condition of popular feeling
to know that there would be no fair express
sion of the sentiment of the people upon
the issues presented, because of the compli-
cations which existed as to the other candi-
dates, as well as to the two prominent ques-
lions discussed. Not to have polled the full
strength of those who really agreed with
him, would have conveyed a wrong impress
sion abroad and justified the inference that
the financial fallacies proclaimed by his OPP
ponents constituted the creed of the people
of this District. 81 ua 81
AS we have heretofore explained there
were those who agreed with Gen. Echols in
the views he advanced as to national finance,
who differed with them on the State ques-
ton. and so tenacious were they of their
convictions as to the State question that
they made it paramount to the national sis-
sue. giving their support to one or the other
of his opponents because of this State issue,
while they differed with both of them on
the finance question. There were others
who believed with Gen. Echols on both
State and National issues, who have become
so excited and interested in the fortunes of
the other candidates, that they give prece-
dence to personal feeling as to them over
any conviction they may entertain as to
State and National policy.
With these complications existing and this
policy prevailing, it would be utterly impos-
sible to obtain truthful expression at the
ballot-box of the sentiment of the people,
upon the real and vital issue presented,
and thus believing. Gen. Echols, for the
sake of the cause he espoused. determined
to withdraw from the contest.
The canvass he has made, and the argu-
ments he has laid before the people upon
the national finance issue have been we'll re-
ceived and aroused the people to serious
thought upon the subject. There has been
developed a sentiment of aversion to the
greenback party. that under less complicated
circumstances, would have found expression
at the polls in the choice of the representative
ola safe, stable currency, and fixed standard
of value. The sturdy people of the Valley
counties, especially, have no idea of giving in
their adhesion to an irredeemable paper
currency, and had the canvass been opened
earlier before the contest had assumed
personal character and committals to
Paul or Harris consummated, a very salts
this fact. AS it is, very few of those who
had determined to vote for Gen. Echols, will
now vote for either one of the others, be-
cause to do so would be to substanti ally en-
dorse their views upon the finance question.
They regard the ballot as the means to give
expression to and place upon record their
honest Observation-Disclosures they would
wish to have Impressed upon legislation,and
differing widely from Judge Harris and
Capt. Paul upon this vital issue, and believ-
ing Interviews would do harm to the coun
try if formulated into law, they will have
no.part in the election of either.
We do not attach much Importance to the
State debt question in this contest, for in no
event can it become practical, and we can
see no reason or sense in giving it. para
mount influence over the practical, vital
question of national finance. As to the
State debt, it is we'll known that we differ |
ticulars. We do not, however. differ with him |
as to the practicability Of settlement with |
the creditors upon four per cent. bond.-|
We have heretofore discussed this point and |
given our reasons for the belief we enter
tain, and believe now that it can be made
The basis of an adjustment that will be sat
sfactory to both the creditors and the State.
We not only believe this, but we believe it
TO be the duty of the State to indicate will
ingness for settlement upon this basis.
We are sure it would be to the mutual inter-
,st OF creditor and debtor, and that unless
ome arrangement is made by which an adj
ustment is effected, certain ruin must come
lpon Virginia. We are now losing more
y the exhibit we are compelled to make
1 our condition than the necessary increase
I taxation to meet the whole of the debt
YOuld amount to, and self-interest, if no