National Republican., 1878-09-02
THE SECOND VIRGINIA DISTRICT.

strong hand. Democratic parsimony
staryes the people. That is the effect.
THE SECOND VIRGINIA DISTRICT.
We have some assurance that the Repub-
lcans of the second Congressional district
of Virginia will meet in convention to-mor-
row and nominate candidate in opposition
to Mr.. GooDE. We hope these assurances
may be made good and that the Republican
party will assert its organization and full
strength in the pending campaign. There
are several potent reasons why this should
be so. In the first place the district is
largely Republican in sentiment and votes,
and the right of suffrage is somewhat pro-
tected now against the gross frauds that
gave GooDE his present seat. The chances
of fraud are diminished, if not entirely over
come. In the second place, Mr.. GooDE is
unworthy the position he now fills by fraud
He is not qualified by native ability, per-
sonal accomplishments, or the instincts of n
gentleman to hold position in the House
of Representatives of the United States as
an American statesman. Hence, if the
Republicans of the district have
not lost their sclf-respect and con-
fidcncc under the past frauds practiced
upon them and the fact that they are not
creditably represented in the present Con-
gross, they will rally the party as one man
and send at least respectable man and
Republican rs their representative.
1t is charged against GooDE by his own
party ftjends that he secured his present
nomination as he did his former election
by the most barefaced corruption aud fraud.
For that reason the Republicans and more
honest Democrats should see to it that the
district is no longer misrepresented after
the close of the present Congress.
1t is intmated that Mr.. BRAXToN, the
collector of customs of Norfolk, and other
Federal otlice-holders scattered through the
navy-yard are opposed to Republican action
in that district at this time. If that be So
no heed should be given to such counsels
from any quarter, for they are anti
Republican and fraudulent. If Mr..
BRAXToN or any other Federal official
has enlisted under the GooDE banner
let them lay aside the Republican uniform
and openly take position in the Democratic
ranks, where they belong, They can no
longer successfully ride two horses. We do
not know that Mr.. BRAXToN claims to be q
Republican; indeed, we have some proof on
our table which goes to show that he has
never been more than thn-plated Repub-
licau, with Democratic metal lying near the
surface. However be that as it may now
we pass it for the present But one thing
Is very certain: neither Mr.. BRAXToN MOI
any other prolessed Republican can cstab
lsh his orthodoxy by hanging on to tn,
skirts ofMr GooDE, by sustaining his cause
or by an effort to dssuade the Republicans
of the district from organizing and pushing
the canvass with the full force of the Repub
lican power, determined TO win. If Mr.
BRAXToN, as o real or pretended Repub
lican, chooses to desert the Republican
standard in this hour, let him follow hi
own promptings, and, like the wind, blow
where he listeth.
That should not weigh n feather with the
true, brave, and determined men Of tin
party. They should go on with the work
of vindicatiug Republican principles ant
power, regardless Of what he or any othe
man may do IT. on the other hand, th
Republicans of that district have misunder
stood the conduct Of Mr.. BRAXToN, and fine
him yet in sympathy with the Republican
cause and ready to bear hand in the work
of redccming the district, show him tina
there is yet room for his efforts and in
auencc in the Republican party. Mr.. BRAX
TON may feel constrained by his relation
to the National Administration TO respec
| the cyil-service rules and abstain from actiy
political labor in the field. If so, his respec
for those rules will, if he is O consistent an,
upright man, debar him from giving aiC
and comfort to GoODE. BE this as ii may
: the Republican party has duty to perform
which it must not relax jot or title O.
= account of the lukewarmness or inactio
| of any officer of the General Government
. The Republican party is about taking
new departure for 1850, when we trus
5 in Divine Providence to give the part,
. the power to correct the errors of the pres
c ent era, and those who are laggards in tn
S Republican field now will then find tina
, fidelity and good service meet their prope
s reward. Existing things will pass away i
= two years and hall, and, compared wit
: eternity, that time Is very brief.
We may lind occasion to refer to this sui
D ject again, and pay our respects more full
/, to Collector BRAxToN, his antecedents au
= his present course of action but for II