The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-08-08


the bottom SO completely knocked out of the
machine as was demonstrated last Thurs
day, the day appointed for holding the Con-
vention to nominate candidate for Con-
gress from this district. We really did not
think it was so weak and fiimsy, and ex-
pec.ed that at least seme show of vitality
would be exhibited. Not more than six or
eight delegates from distance, and about
the same number from this county,put in an
appearance. They did not pretend to go
near the Court house, where the Conven-
ton was to have been held, but lowered
around the Virginia Hotel, where consulta-
ton was held, and the determination reached
to return to their respective homes.
This result leaves the canvass to be shaped
hereafter We cannot, until further devel-
opments, form reasonable conjecture as to
what it will be, or how many candidates
will be in the field. Judge Harris cannot
now retire. After the fight that has been
made upon him, his self-respect will deter
mine an active and aggressive contest.
Capt, Paul has authorized his announce
ment, and it is needless to say he will make a
lively and attractive demonstration, such as
has not stirred the district for years. He
proclaims himself forcible re-adjuster,
in accordance with the resolve of the Con-
servative Convention which nominated
Gov. Holiday, and upon which resolve
Col. Holiday was elected-a platform to
which every one who voted for Holiday is
committed whether he knows it or not. MIR.
Massey is also announced in the Page coun-
ty paper, and we presume will be gener-
ally. Whether any one Ct these gentlemen
will retire, the future will determine. They
are all re.adjusters-Paul and Massie, orig
lnal simon pures; and Harris of more re-
cent date, because out OF State politics, and
| not absolutely required to face the issue I'M
| til this canvass commenced.
| In addition to the views implied in the
term REIMBURSEMENT as to State politics.
Judge Harris has declared in favor of an in
| f1ated volume of greenbacks, the issuing OF
$3.50, 100000 thereof; the substitution OF
greenbacks for national bank currency, and
the repeal of the tax on State banks. thus
opening the way for innumerable banks of
issue and discount under State laws.
These are questions of direct practical
bearing upon the contest for Congress, while
| the State debt question is only so contin-
gently land for the moral effect 4 verdict may
have upon :those interested. We have not
formally learned the views of the two other
candidates upon these issues, but it will be-
come necessary for them to declare them as
the canvass progresses.
These are the candidates thus far. What
are the flinders going to do? is question
asked a thousand times day, we guess, in
the district. AS yet, the answer is-muna !
Notwithstanding their boosted numbers,
they do not seem to be tretting for the fray,
or keen to measure strength with their bouy-
ant, confident and aggressive opponents
They will hardly ingloriously retire from the
field without breaking one lance at least,
showing that there is funder foeman
worthy of readjuster's steel. Not only
upon this issue is. it necessary to draw the
ton Judge Harris views on the greenback
issue, and those of all other competitors
| who may announce similar sentiments. 1t
will not do to allow such bold doctrines to
pass unchallenged. 1t is of vital practical
importance, and like every other question:
has two sides to it, on either of which will
be formidable following. When, how or
by whom this other side is to be represented,
we are at an utter loss to say. Col. Skinner
has declared that the funder side will have
a champion and that the debt question will be
discussed throughout ,the district, whether
by himself as regular candidate, or as an
amateur, has not been distinctly stated.
This is about the way the matter stands
/ certain. Gen. Echols and Maj. Hanger have
both been spoken Of in this Connection, but
whether either has hankering that way is
not known to the public. We can only await
developments, and then determine the prob
| abilities when the fight commences in earn
| est.
| The thought strikes us just here, that
while everything appears confusion worse
COMPOUNDED, the apparently defunct machine
may yet show some signs Of life. and try its
hand again at convention. This is not at
all impossible, for the loss of power and
authority SO sadly decreed by recent events,
sits extraordinarily hard upon the caucus
managers. In sheer desperation they may
attempt to forcstall the will of the people,
and by an epidemic injection inspire SUI
ficient vitality into the machine to SET it in
motion, with the natural result OF ring
conspiracy.
With this review of the situation and he
possibilities, we leave the subject for the
present, with the promise that as the can
vass progresses, we shall endeavor to repre-
sent the true interests of the people, with
out the fear or favor of any man before us,
and with no other ambition than to serve
Virginia to the best of our ability.
While the extreme Greenback advocates
are maturing their plans to flood the coun-
try with second edition of Confederate
Treasury notes, we would call their atten-
ton to the following facts: Our annual ex-
ports of domestic products exceed our i'm.
ports by 5000, 600, 900; we have 100000, 900
OF coin in the United States Treasury, which
will be thrown into the channels of business
Immediately on the resumption of specie
payment, besides the immense quantity of
coin in the centres of trade held for specu-