The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-10-17
The Fifth District.

An active canvass is now progressing IN
the Fifth Congressional District between
Hon. J. R. Tucker, Democratic nominee,
and Capt. Camm Patteson, fiat money candi-
date. They both addressed the people of
Rockbridge last week at Lexington, land from
the brief report of the speeches VIC have, the
discussion was spirited and enthusiastic
Capt. Patteson advanced the EXTREMIST
greenback notions, contending substantially
for the reputation Of the entire national
debt, by forcing its payment with two thous-
and millions of fiat money. This position is
so utterly fallacious that it requires no ar
gument to dispose of it. The American
people will indeed have become demoralized
when any such notions about national finance
prevail. It would be national degradation
without one single redeeming feature.
The views of Mr.. Tucker were moderately
conservative. While he argued for the re-
peal of the resumption act and the national
bank law. he maintained that it would be a
breach Of national faith to legislate Ito pay
$3.50, OOO,O 900 five-twenties in greenbacks.-
Not only this, but he commended for re-
deemable greenbacks, and recognized gold
and silver as the only safe basis for the cur
rency of the country.
We differ with Mr.. Tucker on many of his
views of public policy and the methods to
be adopted to secure national prosperity !;
but as between the line of thought he main
tains, and that advanced by his opponent,
we could not hesitate in our choice were we
in his district. We would support him with
out hesitation and with sincerity, notwith
standing he is the nominee of the Demo-
cratic party. We regard the currency of
such supreme importance, and the fiat mon
ey fallacy with such utter adherence that
no mere partizan affiliations or considers
tions could induce us journalist, to favor
any man who supports it, were he our most
intimate personal friend. In fact no man
who is sincerely Republican, and believes
the principles Of his party to be right. could
for an instant give countenance to any such
wild and insane notions us Capt. Patteson
proclaims on the finance question. We have
SO frequently exposed this fallacy that it
would be useless and tedious to repeat it
here. Republicans have nothing to gain by
opposing the nominees Of Democratic Con-
vention, when that opposition may inflict
grave injury upon the country if success
full. Capt. Patteson is a pronounced party
man, except when it is to his interest to be
otherwise. Were he to be elected his line of
policy would far more widely differ from
that of the administration than would Mr..
Tucker, while there is no comparison be-
tween the two gentlemen in the proper con-
ception of repr esentative duty and ability
to enforce it. Every Virginian feels proud
of Mr.. Tucker because of his brilliant intel
lect and high moral tone and courteous
bearing, however much he may differ with
him politically and as Mr.. Patteson more
radically differs from the Republicans upon
all essential principles of public policy, we
see no reasonable excuse why he should be
supported by them. They ought to select
the best and most conservative man, when
only Democrats are to be chosen from, or
abstain from voting at all. No man or par
ty is benefited by the prostitution of the
ballot to the qualification of prejudice. 1t
is an instrument provided by law to vindi-
cate principles, and should be used with
care and discrimination, and full sense OF
response thebility attached.