The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-12-11
Virginia Politics.
REPUBLICAN FUNDER sPEAKs-A DEFENCE OF RE
PUBLICAN RE-ADJUSTERS.

Sir AS a Debtpaying member of the General
Assembly Of Virginia. ask the privilege Of avail
ing myself of the columns of your valuable jour
nal to correct the erroneous impressions which
prevail outside the State as to the motives which
induced the line OF policy pursued By the ma
iority of the Republicans in the organization of
the General Assembly, hoping to thereby miti-
gate the severe censure and La sh criticisms
passed by the Republican press of the country
up0n my fe1low-members, who. while differing
from me in opinion and vote have acted honest
ly and conscientiously to advance what they
conceive to be the true interests Of the party.
The motives which under and cause their
alliance with the Re-Adiusters are not the d.
vision OF the spoils of petty Offices. as seems TO
be generally believed, but they satisfied hat
the Re-Adjusters will, by proper legislation,
secure to them rights and privileges long denied
and especially give to the co1ored men rights
jurors aid repeal that provision OF the Constitu-
efore exercising the elective franchise; law
which practically DISTINGUISHES half of the co.
ored voters.
These measures, vaguely intimated before the
election are now openly advocated by leading
Re-Adjusters and boldly procla lined by their
principal organ. The Republican party is pow
eriess to afford them this relief and secure these
rights The Democratic Debtpayers do not offer
10 do so, and the great body Of that party is OPP
posed - these measures.
III the recent election the Democratic Debtpay-
opinion OF the debt the test of his Democracy
Re1adinsters ont Of the party The .pectacle
was presented OF party already badly shattered.
endeavoring to reform by means OF caucus com
inand so potential heretofore. and using for
that purpose met sure OF public policy which
Should have been voted upon without party
nomination.
The Republicans in counties where they had
no candidates fsiled to see any advantage to
their party in assisting by their votes to build
up the regular Democracy to be crushed by them
i'll the next Presidential election. and seeing
their old enemy, the regular Democracy in line,
delivered a whitening fire and annihiiated their
ancient and iDveterate foe. In counties where
Republicans. whether Dehtpayers or Re Adjust.
ers. were candidates. We find the great mass OF
the party supporting them The "olored men
constitute, the great body Of the Republican
,arfx md hat daun ion and dpl RI 10
something wonderful and touching. The col
pred voters of my Senatorial district, knowing
knds, cheered debt sentiments and in the
fest meeting held in the district passed this
tuition:
ped. That slaves we worked to make
rich freemen will vote TO make
red and respected.
PRESTON has gone abroad that the Re-
Is have thrown way an excellent chance
pg Republican United States genator.
II hS9l~een said that Democratic Debtpayers
exchange for the State officers and County
Judges. There never was a greater fallacy, and
the tone OF the press OF the State before the
meeting of the General Assembly proves it. The
Democratic Debtpayers' vote ia 50. which added
10 the Republican vote of II. makes ~; II is
majority Of the whole body Last IFS Demo-
cratic Dehtpayers declined to go INTO the cosi-
lion it was a failure There were Democratic
nent, but there is no reason to suppose they
ever numbered so many as %. and certainly
nothing like definite offer ever m Ge. IT
is certain think. that sufficient number Il
Democratic Debtpayers would have preferred
General Malone to a Republican to secure his
election without the aid OF single v tie from
our party.
Had General Malone failed O secure any Re-
publicRns, many Of his followers would have
preferred a democratic d tbtpay TO a Repulli-
can, and in contingency was it possible o
advocated voting for Republicans on the first
day, as to cure Republican Senator. if
possible by preventing an organization. Or at
ali events to Obtain definite pledges as to the
repeal of the payment Of capitatiOn as requisite
10 voting and jury rights for colored men,. The
majority of the caucus overrulnd myself and
other Debtl ayers, and having generale pledged
themselves to Re-adjustm-nt decided to go INTO
the Democratic Re-Adiusters csucus The
Debtpaying Republicans decided to go into no
caucus, save with Republicans. 1t is entirely
is certain that they went assured that all
obnoxious legislation wonld he repealed by the
Ra-Adjusters, and many of them believed that in
1882 the bulk ofthe RA-Adinsters would become
Republicans and carry the state. This is not at
all impossible, it is even thought to be rather
propable.
In the Presidential contest of 1880 the Demo-
cratic Re- Adiusters must decide whether they
will support the Democratic or Republican can
didate in order to prevent their party from
going to wreck by voting as each man chooses
in that election.
It will be necessary to hold convention or
eancus. and il Gen. Mahone who is beyond
comparison. the ablest party leader in Virginia,
decides to go with the Repu blieans, greatly
strena thened by the abolition of the capitation
If General Malone coalesces with the Demo-