The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-11-20
Let the Republicans be on their Guard.

s'device as illegal in spirit as oppressive in
practice and part of series of meas
ures originally designed to restrict suffrage
to certain classes of citizens and exclude
others from the ballot" 1t is pronounced
by that paper, as wrong in principle, for
If money value may be attached to suf-
frage, there is no limit to the application,
and by such evasive and yet absolute meth
DDS, the larger proportion of the popula-
ton might be disfranchised." Continuing,
the Wing says, ''the Constitutional amend
ment ought never to have been adopted,
and would not have been except that,
wrapped up in batch of measures, some
of which are salutary, the thing was not
discussed by the press or on the hastings
and the people voted for it ignorantly,''
The VIRGINIAN did discuss it and pointed
out very clearly its unconstitutional char
acter, demonstrating by reference to Con-
gressional enactments and Constitutional
command, that the people of Virginia had
no right to adopt such a restriction upon
the right of suffrage. The Wing and 9TH
er papers rejecting the purpose of the Con-
sentative caucus which determined upon
this act of bad faith, did not discuss it, for
the reason they aoanted to keep the people
IN ignorance oft. 1t was understood all
over the State, and there was strong dis
position to vote against the entire batch of
amendments, but the Executive Committee
of the, Conservative party had struck off
Autograph tickets, and sent them to every
County Superintendent of that party, COM
handing the support of the amendments as
a party measure. Neither the Wing nor
Gen. Malone was ignorant of the purport OF
the amendment. 1t was the creation OF eau
Gus determination, designed to diminish
the colored vote, and this purpose and ell
feet were known by the management OF the
party. 1t was part Of the tactics OF the
Conservative caucus not to discuss the
amendments for the reason, as announced
in the Dispatch at the time, if we remem-
Der correctly, it would disturb the mar
monv of the ''great Conservative party.
The people were designedly kept in igno-
rance of the purport of the amendments,
but the leaders of that party were not lg-
norant. They violated the solemn pledge
of the State as recorded in the terms OF
admission to representation in Congress,
in deliberate legislation to disfranchise the
poorer classes of the colored people, for the
intent of the whole scheme was to circum-
vent the amendments to the National Con-
stitution, although in striking at the negro
vote they necessarily had to strike down
the manhood rights of the poorer classes OF
white citizens.
1t is very singular that the Wing, just at
this particular time, when it Is important
to its purpose to win over the colored Re-
publican members of the Legislature,
should discover the great wrong this con-
stitutional restriction inflicts, and clamor
for its repeal. Election after election has
taken place since the outrage was perpetrat-
ed. The effects have been known and read
of all men in the State, and endorsed and
appla uded by the entire press and speakers
of the Conservative party, because they en-
trenched that party in power, and dimin-
ished the strength of its political oppo-
nents.
There is therefore no very striking vir-
tue in this new found zeal of the Wing to
right the wrong, and restore to the colored
people the rights guaranteed to them by
the Constitution of the country, but wrest-
ed from them by arbitrary aud unconstitu-
tional methods. The time, and the circum-
stances surrounding, rob the proposition OF
disinterested motive, land giveit the coloring
of a device to further partizan ends, as
much Invested of concern for the welfare
of the colored people, and the good OF the
State, as that which controlled when the
amendment was made a partizan measure
and became part of the cardinal law OF
the Commonwealth in obedience to the
command of the Conservative caucus. But
for the altered relations of parties in the
Legislature, it is doubtful whether ever
such suggestion would have emanated
from any member of the party that was in
strumental in enacting the obnoxious and
illegal legislation. The commanding pow
er of the Republican members, as between
the warning factions of the party which
perpetrated the wrong, may have had much
more to do with this awakening to sense
of right and justice, than any persuasion
growing out of a penitent ial conviction
because of the injustice inflicted.
Be this as it may, there is one thing very
clear: The Republicans of the Legislature
can better inaugurate measures of reform
and attain the ends of justice by organic
ing into distinct party, solidifying their
power, and holding it in readiness for et-
fective work, whenever the opportunity
presents itself. They can gain nothing by
losing their identity in fusion with either
wing of the Conservative party. A distinct
and solid oneness, an organization COM
pact, harmonious and determined, will
command the situation, and compel such
concessions as may be asked in reason and
fairness. In such a position, controlled by
sense of impartial justice, asking for moth
ing that is not right, and seeking no mere
partizan advantage nor prostituting their
power to selfish devices, infinitely more may
be effected than by any coalition with
either of the opposing factions.
We earnestly appeal to the Republican
members to calmly examine the situation,
weigh well the advantages they, to all ap-
pearance, possess, and inspired by purpose
| to makea record of true, genuine conserva-
tism, determine to act as unit on all i'm
portant questions and thus force recog-
milton of their claims to a full and just
consideration and determination by the
body of which they are members. Vigi-
lance, prudence and separate organization
should direct their course.
The Wing of the 18th closes long and
splendidly written editorial-incisive, de-
faint, aggressive and warlike-with the fol-
lowing sentences; ''Outside of the De BIT
question and the issues already involved in
and related to 1.-THE salvation of the
schools, the emancipation Of the people,
the freedom of suffrage, the fair and equal
administration of the laws-they have but