The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-11-04
To Hon. j. F. Lewis and Gen. w. G.
Wickham.

To Hon. J. F. Lewis and Gen. w. @.
Wickham
AS the official representatives of the Re.
publican party OF Virginia, the first named |
gentleman in the capacity of Chairman OF
the State Central Comm ittee, and the lat
ter as Chairman of the State Executive
Committee, we make an appeal. We ask
YOU, in the name of the Republicans OF
Virginia, who have been the footballs and
playthings of both the Democratic factions,
that you will call your respective commit
tees together, for the purpose, in joint SEES
sion, of considering what is best to be done
in the present political complications in this
State. We regard it as essentially impor-
tant that an address should be issued. i'm
pressing upon every member of the party
the imperative duty of thorough organiza-
ton, perfect harmony, and an aggressive
purpose. We cannot afford to allow the
State debt question to divide US in the cam
paign of 1881. One of you, Mr.. Lewis, is
what is known in the current nominalism
of the day, as Re-adjuster; the other.
Gen. Wickham, as a Funder. The time
has come when differences upon this ques-
ton should not sepal ate Republicans. We
to that. By subordinating your views upon
this question to the higher and more impor-
tant interest of the rights of the Republi-
cans of Virginia, and by your united ac-
ton. you may be instrumental in not only
adjusting the State debt question, finally
aud Justly, but in restoring to the people
the rights which the Constitution guarantees
and of which they have been robbed. Your
constituents ask for nothing but what is
theirs by the laws of the land. They claim
nothing but what humanity and justice
concede Rising above the mere com mer-
cial view of politics, and reaching into an
atmosphere of patriotism and justice, an
Virginia. which will not only bring them
into compact organization. but draw to it
lovers of justice and right from both of the
warning Democratic factions. You are both
natives of Virginia, of historic families,
sensitive of the honor of your State, and
devoted to her welfare. An address from
you, at this time, would not only inspire
the confidence of all Republicans, but COM
mand the, support and endorsement OF
many who have never acted with your Or
ganization. Let all past differences be for
gotten, in the one supreme thought OF do
ing justice to your fellow-men, as the G N
stitution of your country prescribes, and
the instincts of humanity command. The
canvass through which we have just passed
demonstrates that we may expect nothing
from the Funder or Re-adjuster faction as
Republicans We will have to disband our
organization, surrender our national iden-
tity, of which every Republican does and
should feel proud, and become merged and
lost. politically. either in one faction or the
other. unless we at once take steps to pre-
serve our political oneness. The Republi-
cans of Virginia, smarting under the re-
cent treachery attempted at Richmond. by
one faction, and the bitter denunci alton
and SANDER they have had to confront from
the other, are ripe for movement looking
to the maintenance of their self respect,
the vindication of their rights and the en-
forcement of the demands of justice.
A grave responsibility rests upon the
gentlemen above named, as the represen-
tative menof the Republicans of Virginia,
and we confidently appeal to them to at
once inaugurate a movement which will
make the Republicans of Virginia not only
respected but feared, in the vital contest
which will be upon us during the COM
ing year.
We should be glad to receive the opinion
of leading Republicans from every portion
of the State upon the suggestion made, and
whether they agree with the views which
press upon us or not we shall cheerfully pub
lish what they may have to say
No time should be lost. for the ef-
fort will be made to demoralize our
forces by deceptive promises and liberal as
surances. We can expect the realization
of no good results, unless we are in posi-
ton to demand them, and enforce the de-
mand by the united voice of one hundred
and thirty thousand Republicans.
The Result.
The result of the election on the ID OF
November does not surprise us. We have