The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-11-18
Virginia Republicans.

w
vance few weeks ago as to the policy of
the Republican party in the contest OF next
year. The primary and controlling thought
with us was and is to organize, and keep
the organization in good fighting tfim.-
There are many reasons for this to which
we did not then advert. but to which it may
not be out Of place to refer now. In the
first place there are not less than from
10000 to 80, 1000 colored men who have nev-
er been assessed for capitation tax. We
make this statement upon comparative
hypothesis, carrying the calculation to all OF
the State from local premise. The asses
sors' books, aggregated In the Auditors
office, will demonstrate this assumption,
when compared with the Census Enumera-
tors returns. This is very important
matter and cannot be handled and the de-
linquency corrected, unless the work be
commenced in time say the first Of March
next. after the assessments are completed.
The returns may not show the absence of as
many then as now, but judging from the
past. there will be large number who will
not be reached by the assessors. Thorough
local organization could be used to bring
every adult male to the assessors books,
and thence TO the Registrar. which would
qualify them as voters, after the poll fax was
paid.
This accomplished, the no less important
work would have to be undertaken to pay
the pOll-tax to make full-fledged voter.
This must be taken in time, so as to educate
every one assessed and registered that unless
he meets this demand he cannot vote. A
very large number of voters were lost to
the Republican ticket by the failure to be
assessed. although some of this class had
registered and paid the poll-tax. The de-
cision of the Attorney General was to the
effect that assessment, registration and poll
tax payment were essential and the omis-
sion of either worked forfeiture of the vot-
ing privilege.
Our purpose in urging organization is to
remove all impediments to the ballot. and
fully qualify each person for the exercise of
this high duty. TO bring about harmony
and unity ofpurpose, it is essential that the
calculation for the time being. The first
important step is Organizat ion, then assess
ment and then registration. When our
political opponents have fully developed
their line of policy upon the debt issue it
will be time enough for us to take position
If they should fail to measure up to the
demands of justice, not only to the
creditors but to the State, then it will
become our duty to boldly announce our
purpose, and with our full strength I'M
der discipline. enter the contest rs a
separate organization, with complete
State ticket.
We are anxious to see this State debt
question settled finally and honorably. We
believe it is essential to the prosperity of
Virginia that it should be. and if the two
wings of the Democratic party are simply
going to struggle for supremacy, with ref
erence to the offices of this State, and the
control of its patronage. the time will have
arrived for the Republican party, fully
equipped and organized. to go before the
country to vindicate not only the honor OF
the Commonwealth, but the rights of the
creditors.
There is no necessity for us to proceed
rapidly or hastily in defining our views upon
this subject. There are other interests
which are even higher than this. Among
them is the capitation tax restriction, which
is not only unconstitutional. but in our ap-
prehension, in violation of the spirit and
very genius Of our institutions. 1t degrades
the ballot, pollutes the fountain source of
government, and svitiates the agency which
gives expression to the popular will. We
will support no man nor party which does
declare unequivocally for the repeal of this
harsh, unrepublican provision of the State
Constitution. There are, too, notifications
of our criminal laws that should demand
attention. The whipping-post should be
abolished. 1t is relict of barbarism. inhu-
man, brutal and unchristian, fixing a stig-
ma of perpetual disgrace upon innocent
children, and handing them down with an
infamous brand upon them, for no fault of
theirs.
1t was not, however. our purpose to dis
cuss the various questions which will be
thrust before the people in the contest of
1881 We simply desire to say that it is
absolutely necessary for the Republican
party to preserve IFS organization, perfect
it, and be in readiness to meet the respon-
sibilities which rest upon it, when the time
comes for action. We shall seek to gain no
partizan triumph. II the ends of justice
and right to the people of Virginia, white
and black, and to the creditors of Virginia,
can be better secured by cooperating with
one of the Democratic factions, than by
distinct and separate action. then it may be
the policy of our party 20 throw its strength
in that direction. We want results, and
we want the position that will enable US to
force results. We do not propose to give
positive strength for sepcious promises. We
must be so guarded in the rights we de-
mand that we shall be situated to enforce
justice. And if such cannot be assure
without separate action, then it will be our
duty to make the fight as Republicans. pure
and simple.
We assert here what we are satisfied time
will demonstrate. that if the Republicans of
Virginia will organize thoroughly and work
as earnestly as they did for two weeks before
the Presidential election, they can poll
from 10000 to 10000 votes in November,
1881. We have the material to do it with,
if the means are used to bring it out. No
people ever had dearer interests involved to
stimulate them to action, to endurance and
sacrifice than the Republicans of Virginia.
They are struggling for justice, for man.
hood rights, for civilization itself, and if
every man does not come up to the work and
do his full duty, he will deserve to be
slave to the wicked partizanism which has
worked to his great injury, if not degrade
ton.
Past experiences and present indications
satisfy us that the Democratic party of Vir-