The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-11-04
How it was Done.

We are not in much of humor for harsh
criticism or bitter complaints this morning.
The overwhelming victory which has attended
the efforts of the Republicans throughout the
country, should satisfy the most enthusiastic
friend of the cause, and inspire the most
friendly feeling for "all the world and the
rest of mankind" But when we think that
if the Republican National Committee had
taken the statements of the member of that
body from Virginia as the grounds Of its be-
lief and action, we would to-day have the cleo
toral strength of General Garfield augmented
by eleven votes from this State, it is not a
pleasant reflection. We endeavored to give
the committee the facts as we understood
them. We protested to have as complete a
knowledge of the political sentiment of Vir-
ginia as any one else, and aimed to make no
statement that would not have been verified,
if the means suggested had been employed
Instead, however, of accepting as substan-
TALLY correct that which the member of the
committee from Virginia laid before that body.
whose duty and right it was to speak for the
Republican party of this Commonwealth, the
impressions of newspaper correspondents, di-
rectly under the influence Of Gen. Malone,
and of the agents of Gen. Malone, were re-
ceived and considered, as it seems from after
events, as more nearly embracing the facts
than what was stated by the committeeman.
We claimed that Virginia could be carried for
Garfield and Arthur, if assistance were given
TO lo sY,1i Of no pOlOrod raOnla tn
pay their poll-tax. We were met by statements
in the newspapers from these correspondents,
and by interviews with Gen. Malone that the
Re-adjusters would poll about $4,000; the
Funders $1,000, and the Republicans not more
than Al, 00O-that at least $500 Republicans
would vote the Read justerss ticket, and that
in no event was it possible for the Republicans
to win the fght-indeed, they were not in it.
The result shows who was right and who was
wrong
One particular feature of the contest is open
to severe criticism-that of sending two utter
strangers to the people of Virginia to manage
the Republican campaign-one of them Mr..
F. A. Burr, SO completely under the influence
of Gen. Malone that every statement he made
and every act he performed was in the inter-
est of the Re-adjusters and against the Repub-
licans. Had the campaign been conducted in
behalf Of the Republicans and for the purpose
of strengthening them in their struggle with
the two Democratic factions and the hostile
legislation these factions had enacted into law
to disfranchise Republicans and deprive them
of their rights the Garfield and Arthur cleo
tors would have been chosen by from 10000
to $1,000 plurality. 1t is believed by those
competent to judge that the manipulations of
Messrs Burr and Loveland lost to the Repub-
lican ticket at least $1,000 votes, and to the
degree that they represented the National
Committee is that body responsible for this
great outrage upon the Republican party of
the State.
Our relations to that committee are such as
to make it indicate here to resent as it should
be the affront they offered to the Republicans
of the State in their action. Speaking not for
the member, but in the name of the Republican
party of Virginia, we take the occasion to en-
ter solemn protest against the unparalleled
dCtiOu dc duOtc luuICdteQ. 1u6b6 agents QlQ
not consult with the representatives of the
Virginia Republicans, nor seek their advice
They had their scheme. it would appear, as
Gen. Malone had devised it, and they were
here to further his cause, and not that of the
Republican party. But one prominent Re-
public an that we have heard of was so lost to
self-respect as to cooperate with them. His
effort inspired both disgust and pity--disgust
1t bis presumption and pity for his weakness
and trepidation. The Republicans wereleff to
fight this double treachery, as supplement to
inc contest with the two Democratic factions. |
Ii we hare lost the State, it will be justly |
TO the ,eauses above referred to- and |
pot to the Republican organization of Virgin
have been. We have made gallant and stub
aoFn struggle against all these ODDS, and dem
'trated Republican devotion and pluck under
he most Encouraging circumstance which
'ver hedged about party in. q great national
contest.