Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-11-24
BOurbOnfsnl.

10 Virginia 1.-THE rights Of Republi-
cans have been ignored by the Bourbon
Democracy" says ex Senator John F.
Lewis in recent letter to the Editors
OF the Valley Virgrian, the leading re.
publican newspaper in the State, and
republicans everywhere are constantly
writing and talking about the bourbon
democrats" OF Virginia. This Is an age
Of progress say they, aud bourbon
forgets nothing and learns nothing. In
reply, zee say we do most sincerely hope
that the people Of Virginia will never
be called on to learn from bitter ex-
perience N their own state the costs
and curse of republican rule as expert.
enced IN the south, aud we feel sure if
they do Tot forget how virginia's lees
fortunate Southern Sisters were plumber.
ed by republican carpctbaggers and
negroes Immediately after reconstruc-
ton. they will never have the lesson to
learn. Take South Carolina as an ex-
ample. In one session OF her republic
can legislature over eleven hundred
thousand dollars Of pay certificates were
issued, every dollar Of which excepting
some two hundred thousand due the
legislature was stolen. This IS one
among a thousand outrages that we
could name. "A state has no right to
be a state unless she can pay and take
care of her statesmen" said one Leslie
acarpe.bag Senator Of South Carolina,
aud this was the maxim on which re-
publican legislators generally acted not
only IN South Carolina but IN louisiana.
Florida. Mississippi, aud other Southern
States during the dreary days that sue
ceeded their reconstruction. Contrast
tie condition OF all these states under
democratic administrations to-day With
Their condition come years back wneI
republicans had the power, and we defy
any candid, honest man to assert on his
conscience that their people OF all
classes, races, colOrs, and conditions
are not better on now than then. But
we are bourbons. John F. Lewis says
ne are bourbons. and John F. Lewis
knows. for John F. Lewis is boss re.
publican OF the strlciest sect. John +.
Lewis speaks ez catdedra. Don't you
hear his followers, as they catch up the
chalrmaE's refrain, shout bourbon
democrats :" "bourbon democrats 4"
until their very throats crack. Indeed,
lhey must be trying to frighten some
body. For our part we are not bit
ashamed to be classed among "bourbon
democrats" il it be bOurbonism TO be
guided somewhat by the light OF the ex'
pe-:ence OF the past. England's grea.
Statesman Burke said ID one Of bis most
celebrated speeches. ITO Us poor,
weak, incapable mortais there Is no
safe rule Of conduct but experience"
Being poor, ..scsak incapable mortals
ourselves we democrats OF Virginia
would fam not forget the experience Of
the past. We would fam stick 10 the
belief that the only safe rule OF conduct
for the white people Of Virginia consists
in using every proper effort to retain
control of their state government, aud if
possible avert from Virginia the grievous
ealamities which befell her Southern
sisters under the rule OF negroes aided
and abetted By few white men who
landed with them for the sake OF pun
der. We democrats are bourbons then.
Well be it so. We can't help it..
Hurrah for the bourbons!