The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-11-04
The Canvass just Closed.

III AOfiOW, uuu biiAL 10 tllat tlity nave CoHuuGi-
ed the canvass decently, and INDUCED in no
personal misrepresentation or ISLANDERS. From
the opening OF the contest, the determination
was announced by the authorities ofthe party,
that so far as they were concerned no depart
ure from an elevated sense Of respect for the
popular judgment would be tolerated, and that
an earnest desire to instruct and not debauch
the popular mind, should be observed. To this
rule the great majority of the Republican
speakers and writers have adhered They have
discussed the questions at issue between the
two parties fairly and inteligently, appealed
to facts and the calm reason of the constituent
body, and have endeavored to impress the JUS
tice of their cause by legitimate arguments and
instructive comparisons. That such methods
have been appreciated by the people and had
favorable effect we have ample testimony
All fair minded men admitted the eminent
ability of the Republican nominee, his thor
ough acquaintance with the science of govern
ment, the theory of our institutions, and the
wants Of the country. 1t only remained for
the endorsement Of the party's creed and pur-
pose to discuss the policies and principles at
issue as they affect the material welfare of the
country and good government, for an affirma-
tive verdict to be given when the final decision
was reached.
Such has not been the policy or the practice
of our opponents. They realized at the outset
the disadvantages under which they labored
The beneficent results which have attended the
administration of the Republican party, the
wisdom and healthy condition of our financial
system, the revival under its operation of the
industrial pursuits OF the nation; the high cred
it of the government assured, and the marvel
GUS prosperity which blesses the country COM
bine to rob the Democratic party of all egiti-
mate arguments and plausible reasons for a
Change" These facts that party was COM
PEELED to recognize, which they did in the NOM
nation of a union soldier, who had no civil
record, but whose military character and
services entitled him to the respect of all class
es of citizens. 1t was hoped by this, to draw
attention from the record which that party has
made, not only since it came into the control of
the legislative branch of the government, but
before its madness and folly precipitated civil
war upon the country, and then by an aggres-
sive campaign of SANDER and falsehood to place
the Republicans upon the defensive. The
weakness of the American people that mani
tests itself in undue admiration for distinguish
cd military men was presumed upon, and it
was expected that an enthusiasm would be in
spired, which would sweep over the nation,
subordinating all consideration for the admin
istrative principles which separated the two
parties This, to be supplemented by the most
vicious assaults upon the personal character
and integrity of the Republican candidate,
without regard to truth or decency, it was be-
lieved would wait the Democratic party into
power. But the Democracy presumed too
much upon the ignorance and stupidity of the
people The school house had been too busy
with its work since the last Democratic adj
ministration was placed in power-the intelli-
gence of the constituent body was of too high
an order-familiarity with the methods of
government and the agencies employed to
bring about the prosperity which everywhere
prevails, was too pronounced for the necessity
of a radical change in the policies of the gov
eminent to be admitted Had the issues been
confined to the slums OF New York and the
shot gun ruled sections of the South, the calcu-
lations of our opponents would have been bet
ter founded and the prospects of success more
assured But the educated thought and bust
ness intelligence of the nation were too deeply
interested in the result to allow of apathy and
Indifference and consequently Democratic
| shams, receptions and ISLANDERS were not as eff
fective as the corrupt and unprincipled mana
gers of Hancock's campaign expected.
We particularly call the attention of the in
telligent, well meaning and conservative people
of Augusta county and the Valley to the char
acter of the campaign as conducted by the
Democratic speakers and newspapers. There
is not a cross roads in the county or in the
Valley where the citizens are not familiar with
the bitter denunciation and filthy ISLANDERS di-
rected against the Republican candidate, and
where it is not known that not solid
| argument or legitimate reason was advanced
why tho whole policy of the government
should be subjected to q change and the
business of the country disturbed by reason of
such change. They have been surfeited to dis
gust with the gable of the foul mouthed
store-box politicians, sent out by the party
clubs, with not one fair argument or logic
al reason left for the people to think over.
The newspapers have repeated the stale slam
ders, concoctcd and circulated to deceive the
voters, and refused to publish the refutations,
or endeavor to remove any false impression
which might have been left. No manlness or
magnanimity; no appreciation of the truth, of
fairness or justice but reckless desire to pois-
en- the public mind, and accomplish their ends
regardless of every consideration which should
control the press, have instigated and directed
the party publications, with scarcely an excep-
ton.
These methods must sooner or later have
their legitimate effects, and when the public
mind has reached calm, they will be made
known by an indignant and scornful protest
from every good citizen who desires the truth
for truths sake, fairness for fairness sake and
good government as the end Of all party asso-
citation and endeavor.
Capt. w. 8. Lurty, one Of the Republi-
can canvassers at large, made fourteffective
speeches in Southwest Virginia last week
one at Abingdon, one at Big Lick, one at
Liberty, and one at another point we do
not now remember. We learn that he had
splendid audiences, respectful hearing, with
good results. What is wanting in Virginia
is the discussion OF the issues between the
two parties, the exposure of the weak
nesses Of the Democracy. and the beneticent
results which have followed the operation
of Republican policies. With an intelligent
understanding of these. Republicanism in
Virginia would grow into larger proper
lions and be respected. No more popular
speaker than Capt. Lurty is to be found in
Virginia, and just such men must we de-
pend upon to present the Republican cause
in its true light.