The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-12-22
The United States Senator Elect

The Legislature OF Virginia, on Tuesday.
the 20th, elected Hon. H. H. Riddleberger,
State Senator from Shenandoah and Page,
United States Senator, to succeed Hon J, VS.
Johnston, tor six years after the 4th OF March,
1883 The Democrats voted for Mr.. Johnston,
and one Republican voted for Gen. Wickham.
The election Of Capt. Riddleberger was not
unexpected. Circumstances combined to ia
vor the result, apart from the remarkable ca
pacities he had exhibited and the prominent
part he had played in the rise and progress OF
the party he has been chosen to represent. To
him, as much as to any one man in the Com
monwealth, is due the success of the organi-
cation, which sprang into existence from the
political necessities of the State, and has been,
engineered with consummate skill and tact
until it has become the controlling power in
Virginia. The choice of this gifted young
man is an illustration of the beneficent Char
acter of our institutions and the possibilities
within the reach of the humblest boy in the
Common wealth. Born to poverty, with none
of the adventurous attendants of wealth and
position, be has carved out his own fortune in
the face of the intensest opposition, and
preiudice which fingers as the remnant OF an
effete aristocracy, claiming exclusive privilege
hecause of the services of those who were re-
warded cotemporaneous with their work, and
have passed off the stage OF action, leaving
nothing but their name to represent them. 10
this class the election of Capt. Riddieberger
to the high position of United States Senator
is exceedingly distasteful. Because it was not
his fortune to pass through college course or
enioy the advantages of early mental training
in the higher schools, or point to distinguished
lineage in the walks OF literature, science and
craftsmanship, it is assumed to be refecuon
upon Virginia that he should be chosen to
represent the proud old Commonwealth in the
highest legislative body on the earth More
than once within the past six weeks, have we
heard such sentiments uttered by those who
pride themselves on their ancestry and claim
exclusive privileges because of the achieve
mepts of their fathers. But the great mass Of
the people look upon the honor which has
been conferred upon this remarkable mar
in different light They regard it as lifting
recognition of bis abilities and courage as ex-
hibited in the political excitements and discus
sions which have agitated the people OF Vir
ginia for the past few years, and as represen
tive in its character of the influences which
have entered into the revolution that w
are now called upon to contemplate. 1t means
that the people feel and intend to exercise thei
power and that the days of pretense and shan
are past. We are now under different dis
pensation to that which has prevailed for tn
past decade, with the promise that the inter
ests and wishes of the masses are to be cor
suited. instead of those of the favored few
;. 1t is in short, revolution, imposing grave re
sponsiblities and sacred Duties which wi
: call for courage, determination ard sagacity i
their discharge, and in which is involved tn
:, future destiny of the State.
We are very sure that in the Sc nate OF tt
United States, Capt. Riddleberger will brin
no discredt upon Virginia, and as emergel
cres may arise, will show himself equal
them, as he has done in the past. He has b
fore him bright and distinguished future an
:. that he will reach to it, and meet the expects
u lions of those who will watch his course viii
- the deepest interest, We have no doubt. t
will appear in the Senate as the peer and
Il confront those who so bitterly denounct
= him last Spring when his name was befo
e that body for the position of Sergeant-at-arn
II and in this new relation to the Senate will just
q fly the confidence then placed in him by b
e personal and political friends. The chang
is a marked one and furnishes a striking illu
d tration of the uncert aintiee and surpris
N which attend public life under our form
n government.