The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-01-20
Information Given.


securing 1t. AS the Republican Senators have as
yet expressed no preference for anybody for that
place In the event OF 1t being able to control the
Senate it would seem rather premature for any one
TO go in quest of single vote. But as am not to
blame for the foolish assumption that Senator Ma
homes vote Is alone required to restore me TO the
position named, so am excusable for Kidding my
self, for ALL of these annoying personal refer
therefore volunteer the following information to
all whom 1t may concern
1. Although am we'll acquainted with Gen. Ma
hone, and am personally his friend, have never
conversed correspOnded with him In reference to
the offices of the Senate in general of the ONCE OF
Secretary of the senate In particular. have not,
directly, Indirectly, in person or BY Others
sought or ELECTED any expression from him as how
named or any other, and do not know what his
course will be in that regard. 1 shall not at any
time hereafter solicit his vote that of any other
Senator for any office. l never have at any time
solicited Senator's vote for myself for election to
or retention In Office, although served nearly elev-
en- years as Secretary Of the Senate, during which
time two hundred Senators, less one had seats In
II. It is also publicly stated wish to be elected
Secretary Of the Senate by Gen. Mahone's vote, al
though her offices and the committees may re-
main unchanged. To this reply that should
consider myself unfaithrui to the party to which
belong were willing to accept office under such
circumstances.
In conclusion wish to say that am simply en-
deavoring to convince the Republicans who will lis
ten to that, II Independentism Is thirty two
thousand stronger in Virginia than Is Republican
ism, and equally os reIiabts for az natrtotic Dnr-
bons to be aided by hopeless three-cornered fight
this year in State contest If my views should be
adopted 1t might enlarge the antiBourbon party in
Virginia, the Inconvenience of those who In 1t
only the crumbs OF Federal patronage and one or
two congressional districts but 1t would insure the
colored people against being remanded the poit-
ical slavery from which Gen. Malone and his sup
porters have emancpated them. Those who prefer
small party will OF course cry loudly for the par
ty name but in my opinion the time has come
when the The South should go into the hands of all
who have proven themselves Jealous in maintenance
he N
citizens. GEO. G. GoRHAM.
The above card is Published in the Wash
ington Republican Of the 14th. and so far
as the Republicans of Virginia are con-
cerned, itmight have passed entirely with
out public notice, were it not for All evident
reflection upon those who have stood in the
front In the uneven political contests in this
State. Col. Gorham conld very appro-
priately have stated his case and his rela-
ton to the Democratic arraignment OF the
motives which had directed his references to
Virginia politics. and there permitted it to
rest. 1t is trne it is rather anomalous that
a gentleman living outside of Virginia
having no interest in the State Ms citizen
or of business character. should assume
to take control and shape the conduct OF a
party in the State, in State matters; but
even this would have been overlooked. in
as much as it woull haveh III very little effect
upon those whose guardianship had thus
been so generously usnrped. But when he
directly assals not only the fidelity of the
Republicans OF Virginia to the principles OF
their party. but attributes to them purely
mercenary motives. silence would imply d
Justification of the charge and invite still
further unfriendly criticism.
eff my view should be adopted, says the
card. lit might enlarge the anti-Rourbon
party in Virginia, to the Inconvenience Of
those acho see IN 1t only the crumbs Of Federal
patronage ana one or taao Congressional Dis
tricts; but it would insure the colored peo-
Pile against being remanded to the political
slavery from which General Malone and his
supporters have emancipated them"
Here is an imputation that the motive
which governs the identity OF the white Re-
pnblicans of Virginia with the Repu lican
party is simply the ''crumbs OF Federal pa
tronage," because they will.not aban of that
party and us principles. eand consent that
1000 Republicans shall be absorbed by
81, 900 Democratic Readjisiers. To ordi-
nary minds it would seem more natural,
that if the principles and policy OF the
81, 900 are what tho 81 900 wish to carry
out. the most effective way to do so would
be for the lesser to join the greater. espe-
cialy as the greater is the representative
OF the IDEAS to which it Is sought to give
practical enforcen ,nt. The Republicans
of Virginia have endured most too much
! and been subjected to most too n,al.y trials
to admit the rcasonableness of any such a
proposition. While Col. Gorham would
scorn to receive benefit from the vote of one
Re-a,ljuster Democrat in the United States
| Republican sympathy, NJ would advise the
entire Republican party of Virginia to
abandon its organization. its principles and
its identity with the Republicans of the ma
who have eyer opposed them might be graft
fed,
The Republicans Of Virginia have pride
ofopinion aud are influen ed by convictions
to AS great extent as Col. Gorham dare
claim, Those OF them who receive the
''crunbs of Federal patronage" are as able
to do without them. and a. capable of taking
care OF themselves as he ia. For there is not
anywhere in the service OF the Govern
ment more efficient and conscientious
corps of officers; aud IA the offices have to
be filled.we can see no improperly in those
who have proved their devotion TO Repub-
lican principles and stood in the front in
defending the rights and interests Of the
c,lored people, filling them. Certain
ly there is as much appostenes> in this.
as in placing in possession of these Fed
eral crumbs" those who have never had any
sympathy or identity with the party which
has the disposal Of them. Col. Gorllam adj
mits that he held an honorable and lucrative
office for eleven consecutive years, and i'm
plies a consent to accept the same position
for four years longer, it his purity can be-
S1o" its w U diS Sho'HaoiC Vb'tSH " ~
lieve that it is not for this that he is Re-
publican, but because of his belief in Re-
publican principles and policy, and that the
office was given him for the reason Of his
fitness 10 discharge its dmies.
1t is.palpably INCONSISTENCY for Col. Cor
ham to resent the imputation that he is an
expectant of favor of Gen. Malone as a
United States Senator, and in the same
breath accuse Republicans in Virginia OF
mercenary motives, who have gone through
prosecutions and ostracisms in attestation of
their convictions. to which he is stranger.
The two members of Congress to which he
so sneeringly alludes have proven their Re-
publIcanism as almost with fire, and can ap-
peal to a record so. nearly martyrdon that it
would put to the blush the experience of
those who have tloated with the current or
posed as attendants at political revival
meetings, where the intelligence and
moral worth of the community were sympa-
thetic.
Whether it be 'smonnmental' blunder
or not, the Republicans of Virginia intend
to maintain their organization. their self