The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-10-20
Discredltable Episodes.


the Commonwealth.
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Discredltable Episodes.
We publish several articles this week of a
personal and belligerent cha racter We do
this, not because we desire to countenance or
encourage such literature, but simply as a mat
ter of justice to all the parties concerned Gar
bled ex tracts have been given to the public
and omissions of letters made, which are calcu-
lated, if not designed, to give one-side6 view
of the matters in controversy. To furnish our
readers with an impartial view of the disputes
so that they may be able to correct erroneous
statements, we publish SO much of the numer-
GUS statements as we think W ill give an intel
ligent understanding of the matter
1t is to be regr cited that the canvass has as
sumed such incorporate tone, and that the real
issues betw cen the parties have, for the time
been lost sight of in the whrl of excitement
aroused by recent occurrences. Certainly no
light is thus thrown upon the questions about
which the people feel the most interest, nor is
the personal reputation of the participants, in
any degree, advanced in public esteem.
There is no possible excuse for the use OF
the offensive epthets which have bee SO lib
orally employed within the past few weeks
The language used to convey the personal
feelings of prom inent actors in this political
drama, is beyond the pale of decent recogni
ton, and we have NO doubt those who have
been betrayed into it, have, ere this, regretted
| their want of caution and self-restraint, Sucl
| terms as coward" liar" "scoundrer' and
kindred uncouth expressions, have no warrant
| among gentlemen, whatever the provocation
and to resort to them, either reveals a poverty
of argument and intellect, or vicious dispo
sition, totally Incom patible with the preten
sion to gentle breeding that is assumed. Those
| who use them do not thems elves believe in
their applicability, for We're the characters O.
the persons so designated, such as to justify
them. there would be no possible ground fol
reconciliation, or social rec ogntion between
| the offender and the offended. The mere
| act of standing up and being shot at, does moi
transform mans moral nature, nor invest
him with moral courage and yeracity, if he die
| not possess them before. These coarse an6
WI lgar epithets are publicly aimed against re-
cognized gentlemen, an invitation to the field
follows, shots are exchanged without injury
| and the matters at variance adjusted without
further explanation. 1t seems to us if mans
conduct justifies the application of the appro
brious expressions, liar, scoundel and cow
ard," he 10 not of that standing to warrant one
who does not bear such a character, in placing
himself on an equality with him, and riskng
his life in desperate game of chance. The
fact of doing SO is sufficient condemnation o.
the use of such intern perate language, and ex
poses the absence of that high moral sensibility
which is more to be commended than mere
brute courage.
| The gentlemen who have been recently throw y
| of their bala nee and led into hostile expires.
sions, are recogn lied as such in all the rela-
tions of life, and that they recognize each 9TH
er as such is sufficiently attested by their sub
sequent reconciliation. And all their difficult
ties may be traced to a source. that under OF
binary circumstances. they would eschew as
unworthy of their notice. Had the pretended
exposure of the man Wilson been treated as
his known reputation deserved and that high
self respect observed which characterizes gen.
tlemen in the ordinary walks of life, there
would have been none of the bad blood stirred
up which was manifested in the vicinity OF
Richmond a few days ago. Unfortunately, po-
htlcal contests frequently terminate certain
kind of insanity, and men who are noted for
their amiability, stheir delicate regard for the
feelings of others, and the observance of all
the amenities, of refined society, give way to
ungoyernable passion and plunge into its ex-
cesses without check or restraint, for caus-
es which, in ordinary relations, they would not
have stopped to notice.
Ore thing may be taken for granted that no
party or faction wins to itself the confidence
| OF the people, when it is thus supported The
robust common sense of the rank and file
their level-headed estimate of cause and effect
cannot be affected by such exhibitions CUES
lions of state, duplicating the interests and
rights OF the constituent body, may be discuss
ed to the edifcation OF those directly concern
ed. But when the field of legitimate disputa
ton is abandoned, and appeal is made to the
worst passions of the human heart, the people
turn away from it, and manifest their disap-
probation, either by passive resistance or open
! antagonism,
In long editorial experience, running
through many exciting political campaigns,
it has never been our fortune to witness
one so fruitful bad blood and SO disgusting
in its methods and its manners. The exhibi-
tons we have been compelled to contemplate
reflect severely upon the civilization of our
people, and in all time to come will be pointed
to as casting discredt upon our State.