National Republican., 1881-08-15
The Virginia Canvass.

Although propheciesare hardly in order
yet, when Colonel Cameron and Major
Daniel, the candidates for Governor, have
had but one meeting, their second meet
ing occurring at Harrisonburg to-day
it is not too early to gauge the obvious
setting of the popular current steadily in
favor of the Liberal movement. Major
Daniels nomination was a good one, in
the sense that it did not leave to the Re-
adjusters monopoly of the advantage of
youth and dash which was abundantly
supplied by the splendid nomination Of
Colonel Cameron. Yet it is already OBJ
vious that the enthusiasm over Daniel
was much like that gentlemans sopho-
noric eloquence-vapid, showery, tran
sient, and unsubstantial. 1t has already
exhausted itself, and it is doubtful
whether second supply can be easily
manufactured.
A great tactical advantage was secured
by the Liberals in beginning their can
vass as soon after their nominations had
been made as was practical. In this was
seen the admirable judgment as a politi-
cal manager of Senator Malone For
thirty days, almost unopposed. Colonel
Cameron has travelled through the popu-
lous white counties in that portion Of Vir-
ginia known rs Little Tennessee, famous
for its lively Democratic maiorities in old
time political struggles. Not only has
he held the ground almost undisputed,
but he has discounted the Bourbon CAM
paign in advance by warning the people
of the dishonest treatment of the great
practical questions that now ought to oc-
cupy the Nirgi nian mind to the utter ex-
clusion of the sickly and nawkIsh senti-
mentalism upon which its Bourbon
leaders seek to feed il, Cameron has wisely
told the people that instead of address
ing the public mind ina vein TO enlighten
itupon thegreat vital questions Of the pub
lie debt and how best toget rid Of it hon
orably and easily, the Bourbons will again
beg the people not TO consider that matter
now, but once more 10 rally TO save
society and civilization" from the poor,
timid, helpless, shrinking negroes, who are
in a minority of sixty odd thousand votes
in the State and also in minority in
seventy of the ninety-nine counties. That
will surely he the style of oratory of the
Bourbon speakers, notably so of MAJOR
Daniel. The truth is that he cannot
speak in any other fashion. His speech
in Washington last summer was a speci-
men of his oratory at its best or worst as
the taste of the hearer may prefer. He
has no acquaintance with questions Of
practical politics, ana has no stock in
trade but that tropical and pyrotechnic
oratory to which the South has long lis
tened with 80 little Of profit or real lnior.
nation for herself.
Such oratory as Major Daniels cannot
fail to suffer by the sharp contrast with
the clear and cOgent logic with which
Colonel Cameron treats the question IN,
Volved in the Virginia contest Day
by day the "napdoodle" appeals of Aajoi
Daniel and Captain Mckinney tforhe, too
is represented TO be tropical orator
will grow more and more tedious 10 thu
people, Just as gingerbread finally pail
upon child's taste, and they will b,
found easily persuaded by The logic anC
facts Of men like Malone, Cameron, anC
Riddlcberger, who seek to interest then
in questions Of practical concern and Il
emancipate them from their long anc
unnatural vassalage to tawdry eloQuenc'
worthy only of a college debating society
II is difficult now 10 imagine any re
verse likely to happen to clieck the Lib
eral movement in Virginia, The struggle
will last for nearly three months longer
and there is now every augury of a con
tinued and healthy growth Of Libera
sentiment. All the Liberal leaders ar
sanguine Of success Their canvass i
fnll Of snap and dash, while the Bourbon
loiter along in canvas lump and tam
with the manner Of men conscious 0
impending and for9doomvd disaster,