The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-04-21
Unmanly Assaults.

The persistent assaults upon and denuncia-
ton of Gen. Malone by Democratic Senators
are not weakening him in Virginia. Bis
former friends stand as firm as steel to him
and many other Democrats who did not act
with the Re-adjusters in the November cleo
ton, may now be numbered with his sup
porters. His case is a prominent and sig
nificant illustration of the inveterate pro-
scriptive spirit which too frequently. if not
invariably pursues every one of influence,
Who denies the right of the party caucus to
control his Judgment and his conscience
in matters affecting the general welfare
Having been elected in opposition to the
regular Democratic nominee, and owing
neither the Democratic nor Republican par
ty allegiance. he has simply exercised the
right which belongs to him of voting to
suit himself And because he does not re-
coghize political perfection in those who
had denounced and stigmatized him as everv
thing that was corrupt in politics, he is
singled out for the assaults of every Bour-
bon Senator-his motives impugned, his
personal integrity assailed and his political
action challenged as corrupt and debas-
ing-barring him from the recognition of
respectable men. He has done only that
which every freemen has right to do, AM
which it his duty to dO-cast his vote to re-
fleet policy which he believes will work
benefit for his State and country But he
has, in doing so. defied the caucus, scorned
the party shibboleth, and erected for his own
guidance standard of public policy, which
conforms to his views of representative duty,
and for this, this flood of defamation and in
vective is poured out against him.
We might point out many things in Gen.
Mahope's political record that we do not
approve, and further affirm that we do not
believe it is his purpose to ever be identi-
fled with the Republican party. This does
not, however, interdict a fair consideration
of his course in the Senate and the conces-
sion to him of motives and aims infinitely
more patriotic and honorable than those
which govern in the bitter TRADES which.
have been hurled against MIN. Senator
David Davis, elected by the votes of both
ing pronounced Republican constituency,
can with impunity vote with the Democrats
on party questions, and yet not a harsh
word or unkind criticism is uttered
against him by Republicans. His rights are
conceded and respected, and no one has, as
yet, assaled his motives in the course he
has chosen to pursue. But even Def re
Gen. Malone had cast vote or given ut
terance to a word in the Senate Chamber,
he was arraigned as traitor, denounced as
bribe-taker, and covered all over with the
foulest abuse and defamation.
The great injustice of this he artless and
cowardly warfare upon and conspiracy
against the junior Senator from Virginia
must invoke the condemnation of all Just
men and draw to him the support of many
who do not believe in some of his ways or sub
scribe to the methods which he has adopted
to carry out his plans. 1t is ungenerous and
unmanly to assail him as he has been as
sailed. and the effect will ejust the reverse
in Virginia to that which was designed.
1t was the agreed purpose to either force
him from the position he has assumed or
crush him. The purpose was to make his
attitude of independence an example that
would find few followers in the Southern
st ates, and to arrest at the outset a revolt
aga inst Bourbon rule in the South But it
will fail, for the people sympathize with the
movement to break the intolerant rule of
party despotism and liberalize public
thought so that every man may declare
| and vote his sentiments without the fear of
| the machine before his eyes.