The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-12-01
Communications.
HARRIsoNBURG, VA, Noy. 80, 1881.

HARRIsONBURG, VA, Noy. 30, 1881.
Editors Of Valley Voyinsan:
The smoke of the late bitter political battle
in Virginia has passed away, and left the field
clear to our view. The result, to the friends
of true liberal reform, and equal justice to all
men, is most gratifying. Never was there
more bitter and more unprincipled war than
that waged against both The bodies OF voters,
Readjuster Democrat and Republican, as well
as against many of the prominent leaders OF
both of these bodies of voters. More especial
ly were Capt. Frank S. Blair, one of the most
prominent Readjuster Democratic leaders, and
Hon. John F. Lewis, tile mast pr0nsiaae1at Repub-
ican leader, selected by the INSCRIPTIONS
(some of whom | am very sorry to say were
furnished from the Republican ranks) MS the
peculiar targets for the poisoned arrows Of
abuse and unjustitied SANDER. But thanks
to the better judgment of the solid, real peo-
pie OF Virginia, Democrats and Republicans
there was an antidote found for the poisoned
arrows; and whilst they doubtless wounded the
feelings OF the gentlemen, yet from the crucibG
Of public opinion, uncontaminated by political
prejudice, they and their public and pri-
vate characters, have come, passing the
test, if possible, more firmly established in
purity, and lending a brighter lustre to
the history of our beloved Commonwealth.
Of the two confederated contingents, (Read-
iuster aud Republican, in the late political
contest whilst not detracting from the praise
worthy courage and fidelity of the first, yet
may be permitted to say that more particular
ly is the victory due to the sleepless vigilance,
the untirng energy, and the indomitable cour-
age OF the latter. And among the Republican
contingent, no one contributed more to the
general success than our old and noble leader,
Hon. John F. Lewis. Going into the contest
oil odds accai1a6 bv no oct li,r
nant and sanderous charges both from polltl-
cal associates, and the Bourbon enemy, yet
he fearlessly and consistently pursued the
course he had, even in 1880, in the Congress
ional contest, marked out, as in his judgment
the best to be pursued to enure to the interest
of true Liberalism in Virginia, and the whole
South.
In the event Of the success of the Liberal
cause, nothing seemed to be better settled, by
tacit understanding, than that Hon. John f.
Lewis should be returned to the position
which he honored from 1869 to 1875 that of
Senator of the United States from the State of
Virginia. None can deny that to his valuable
aid and commanding influence in his party,
was prominently due the success which at
tended the contest. Yet now we hear from
many prominent quarters the intelligence
that his claims are to be disregarded and an
other to be selected for that important and
honorable position. We are even informed,
yet | trust without truth, that Gen. Malone,
the great leader of REIMBURSEMENT, ignores his
claims, by stating that he has only heard Of
taoo Observation-Disclosures and Wise. If
the General has SO said, then he must be, both
physically and politically the deafest man on
record. Again we are informed that Gen.
Malone has said that Mr.. Lewis,if candidate
at all, will be the candidate of that Bourbon
ism whose only aim has been to oppose and
defeat him (Mahone). l sincerely trust that
Gen. Malone is prepared to emphaticaly deny
this latter statement, for we know better than
he, that John +. Lewis is the soul of honor,
both personal and political, and would scorn
any overture from the Bourbon party. Again
it is reported, | understand, throughout the
State, that Hon. John F. Lewis is not a candi-
date for the Senate, thus intimating that he
does not desire and would not accept the DO
sition. Nothing, am sure, could be farther
from the truth than this whilst not in the us
ual political sense, candidate, wire-puling
and canvassing for the position, yet there is
nothing OF which he would be prouder, than
to be returned to the position to which he
was entitled in 1876, and of which he was rob
bed by the Bourbon Legislature of that wear
The Republican party of Virginia, think
are IN position to demand Of the next Read
iuster Legislature that they elect Hon. John n
Lewis TO succeed Hon. John w. johnson in the
Senate of the United States The Readiuster
Democrats hnye an honored and able Tepre
sentative in shat body And it is but lust
that the great Republican party of Virginia be
represented there also by the man of their
choice and that man undoubtedly is the Hon.
Jho. f. Lewis 1t is not desirable or desired that