The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-07-14
"a Republican 3

We publish in another column commune
cation signed "a Republican" written by a
gentleman who has endured much because of
his convictions and gone through prosecutions
which have fallen to the lot of few men in Vir-
ginia or elsewhere. He has right to speak
to the Republicans Of Virginia, and we afford
him the opportunity, while dissenting from
the manner in which he has chosen to address
himself to the public. More particularly do
we regret the harsh and unjust criticism of the
Hon. J. +. Lewis We state what we know,
when we say that there is gross misapprehen-
sion resting upon the public mind in reference
to the prominent feature of the remarks di-
rected to that gentleman, and if for no other
reason, we would have published the commu-
nication to afford us the opportunity to place
Mr.. Lewis right before the people. We regret
very much Mr. Lewis attitude in this canvass.
and believe that be himself will live to regret
it. At the same TIME we do not question
mote the interests of the Republican party
however mistaken he may be, in our Judgment,
in the methods he has chosen to adopt to ac-
complsh that end.
The charge that Mr. Lewis has been instru-
| mental in procuring office for his kindred and
family is not true. We know the fact that
when his son was appointed Internal Revenue
Assessor for one of the districts of the south
west, years ago, it was against his fathers
wishes, and in the face of his earnest protest.
because he was anxious for him to confne him
self to the practice Of his profession-the law.
| We know the fact that Hon. j. F. Lewis had
verv little, if anything to do with the appoint
ment of his brother, l.. L. Lewis, Esq, District
Attorney for the Eastern District Of Virginia.
Mr. L. l.. Lewis was not an applicant for the
position until Republicans from every portion
of the State forced him to apply for it. He
protested against it, and even when his objec-
tions were overcome, it was with the greatest
reluctance that he did conform to the forms of
| an application. We know the fact that Mr..
| B. B. Bolts, the collector of lnternal Revenue
for the 9th District, and Mr.. Lewis brother
in-law was appointed more in respect TO the SER
vices in the Union cause of his distinguished IA
ther, Hon. Jno. Minor Bolts, than any thing
else, although Mr. Bolts had personal record
that entitled him to the recognition of repub-
| lican administration. He has been retained in
office because of the eminent efficiency and in
tegrity with which he has discharged the du-
ties of the position, and his devotion to the
Republican party. We know the fact that Mr..
Lew is, himself, was appointed as Marshal at
the urgent and pressing solicitation of many Of
the best Republicans in the State, and that his
formal application for it was the result of the
repeated and persistent opportunities OF his
party friends. All of these officers have faith
fully and efficiently discharged their duties to
the government, and upon that account there
can be no ju st complaint
These are facts within our own knowledge,
and we state them as matter OF justice to MI
Lewis, and to remove prevailing misappre=
hension in the public mind.
| While we differ with Mr.. Lewis widely, in
his views of State policy and the duty of Re-
publicans in the present political emergency in
Virginia, we yet deem it but just that he
should be fairly represented Personally, we
have the highest esteem for him, nor do we
question his good intentions toward the Re
publican party. But We think he has commit
ted a serious blunder in the action he has taken
in this canvass, and that it is well calculated to
work great harm to the Republicans of Virginia
and the South.
| 1t is better to discuss the issues of the can
vass upon their merits, and leave out of con-
sideration mere personal matters and personal
politics. We are sure very few men are lnflu-
enced by a reference to them and certainly
they do not elevate the disputations to that
plane which should obtain i'll a contest be-
| tween conflicting policies