The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-10-27
Letter from DR.. Jorgenson.

PETERSBURG, VA, October 18th, 1881.
To the Republicans of the Fourth Congressional
District Of Virginia.
Until the adjournment of the Republican Conven-
ton at Lynchburg in August, earnestly and con-
scentiously opposed coalition between Republicans
and Readiusters on the terms proposed by the lat
ter; and since the Convention, there being no Re-
publican ticket in the Held, have taken no part on
either side OF what deemed to be purely factionaf
contest between Democrats, involving principle
but being merely a fight for the spoils. such being
my opinion and convictions, / could not conceive
any reason why should be called upon to take
part, seeing nothing that would benefit the Repub
ca Party in the success of either Up to this time
the State debt question has been but abstraction,
and not the real issue in the canvass which has
been for the maintenance of Democratic power and
ascendency. The truth OF this assertion cannot be
better or more apt,y illustrated than by quoting
from the leading and ablest Democratic journal,
not only in this State but of the South refer to
the Rchmend Dispatch, which, in its issue of April
%, contains an editorial, OF which the following is
an extract: $50 far as preferring Republcanism to
Readjustnent the regular Democrats are willing to
readjust the debt on almost any terms that will
save the State from Republicans &C., &c. Also
from leading editorial from the same newspaper
of later date Gull the following: ssrhe debt the
State debit may go to Guinea These emphatic
disclaimers, coming from the organ Of the Democ-
racy in Virginia. settles their status in the conflict
they pretend that the debt question is their
prime issue before the people
As the contest has progressed 1t has developed
something mole, however, than is expressed in the
platforms of either faction, and circumstances
interests and whatever motives may have in
huenced them, have impelled the ReadjuSter speak
ers and newspapers, IN their canvass, to come out
boldly and strongly for the ''rights of men under
the law" They advocate, in effect, the policy and
principles of the Republican Party in the main
tenance of the Public Free-School system, as in
tended by the trainers of the Constitution thereby
giving the advantages of education the poorest
as well as the most afiuent. AS far this Is
cerned they have already shown earnest of their
good faith in having restored to the School Fund
greater part of the money diverted from 1T by the
late Bourbon Democratic State Government, who
msappropriated this fund to other purposes than
those for which it was intended. The Readjusters
PROMISE in the event of success, still further re-
organization of the judiciary of the State to the end
that all men may have Justice accorded them, what
ever may be their politics, condition, Color They
assure us Of free vote and fair count, and that
in the future the election machinery shall not be
manipulated to defraud, but, the contrary, shall
be used to insure the rights ofvoters by the enforce
ment OF laws that have been enacted for their pro-
lection. They also pledge themselves emphaticaily
to not only unite with Republicans i'll securing the
repeal of the infamous DISTINGUISHING clause Of the
Constitution, which provides poll-tax as requi-
site to vote, and which was intended to effect las its
author and advocate. in the Legislature said it
would an ssimmense curtaiIment of the negro vote
in the State, and that this was its primary inten
ton thus publicly and, 1T were, officially de-
clared! They not only pledge their support to the
repeal Of this obnoxious law, but promise to take
the initiative in the advocacy and in the enactment
of such measures Will secure this most just and
desirable result.
In a WORD, they have bound themselves as far as
language express it, to the reformation of such
abuses as have been the consequence of the hates
engendered by war; prejudice of race, and the
Reimbursement of deSpised people; happily nat
ural causes and the great healer, time, have not
but as far as possible it has been maintained by
OF the great political parties for purely selfish
political purposes, and at every election the smoul
dering embers have been famed into hot and
glowing fame by the Democratic press and orators,
who maintain the color line in politics the only
means of keeping their party intact. Seldom have
their speakers newspapers attempted to argue
the principles claimed In their political platforms
The have found it easier to appeal prejudice OF
race of section and thus only have they been en-
abled to hold their party together. 1t would long
ago have fallen to pieces had they fairly discussed
hat ba q no tha
ties of the country. The question, then, to Repub-
cans in Virginia, is not so much the settlement of
the State debt it is the rights of man. as hui
man being and citizen, and although it may seem
late in the day to do so, 1 have decided to throw
aside all misgiyngs and to support, effectually
as 1t is In my humble power to do so, the Liberal
Reform ticket am the more influenced to do this
as see no disposition on the part OF the regular
Democratic Party to recede from their former pro-
scriptive policy They still harp the color line,
oppose the repeal of the poll tax, and promise but
little reform OF other abuses. If we look
before us like wall of adamant-h hard,
infiexible, and unyelding Then what is there lett
for us to do but to espouse the of those who
promise relief. Let us con1de in their assurances
and trust to Providence and the futurel [ am also
moved to the course am now about to take by the
reflection that revolutions do not move backwards,
and that the party that has boldly declared in
their platform for the most liberal Interpretation
and enforcement OF the Public Free-School laws,
and for a "free ballot and a fair COUNT must con-
tfnue to advance and in Its progress inevita-
bly,, later, identity itself wi the National
Republican Party. This is the almost universal
opinion Of our wisest Republican leaders through
out this whole country; those whose experience in
the politics of the Nation make their opinions forci
BILE and weighty 1 have been greatly influenced
by their views, and desire to be in accord with this
general sentiment and hope of the Republican
Party for the success of the Liberal movement in
this State, and in the wish that 1t would be the
tering wedge for the dissolution Of sectonalism in
politics. and that it would realize, what is most
vouty to be wished for, the breaking up of the po
liticaD Solid South.
L write to the Republican friends in my District,
those who have gone through fire and blood to
maintain the principles of the Republican Party,
persecution to secure its success and TO whose de-
votion and friendship, personally and politically,
owe much. Write to advise them. to what hope
and believe is the right course for them to pursue
for the best interests of party and the
of the people. JOSEPH JORGENSON. :