Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-11-08

The Valley Vsrginsam in the editorial
Of its issue of the 4th Of August, refer
ring to the desperate efforts of the Read
juster party to enlist the aid Of the Re-
publican party says
Republicans holding Federal posi-
tions, in many instances, are not allow
ed to exercise the right of free citizens In
support of the policy and principles OF
their party except at the risk of decapi-
tation while in the same line of service
those Of them who cowardly submit to
the lash of the bosses, are permitted to
work for the destruction Of the party
through whose agency they have been
favored. This, we are sure, is not an
emanation from Washington. 1t Is the
result of the desperate stiaights of the
coalitionists, who know that If free,
unembarrassed expression of Republl-
con sentiment is permitted, the integri.
ty of the party will be maintained and
an indignant and scornful protest
against all corrupt propositions OF de-
sertion and treachery, be administer
ed
Why do they incur the risk of decapi-
tation may we now, humbly and defer
entially ask. Who has the power to
"decapitate Republicans holding Fed
eral positions" outside of Washington.
Then how can you be ''sure" that 1t is
not an emanation from Washington. +"
Mr.. Kelley, in well ordered and dig
nified speech here some weeks ago, in
timated what the Virginian in this edi'
torial positively declares, :and he met
the "scornful acknowledgement protest" O
the VSrginian. Mr.. Kelley possibly
brought the matter nearer home-bu
what is the difference? The TSrgi,aid'
is in 1.-THE same line of service" as thos'
whom it denounces, and yet it stated IL
its critque of Mr.. Keiley's speech, tina
in saying Office holders here were in
Inundated and driven into the supper
of Malone and his party. his declare
ton was las unmanly as it was untrue.
It has been impossible during this
or any other, campaign for any Demo
cratic paper or speaker to refer to Fed
eral patronage in the mildest way with
out engaging every Jealous Republican
to the widest degree, and throwing
them into spasms of virtuous indigna
ton and insulting retort.
i Now, we take it that the people of tn
Valley of Virginia are not so far dispos
sessed of memory, or SO blind to tn
baldest public occurrences for the las
ton voore on IN ho unaware of the nre
vious history, not only of the coalition
lists" but of the coalesced. and ther
is enough at least in the history 6
both to justify a reasonable misgiv
ing as to their entire disinterestednes
and freedom from the charms of Fed
eral sweet bread. The bullying and In
solent reriy of the Swashbuckler is, a
least, out of place. and the Nryinion, "
assume, was entirely too Sudden an
quick in QUARREL" with Mr.. Kelley
when reading the editorial over again
1t must be forced to acknowledge that tn
idea of federal off ceholders being drive
into the support of readjusterism origi
mated with itself. Federal officeholdeI
in one place are like federal of1cehold
ers in another, and if an invitation t
Join the ranks of Malone deserved a
Indignant protest" in Lynchburg il
August last, we leave it to the Trgiz
ian to explain why it is found in tn
ranks of that party to-day, this notabl
!, 9Th of November.