The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-09-01
Letter from Gen. wickham.

- HANOVER Co., Aug. "a, 1881.
10 the Edstor Of the Debt Pager, Richmond, Va.
Dear Sir,-Responding to your request that
would give you for publication in your pa
per my views in regard to the present situa-
ton Of political affairs in Virginia.:
Inc prospects of the Republican party of
Virginia were never so bright before as on the
eve OF the last presidential election Its stead
last course, Its strict adhesion to principle, had
elevated 1t in the opinion of our people; but
the attack made upon it by parties claiming
10 be authorized by the National Republican
COMMITTEE to withdraw the Republican cleo
toral ticket IN favor of the Re-adjuster Han
COCK ticket, demoralized our voters, certainly
in my opinion, to an extent of loss to the Re
publican ticket of more than the 12. 43O votes
which would have given the State to Garfield
and Arthur
IhouSh beaten in the election, yet the hon
esly and earnestness of purpose exhibited by
the great body of the Republicans of Virginia
IN resisting the overtures and threats of these
men, and the miserable tools in Virginia that
entered into their schemes, won still further
ior our party here the respect and esteem
OF our opponents and the whole people of Vir-
GINA, and we could have gore into the can
yass Ior state officers this autumn with an
almost certainty of success had not the means
resorted to by the Re-adjuster party to break
down the Republican organization in this State
resulted in such division of the party at
Lynchburg as to show those who were labor
ing for the success of Republicanism in Vir-
glnla That II Republican ticket took the field
Inc Time OF the canvassers would have to be
deyoted TO bringing back to the party those
who had been deluded into desertion. instead
OF the effort to win recruits and supporters
from the ranks of those who had been oppos-
ed to them. And had the Republican party
presented an undivided front, as it would have
done but for the treachery of some of it's mem
Ders and the weakness of others, am conf
dent that victory would have this time re-
warded our efforts
AS it Is, the Republican party finds itself without
candidates In the field for State officers and It's
members are free, without any forfeiture Of alleg-
ancr to the party to cast their votes according to
their individual preferences, to abstain alto
gether from voting for any Of the candidates.
But, IN my Judgment no Republican can vote for
any Of the Re-ad1uster candidates without abandon
ing one of the most vitality important principles of
tne republican party-one on which the party has
built as on rock; the abandonment Of or even fall
ter1ng In which, by the National Republican party
would be followed by the instant overthrow Of the
party In the United States. 1 refer to the honest
unhesitat1ng support Of governmental obligations
and credit. -
In the language Of President Garfield
''No Republican should touch any party tainted
with reputation" That one of the parties now
seeking the support Of the people of Virginia is
one conversant with the history of the debt of Vir-
ginia can question. They call their process sre-ad
justment, and some OF them elimination"
But the naked fact stands open, that they propose
to strike Off from the Indebtedness of the State and
to refuse to pay either principal interest of some
ten or twelve millions of the debt of State (n
addition to what has been assigned to West Virgin
1al which stands to her debt on her own books;
which has been recognized as correct by her State
officers, and which has been sustained by her high
est court and by the Supreme Court of the United
States itself. debt which, In the language of the
platform OF the Republican party of Virginia. adopt
ed by the Republican convention at Lynchburg, on
August 18th. 1884, created .for constructing her
Internal improvements and charitable Institutions;
Wnlcn permeat1ng every quarter In the State bring
benefits of far greater value than their cost to the
whole people of Virginia..
If this is not reputation of the very worst kind
what is it
Suppose they succeed In these efforts against the
credit OF Virginia, Will 1t not have demoralizng
effect the tone of the whole country the sane
tity Of governmental obligations Will 1t not un-
settle the public mind on them? VIII it not encour
age assault upon, and indeed endanger, the credit
of the United States Government itself? si
Their candidate for Attorney General has ieclar-
ed no longer than year ago. for vigorous appli.
cation Of readjustment principles to the National
Debit. Their chief leader has, the floor of the
United States Senate, said; 81 am not DemocratI
am not a Republican: Tam Re-adjuSter.' Their
party has butone distinctive principle which is the
of the state debt. With these signif-
cant expressions on the part of these leaders, If
they succeed here, can We pect anything but ssa
vigorous application their part OF the principles
OF REIMBURSEMENT to the national debt and can any
demagogue in the South and West than a re-adjust-
ment of the national debt 1 reflect upon It with
horror, and man and Republican will resist
every measure, every party stainted with repudia-
ton"
But, again, why should any Republican support
this Readiuster party Has not their every nerve
been strained to destroy the Republican party Of
Virginia? Do they not refuse to acknowledge allie
glance to the Republican party? Do they not claim
on the stump and elsewhere to be Democrats? Has
not their candidate fof Governor recently declared
that he Re.ad1uster Democrat? But they
claim to be "l1beral' Democrats. have known OF
liberal Democrats from time to time since 1870 1
have known them sometimes to get offices by the
support of the Wings, and after that prove them
selves the most tlltberal Of Democrats. And then
member, they want the votes of the Republicans to
get into power here Is 1t not clear case Of
s'The devil was sick, the devil monk would be;
The devil got well-the devil monk was he."
have confidence In their professions. believe
their effort Is to tear down the Republican party
here, to build their upon its ruins and certain
y will not aid them In their efforts.
No; If they succeed this fall the Republican par
ty will cease to exist in Virginia for all time here
AFTER and have not the slightest idea that should
National Republican party.
For myself 1 am, in this canvass, heartily for
Daniel, Barbour and Mckinney. far less hurtful
the best interests Of the State and of the country
han the Re-adjuster candidates. But when this |
canvass is shall all the zeal possess to
'esuscitate and re-unite the Republican party of |
Virginia, and bring 1t to success.
Your obed1ent servant,
WINS. c. WICKHAM.