The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-12-01
Some Facts to be Considered.

been furnished with various interviews on
Virginia affairs sent out from New York,
as occurring with Gen. Malone, Capt. Rid
dleberger. and Gen. Groner, in which more
direct and specific coIclusions.are reached,
espec tally as to the Senator to be elected.
1t is announced in these several statements
that Capt. Riddleberger will certainly be
chosen Sepator-that Hon. j. F. Lewis
name had been mentioned-that his cleo
ton could only be brought about by aco-al-
ition between few Republicans and the
Democratic members, whose motto was
anything to defeat Malone. and that the
choice of Mr.. Lewis would add nothing to
the strength of the coalition which achieved
such a signal victory on the 9Th OF No
vember.
These conclusions are given to the public
as coming from Ger. Malone him self and
as rejecting his views as to the policy to be
adopted by the Legislature. Without hav-
ing direct or indirect knowledge on the
subject matter of these interviews. so far
do bilSf ICldLC W ttC CiCStiOh va OSh~ecAf
we assume that Gen. Malone never used
such language as is attributed to him. and
that he never expressed the opinion with
which he is credited, as to Mr.. Lewis. Gen.
Malone knows we'll enough that Mr.. Lewis
would be as far from betraying party, or
compromising his convictions.as any man IN
the State, and that his whole connection with
the deliberations and discussions which led to
the formation OF the ticket that was but re-
Gently elected, was such as to forbid any such
unjust imputation. Even had Gen. MahOne
entertained the views he is made to assume
the responsibility for, we are sure his sa-
gacitv would have closed his mouth to their
utteranee. in the light of the canvass just
closed and the 1acit and implied under
standing which prevailed with the people
who supported Col. Cameron for Governor.
Both parties to the contest recognized the
fact that if the Rs-adjuster cause was sue
cessfui and the Governor and Legislature
secured, that Mr.. Lewis would be offered
| the Senatorship. This was the argument
! used by the Bourbon Democrats to persuade
Re-adjuster Democrats against supporting
Col. Cameron, and it was the tacit under
standing which induced many Republicans
to consent, foE the time, to the surrender
of their own party pame in order to secure
the success OF liberal ideas and policies in
State administration. There was no bar
gain or agreement, no mercenary consider
alton, which operated with the successful
forces. but the fact was recognized that
each of the elements which constituted the
party advanced 20 authority would be re-
garded as entitled to just and fair consider
alton. Not to act up to this understanding
would be fragrant breach of faith, with
results which might destroy not only the
fruits of the victory in Virginia. but render
it absolutely impossible to inaugurate
similar mogements in other Southern States.
| it is true that there was no discussion of
the claims of gentlemen OF the Republican
or Re-adiuster party to the Sen&torship.-
The primary and paramount issue was State
policy-the defeat of the Bourbon element
of the Democratic party and the Inaugural
ton OF an administration that would make
it its highest duty to restore the Constitu-
ton to the provisions which it contained
when first adopted as it affects suffrage and
manhood rights. The great bulk of the Re-
publicans of the State made no demands
for recognition on the state ticket, and
make no demands now for recognition in
the State offices which are at tlls disposal Of
the Legislature. They are perfectly willing
that those who have come to their aid in the
work of correcting the wrongs and mitigat
ing the abuses which have been inflicted
upon the great mass OF the people, shall
have the rewards and honors of giving eff
feet to the reforms VIII have been prom
ised. The Republicans marshalled their
forces to place the Re-adsusters in control
of the entire machinery of State govern
ment-the Governor. the Legislature, the
Judiciary-in short, all of the departments
of government and their ramiffcations.
And, if good faith is observed, it is their
purpose to aid in cementing the coalition
and continuing the power until lawful liber-
alism shall prevail throughout the Common
wealth in all of her interests,
Inasmuch as the Republicans brought
their column of $4,000, as numbered last
year, to the aid of the 81 900 Re-adjusters,
as numbered last wear, to rescue the con-
troll of the State from those who had so
shamefully abused their authority, and pro-
pose to stand by them until the necessities
which have called into existence the coali-
ton shall have been met, it is not unrea-
sonablc that they should demand recogni-
tion in the selection of q United States
Senator, especially as there is already a
Democratic Senator of the Re-adiuster per-
suasion.
We are anxious to see the forces cryetAl.
lied and united which achieved the recent
victory. We believe the prosperitysof Vir-
ginia stands intimately identified with the
change of State policy promised by the sue
cess, and as Virgins may he favorably az
fected, will the influence emanating there.
from pass on to the South until other Com
monwealths will throw off the obstructive
methods which have but invited the dis.
trust, if sot disgust, of all enlightened and
progressive commup tiles. The results Of
the victory in this State will be, therefore,
watched with absorbing interest, and as
wisdom, fairness and good ia 18th may be re-
co2nized here will the purpose and desire
to follow our example take root and manifest
themselves in other Comupogwealths. The
fact is we'll known that Republican votes
contributed the major part of the popular
strength which effected the change in this
State. 1t will be equally well known, that
they will acquiesce in any disposition that
mag be made of The State patronage thus
acquired. But if, in addition to this a
United States Senator is given to the Re-
adjuster Democrats. it will certainly not
be an inducement for pnblicans. III other
States, to enter into an arrangement by which
they will share the same fate that wOnid be !
thus meted out to the Republicans OF Vir- |
ginia.
1t is from nc Eaereenary considerations
that we have deemed Ii proper to call at
tention to this subject. We should not
have done so, but allowed the whole matter !
n no liSpncol IF hxyt ho oOic 1afu In, ko