Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-08-30

AS it is no exaggeration to say that
the present is the most important cam
vass that has ever taken place in this
State, it becomes the duty of every voter
to consider calmly and dispassionatsl5
the real issues in the canvass and the
effect of his vote, that he may know
whether it is his duty as a good citizen
to vote for the Conservative Democratic
ticket headed by the gallant and accom-
plished Maj. John w. Daniel, or the
Republican-Re pudiation-C Coalition tick.
ct, headed by the astute, ambitious, and
inconsistent Col. VIM. E. Cameron-the
first, representing the large majority Of
the white people of.the State, who pos.
sess the majoy paE of intelligence, char
acter, and property-the second, repre-
senting minority of the white people,
led by few ambitious and unscrupul.
GUS leaders, who, for their own aggrand-
izement, have deserted the Democratic
party, of which they had been, profess
eddy, ardentand jealous members, and
have formed q disgraceful coalition with
the most ignorant and gullible portion
ofthe Republican party that they might,
by the aid Of the votes of the negroes,
defeat the wishes of the great majority
of the white people Of Virginia, and
secure officialFpositions for themselves,
which is the Alpha and Omega of their
unhallowed ambition.
In voting for Daniel, you vote with
the majority of the white people of Vir-
ginia. and for the best interests of the
State, and of all its citizens. In voting
for Cameron, you vote with the mass of
the negroes of Virginia, and for policy
destructive of the interests of the State.
In voting for Daniel, you vote for the
final settlement of the debt question, on
terms which preserve unstained the
honor and honesty Of Virginia, and that,
too, without any increase of taxation.-
1t is vote that no Virginia need blush
to cast, and that will never cause him
to feel regret. It is vote that will save
the fair fame and reputation of Virgin
la, without imposing upon her citizens
any additional tax.
In voting for Cameron. you vote for a
policy that saves nothing to the tax
payer, whilst it disgraces the State, and
makes her by-word and a reproach, an
object Of detestation and contempt, at
which the ''slow unmoving finger OF
scorn" will point, to the modification
and humiliation of every son of Virgin
ia. 1t is a vote to keep the debt ques-
ton unsettled for an indefinite time,
and to keep it as an "apple of discord"
to distract and worry and divide our
people. that few ambitious politicians,
appealing to the lowest sentiments and
to the worst classes, may secure offices
for themselves. 1t is vote for forcibIe
REIMBURSEMENT, which Cameron has de- |
nOunced as "repudiation and robbery"
which none but thieves" could approve
and by that mode the debt question
can never be settled; for the Supreme
Court of the United States stands in the
way Of such a settlement, even if the
Legislative. Executive, and Judicial
of Virginia should ever be
30 debased as to approve it. This the
leaders know full well, and they do not
wish to have the debt question settled
upon any terms; for when that question
Is settled, they will be settled themselves.
When the agitation is over, they will
settle to the bottom, and remain in the
obscurity they deserve, unless they are
Kept on the surface by the aid Of negro
votes, and to secure them. they are now
,ffering all kinds ofinducements to their
faithful allies"-the negroes-such as
he repeal Of the constitutional provision
making the prepayment of the capita
ion tax prerequisite to suffrage, by
which the negro would be allowed to
'ote and rule the State, without the pay /.
aent ola cent to the support of the !,
or the Free Schools, though !.
very cent Of the capitation tax is ap- !,
to the support Of the public !.
,hool, In which his children are edu.
tied, and thus cause the public schools
lose very large amount per annum, p
Mess, the amount thus lost be made up Il
: an additional tax upon the property Is
'lders Of the State. This would fall Of