Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-09-14
The Campaign In Virginia.

The political campaign in Virginia is exciting
the deepest interest in that state. Canyassers
are stumping every portion Of the common
wealth, and charges and counter-charges are
hurled back and forth in the press and on the
stump The latest phase OF the canvass is the
production of two letters alleged to have been
written by Capt. Blair. the readjuster candidate
for attorney general. In one of these letters
the writer is particularly severe upon the colored
people. He declares that they are unfit for citi-
Zens, and that he was never in favor ofthe clause
In the constitution which conferred the right OF
citizenship upon them. In the other letter. in
treating of the contest in Virginia last year, the
writer declares that he vas never with the
democrats and never will be" and further an
nounces the doctrine that Honor never bought
breakfast" Capt. Blair denies the authorship
of these letters. but his opponents refuse to
accept his denial. The letters purpOrt to
have been written at Wytheville, and the
democrats have obtained some aflidavits
there that they were written by Blair They
have also procured from persons claiming to be
familiar with Blair's handwriting, statements
that these letters are undoubtedly the work of
his pen. The prevailing opinion is that If the
letters are fastened upon Blair he will be forced
to retire from the ticket. The only possible
ability to secure the colored vote. If it is
shown that Blair. only year ago, did not re-
gard the colored man as capable of casting an
intelligent ballot it is not the least probable
that he viii be supported with that ballot this
year. One Wilson. former readiuster who
held legislative elerkship, at Richmond, in
1S19-SO, placed the letters in the hands of the
democrats and affirms that they were written to
him BY Blair.
At public meeting in wytheville last Mon
day, Capt Blair denounced the letters as for
geries. He declared that I'm the sight of heaven
and with all the solemnity of an oath recorded
there he had never written such sentiments TO
any person. At the same time he read an aft
dayit made by number of readiusters of Wythe
vile. to the effect that they had examined the
letters. and the writing was not Blar's. Capt.
George ID. Wise. Member of COngress-elect from
the Richmond district who first made the
letters public, still maintains. however. that
they are genuine. As general rule it is fair to
conclude that man knows better what he has
written than anybody else. and it requires
unusual hardihOOd for one to deny the author
ship of a letter he has actually written. because
there are So many ways TO fasten it upon him.
Iroqucls to-day again covered himself with
glory by winning the ST. Leger stakes. Those
who bet against lroquois on the suppositiOn
that he was out of condition have made miss,
as did those who thought he would not win be-
cause of the fact that he won the Derby. 1t
appears that although the St. Leger was insti-
tuted in 1l1l6 and the Derby in 1880, only nine
horses have been successful in both events
during the same year-Wiisons champion" in
1900 Lord Clifden's :'Surplice, in 1S4S; Lord
Englintons Flying Dutchman.' in 1885, Lord
Zetland's ''yOltigeur," in 1850; Mr.. BOwes
'West Australian" in 1853: Mr.. LAnson's
- Blair Athol," in 1864; Count Lasranges Glad
iateur," in 1865: NJ Sutton's Lord Lyon" in
1866. and Lord FalmOuth's ''SilviO," in 1877.
We shall sadly miss the good-natured face and
solderiy figure of Gen. Burnside; both in the
Senate chamber. where his honest, impulsive
utterances always gained attention, or on Penn
sylvania avenue, where the public have been
used to see him daily, mounted on his red
wheeled dog-cart or walking arm in arm with
his colleague, Senator Anthony. brave SOL