The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-08-25


Republicans of Virginia just representa-
ton in all the departments of the State
government.
Cameron and DANIEL.
The industry manifested by the Demo
cratic press in hunting up and publishing
what Col. Cameron may have written or
said years ago about the State debt, the ne
gro race, and the political influences which
controlled conclusions then, and the anxiety
of the Re-adiuster press to arraign Maj.
Daniel for expressions OF like extreme i'm
port, is not what the people want. In the
unsettled condition Of society and politi-
cal relations, years ago, when the influences
growing out Of the war were calculated to
inflame resentments and incite passionate
defamation, it was not uncommon for
tongue and pen to be inspired more by pas
sion than calm reason. 1t is not what these
gentlemen, now before the people, asking
their support for the highest Office in the
gift Of a great Commonwealth, thought I'M
der such circu instances, and what they said
or wrote, bat what they think and say now,
when the responsibility of their respective
positions presses upon them. They are
both Of them, honorable gentlemen, and
the opinions and policy they would declare
to-day. are what we believe they would I'M
dertake to carry into effect, should they be
placed in position to do so. II Col. Cam
eron recognizes the force of the legislation
and the const itutional provisions which
give to the colored man equality before the
law, and Maj. Daniel accepts the results Of
the wise financial management Of the Re-
publican party. which has brought so much
prosperity to the country, it would be fool
ish to throw In the face of Col. Cameron
what he wrote and spoke in 1858, and in
the face of Maj. Daniel his greenback ut
terances some years ago. Both Of them
have given utterance to expressions and
sentiments which the march Of time and
the tests Of experience have proven were
improper and illogical. The inquiry evoked
from the minds of all fair men, is what
areItheir opinions now? Their integrity is
unassailed-their veracity unimpeached.-
We take them at their present declarations,
and will not raise question as to the sim
certify OF what they say. II Col. Cameron
has deemed it right to change his views Of
the colored man-has been convinced by
his progress in intelligence and education
and knowledge Of political facts and party
relations, that he underestimate his worth
and capacity, 1t is his duty. as an honest
that the people of Virginia acted in bad
faith. in placing restrictions upon the right
Of voting. after having pledged themselves
not to change the conditions Of the elective
franchise, and have enjoyed all the rights
and privileges growing out Of the agree
ment then made, he would be false to his
manhood not to say so. Certainly it is not
popular, in the present condition of the
public mind, to take such position. and if
he does take it, it is evidence that there are
strong convictions behind it.
Upon this point, Maj. Daniel was not as
clear and satisfactory as Col. Cameron in
his speech on last Monday. To use mild
term, and not designed to be discourteous,
he evaded q frank answer. Many Of his
warmest supporters would do likewise, il
approached with the question. whether the
capitation tax restriction on the ballot
should be repealed or not. Some OF the
more intellig, ut of them have acknowl-
edged that the constitutional provision on
the subject was wrong, and that under Or
binary circumstances they would favor
it's repeal; but the peculiar shape of the
canvass and the influences operating, make
it impolltic to do so.
We give each OF the candidates for Gov
ernor the credit Of being honest in the de-
clarations he makes and the sentiments he
advances on the suffrage question, the debt
issue and the public school interest. Upon
the latter question we believe both Of them
are sound to the core, as we believe every
enlightened statesman and progressive
thinker is.
We agree with neither of them in their
position on the debt questions and the duty
Of the people in reference to it. We cannot
SuuOi DC 0hC 1stu0lCUCikCI Dill upOu WuICu
Col. Cameron stands, for reasons which we
have often advanced. We cannot approve
the platform which Maj. Daniel supports,
because it does not approach the issues
frankly and leaves the whole matter in
doubt and distrust, in that no positive as
surance is given of final settlement. 1t
is but reflection Of the declarations Of 1877,
contradictory in themselves and unsatisfac-
tory in every respect.
We approve of the position OF Col. Cam
eron on the capitation tax restriction. and
do not approve Of the evasion of this issue
by his opponent. The general tenor and
inclination of the views of Col. Cameron
are more in accord with those we entertain
guarded definitions which Maj Daniel has
given.
1t is with reference to the practical poll
tics Of to-day, and not the passionate and
ill-digested expression Of years ago that the
people are called to consider. The popular
mind will be impress ed and determined by
~hat is opposite and tangible, and not by
what is merely sentimental and sensational.
1t would indicate more confidence in their
views v ere both of them to confine their
discussions to the issues which must COM
mand the consideration of the next Legis-
lature and the Executive, and show more
respect for the intelligence and good sense
Of the people. II they would dispense with
sharp-shoosing about each others earlier re- |
cord, when neither Of them was asking i
the SURFACES OF the people, and when " that
they said wss as much to round . period or i
administer to diseased mind and passing /
prejudice as anything elss. It would be \
more creditable to the candidates were
there less Of the mus:y records and more of
practical politics in their discussions, and !
we hope the suggestion here made will not
be lost upon these two brilliant young Vir-
,iniaas y..h,e aspire to the high Office of Gov
,rnor OF this GoNmopwealth.
Hartmann. the Russian Aihilist, hes de
Jared his intention of becoming go Amer
can citizen, and has filed his Naturalization.
,apers aa New York. He has already had
ha oottr odrasxjsterad tn him and now