The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-05-18
DEFERRED MATTER
The Congressional Contest.

The Congressional Contest
The defeat of the bill to re-apportion the
State for Congressional representation.
has had the effect to give spasm OF vital
ity to the Bourbons. They assume, simply
because of the defeat, that the way is open
to them fora sweeping victory in Novem-
Der next, Notwithstanding the fact that the
popular strength opposed to athem'is large
iy III excess OF the majority indicated BY
the election last fall. The bluster and fuss
and fury OF the leaders OF the Democratic
following had the effect to make thousands
OF voters believe that Cameron would be
ueteated,l and Daniellelected and to be with
tue majority party and escape the harsh
prescriptions which they knew would fol-
low to- all who awere in opposition, they
voted for Daniel The result demonstrated
that Bourbonism was not invulnerable, and
notwithstanding the many disadvantages
under which the Cameron following la
bored, that little pluck and active organi-
cation could marshall the forces sufficient
for the purpose of its overthrow. The W ide-
spread dissatisfaction which existed through
outthe State with the administration of the
State government and the narrow, preiu-
dlced view OF national relations, had
caused feeling of disquietude which only
wanted leadership and organization to de-
velop into open revolt. The manifestation
OF this sentiment in November was net
commensurate with the real fact; and now
that it is known that there is strength
enough in the State opposed to Bourbonism
to constitute the controlling power, we may
reasonably expect more general express
sion OF hostility to that organization.
The main points to so arrange the cooper
ating forces that their full strength NAV
be brought out. This may be done by or
binary common sense prevailing in the ar
engagements, and spirit of fairness and
Justice entering into the policy to be I
adopted. If selfish ambition is made SUI
coordinate to public ends. and a broad I'M
of the situation made para
mount to mere individual aspirations, there
would be no difficulty in devising cam
paign that would bring out every liberal
voter, and concentrate their strength upon
the representative men who may be selected
to hearth .eolors of the opposition. With
this spirit prevailing, the First, Second,
Fourth, SIEVE nth and Ninth Districts ought
to be carHied without doubt, and the Con-
gfessman-at-large elected by very decided
majority. This can be done if the proper
recognition is made of the elements which
constitute the, liberal forces, and no dis
crimination made because of past political
The candidate for Coagressman-at -large
should be carefully selected, and due con-
and weight given to the pol itical
sympathies and associations which are best
calculated to bring out the largest VOTE
That contest will be the test of the strength
OF the Liberal and Bourbon following. and
with success attending for the Liberals we
may safely assume that it will be the last of
mocracy in Virginia. But there must be
an absence OF mere selfshness in the selec-
5lon OF the candidate. he spirit which
has prevailed in the distribution of the pa
tronage of the State, thus far, must be aban-
dooned. Republicans cannot and will not
further submit to being prescribed simply
because they are Republicans, and mere fig
lre-heads foisted into positions VIII ich Re-
publicans have fairly Won. This does not
involve a question OF emolument, but it
loes imply spirit of prescription because
Of political identity, which it is natural for
Republicans to resent, for it duplicates their
and their manhood.
With the observance of the common pro-
prieties of political associations, and the
manifestation OF sincere desire to do JUS
lice, the elements opposed to Bourbonism
may be concentrated, and the result give
majority of the Congressman to be elected
in November to the Liberal forces. The
will be exciting and bitter. for {
Bourbonism will recognize in it the life or [
leath of that organization. Defeated in
,he general vote, Generalization and disin- :
iegration will follow, with the assurance |
hat no future influence will ever be suffi- '
;ieuIky SufOLg 10 restore lbs Vitality OF give q
nope of power. '
In the several districts the same consid- e
.rations should be consulted, and that pol
cy adopted which will draw out the largest +
1ote, assure harmony and crown the contest |
With victory. If the defeat of Bourbon ism L
S really desired, because of the policy in
'olved, this will be the case. If it is mere ,
y to iaunt the liberal colors, that Republi- 5
'ans may be driven to the support of po-
itical adventurers who haye never been
Identified with that party. then the result
will be fitting commentary upon the mo-
ives which controlled, and the end over t
vhelming defeat. ! !