The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-09-28
Mr.. VIM. Hevener's Gard.


We transfer to our columns from the
Highland Recorder, a card from WIN. Hev-
ener, ESQ.,, defining his political pos
ton. We have known Mr.. Hevener long
and esteem him highly. He isa gentle
man of high character and most excellent
sense. and conscientious in any view he
NAV express upon public questions. 1t has
been known for some time that Mr.. Heve-
ner did not intend to support the Readlus-
ter party in this contest. and no surprise is
experienced at the announcement he makes.
And VIII lie we do not question the sincerity
of Mr.. Hevener in his conclusions, we
think they are indefensible viewed from his
own standpoint. Even If the debt qnes-
ton were the only issue involved, IL
would not be safe to turn the power OF
the State over 10 the Bourbon Democracy
which has caused all the trouble and wrong
that have been experienced by the debt
complication. But the canvass OF 1851
reached further and com pretended more,
and Mr.. Hevener subscribed to every prop
osition embraced in it. He was then ke-
adjuster not only on the debt issue, but on
free ballot, the free schools. the whipping
post. and econom ical and honest admins
tration of government. The Bourbons
pract ically opposed all of these, and now
when the fiEal struggle is upon us, Mr.. Hev-
ener would turn upon the party that has
accomplished in part what he wanted as to
one question, and surrender to the faction
| which has opposed what he has deemed just
and right to the people OF Virginia. This
is Inconsistent and illogical, and Mr.. Heve-
ner cannot defend it, nor can any one
else.
What is it Mr.. Hevener would change in
the condition OF the country. or what de-
fence has he to make Of the Democratic
party, that he breads a surrender OF the
| name? Would he return to the Odd State
system OF banking and abandon the nation
al banks? That would be old Democratic.
Would he re-assert the doctrine OF State
Rights to the result of secession? That
would be old Democratic. Would he deny
the government the right to improve the
commercial highways OF the nation, by
which is opened up the resources and
wealth Of the country? That would be old
Democratic. Modern Dem ocracy does
not dare to declare for such posit ions.-
Would he PROSTATE and destroy the indus.
tries Of the country, fostered and encour-
aged under our tariff laws, by which the
nation has grown wealthy and strong and
the people happy and prosperous That
would be old Democratic.
No, Mr.. Hevener would do none of these
things. He does not believe that the re-
cord Of modern Democracy against specie
umption and in favor of the greenback
theory, is right. He does not believe the
free trade policy to be that VIII ich is suited
to the development of our country, the
employment of our labor and the wei.
fare of the masses. He does not en-
dorse the record of modern Democracy in
favor OF polygamy. He cannot object te
the policy of the Republican party which
has given the people the best currency we
have ever known which has reduced the
interest charge on the national debt from
$3.50, 0OO, 900 annually to $50 200, 900. at the
same time the taxes have been reduced
He cannot object to what has been done in
recovering the waste places of the CONT
nent and populating the deserts with oul
hardy pioneers-spanning the country from
ocean TO ocean with railroads and building
up cities OH the plains.
The fact is. there is nothing left of ole
Democracy, and it is the intensest Bourbon.
lem to refer to it as having in it anything
on the sea side, with her mop busily labor
ing to drive back the surging waves
while the tide rushes on, Mr.. Hevenel
would vainly arrest the progressive forces
! which are sweeping away the INSTRUCTIONS
to State and National progress and pros
perity-advancing American civilization
and placing the nation in the forefront Of
the powers OF the wOr Id.
We would that our old and esteemed
friend would throw aside all old preju
dices, and bring his good common sense te
bear upon the prosperous condition of the
country and the causes which have brought
it about. II he will do this, he will fine
that modern Democracy has had no agen
sy in it-that it has opposed, in State anG
nation, every measure and every policy
which have contributed to it, and that il
can be trusted in neither one nor the 9th
er to administer government in the interest
OF the people.
As to State matters, Mr.. Hcvener is toe
sagacious business man not to have OBJ
served the changed condition of public
feeling since the Bourbons have been thrust
out OF power. The fact that basis of set
Element OF the debt has been reached anG
adopted by the Readiusters is one of the
strongest reasons why he should not sup
Element. The fact that q feeling of conf.
dence and hope prevails through the State, is
reason why he should not return to q
party whose administration bred distrust
discontent and business stagnation. The
fact that the public schools have had re-
turned to them the moneys the constitu.
ton dedicated to them, but which were un.
justly taken from them, and by which
they have become public benefactions, is
a reason why he sheuld not wish to give
them back to the tender mercies of the
Bourbon faction. The fact that the civil
and political rights of all men are to be
guarded, is reason why he should not
countenance party that respected Meth
er, unless in the interest OF Bourbon SUI
premacy.
There is no fact or reason as it relates
to State or National interest, which can
justify Mr.. Heyener's defect ion. But he is
but one man, and while he may have rea-
sons to satisfy himself, we know that many
Of his fellow-citizens who voted against
him on the debt question, will now oppose
him In his efforts to restore Bourbon power
In Virginia.
Hon. JnO. s. Wise arrived in Staunton Thurs
day morning from Bath County, where he had
ajoint discussion with Capt. James Bumgard-
ner of this place. He remained in Staunton
during Thursday and Thursday night, as he
was booked for speech at New Hope on
Friday. A number of his personal and polt-
I