Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-08-25
JOHN ". WOLTZ'S OPEN LETTER TO SENA-
TOR MALONE. re-
80 FREDERICKSBURG. Va, 2
August 20, 1882
To Senator William Malone.

10 Senator WttNGn1 MGh07ae. "a ri''fsi+
have been a Republican since July 4, 1866, and
never voted any other ticket since except when
voted for yotr candidates. I have be en- Readjuster
in politics since you made Gilbert C. Walker Cover
Of Virginia, event which resulted IN deprlvng
Republicans of their civil political rights for many
years. and which made it necessary recently to
inaugurate fight for IA free ballot and a fair
count"
In 1878 canvassed the First district with Hon. G.
c. Round the then republican candidate for Congress
upon platform of principles identicle with these
upon which your party was formed year later The
first speeches made by Representatives of your party
before public audience were made by Hon. John
Paul and honest Abe Fnlkerson, in the county of
Stafford. I ,ompanied those gentlemen to and
from the meeting, and was in full sympathy with
them On my return to Fredericksburg teiegraphed
an encouraging report and wrote IN nunication to
your organ the Wig, which were published, giving
my views of Ii results Y Those communications an
nounced to the people of Virginia that the first guns
of liberalism had opened fire upon the ranks of dem
ocratic tourbonsm Soon afterwards l was ap-
pointed clerk in the Treasury Department About
that time Mr. Hayes, through Commissioner Green
B. Raum 60 fl I'd the republicans of Virginia that he
would accept the resignation of such of them held
fee if they encouraged you in your schemes OF re-
pudiation Upon reading She letter of Mr.. Raum,
addressed to j. H. Van Anken, tobacco inspector at
Petersburg called upon Mr. Sherman and notified
him that was my ntentiont to aid you Ia what then
regarded and still regard the hottest OF holy war
fares. ] said to him that ready to resign, if
necessary, to give you my support and influence
He was more liberal with me than you have been,
and acknowledged my right to my political opin-
ions.
Mr. Sherman was at that time a candidate for the
presidency. asked him what he thought of your
party. He said s'the republicans of Virginia will
destroy the prospects of the national ticket if they
touch Malone 1 appreciate all you have said in
gard to his intentiors but if as party you ally
yourselves with Mahone and encourage his schemes
of reputation the effect the pivotal States of the
1n% 30 L.,
made New York and Connecticut would repudiate
our ticket as certainly have anything to do with
reputation in Virginia. We had better give up all
hopes of carrying Virginia than the risk of defeat
in the States have named However much you all
may declare you not in favor of Reputation, you
will be regarded repudators by our friends in the
North and I advise you to let Malone and his
schemes alone.'
An hour after this interview with the 'Great FL
nancier began the preparation of letter for circu-
lation among the c0ored republicans of my district.
My letter addressed to this class of republicans
because I stood almost alone white Republican
willing to advocate your cause. ~
Raum's paper cartridge fired at Van Auken had put
to fight all of VANS Mahoneism. end sent him cry
in ;, II am no Readjuster." Popham was FREEING his
brilliant journalistic darts into your wayerng ranks
Yost was pouring hot shot into you Judges Rives
and Hughes calling upon the honest men of the
State to repudiate you, and appealing to the
women to sell their surplus butter and family relics
to save the old mother from the foul touch of the
pudiator. Gen. Wickham, 'ithe noblest; Roman of
them all,n was using his great influence t9prevent
republicans from supporting you. I lovH General
Wickham more than well, and was almost persuaded
by him that was wrong to encourage you. Ninety
five re. cent of the white republicans of the State
and all of the North actively opposn you, while
l. standing almost alone, was pleading with the
groes in their humble cabins to come forward and
help us destroy bourbon democracy. That was the
time when it tried the soul of white Republican of
Virginia to be Mahones friend. Mine was sorely
tried and I was not found wanting. In one case a
letter I addressed to- the republicans of my county,
to be in high favor with you now to Funder of
fredericksburg who locked it in his safe until the
election was over. Had that letter been used in
tended there would have been less division among
the republicans of this locality Ny letters fruit
full of good results and when heard the news from