The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-09-21
The Canvass.

The Canvass.
We will rot. III this canvass, IL we know
it, misrepresent any fact affecting the in
terest OF any one asking for public conf
denee. We Will not allow the columns of
the FIRGINIAN to be used fer personal de-
famatlon, or To reflect upon the personal
character Of any one, unless in vlndication
of the truth. We do not believe in and
have no sympathy with canvass of mere
personalities, or appeals that have. no higher
object than to excite passions and create
sensation. There are interests involved in
this election which we believe will affect seri-
ously the welfare of the State, and that upon
the result in November next will hinge the
progress and prosperity of Virginia. We
must declare for or against the progressive
inldences which are now moving the bust
ness OF the country, developing resources
and stirring The energies of the people. We
have the records before us OF the two par
ties conrending for power, to which
we have heretofore referred. They pre-
sent the contending policies, one or the
other OF which mus be endorsed and
adopted by the constituent body. We have
the choice between Liberalism and Bour-
bonism, and the verdict we may render Will
have an abiding effect upon the destinies OF
the Commonwealth.
Nor will we in this district say one word
in disparagement of Col. O'Ferrall, unless
compelled to do so by his own position and
declarations. Personally we have no feel
ings togratisy as they relate to individuals
We know of no one now before the people
of Virginia Tor whom we would not prefer
to do a personal kindness rather than an UNI
kindness. But we have duty TO perform
which we shall endeavor to discharge In
the light of truth and fairness. And IN do
fsg>so, we are impelled TO refer again to
two statements coming from Col. OFFER
rail- which demonstrate to US that he is in
cons iderate in what he says, and is not
seeking to convince the judgment and in-
fluence the reason Of the voters by facts and
arguments.
His statement at Luray, that Judge
Stewart, of the County Court OF Page
county. refrained from filing vacancy in
the clerkship of that county, until he had
received advice from Gen. Malone. was
promptly and fully refuted on the occasion
OF the assertion. yet Col. o 'FeTrall according
to the report of his speech to a Bourbon pa
per, repeated the allegation in Highland. not
W outstanding the complete contradiction OF
ie at the time it was preferred. Had Col.
OiFerrall desired to state the exact fact, and
not to mislead any of his hearers, he would
have made inquiries as 10 the circumstances
attending the appointment of clerk for
that county, and when finding them to be
essentially different from what he had heard
he would have desisted from a reference to
the matter, or if referred to, a can lid de-
claration made that he had been misin-
formed.
In like manner, before max ing the asser-
ton before large audience at distant
point, rejecting upon the management OF
one ofethe State charities. located at Staun-
ton, he should have acquainted himself with
the facts, and not, when called for the
PROOF OF his dSSeTtiOIl, Ueeu cOukpeiicu "
cite street rumors. or curb stone talk as his
authority. Justice to himself should have
inclined him to respect the character and
position of Judge Stewards pure man
as there is in the State-a gentleman whom
we have known from boyhood-by rigid in
qury into facts, so as to be able to give a
correct statement of them, that the people
might deduce their conclusions. Similar
considerations should have demanded of
him, in his remarks about the Lunatic Asy-
ium at Stanton, that the precise truth be
stated. 1t was due to him, as one seeking
the confidence of the people of the Seventh
District, that his claim thereto should have
been predicated upon infallible grounds and
that something more than idle talk and par
'tizan falsehoods should have been the basis
of his assertion.
There was no fact or circumstance to JUS
Sifyhis loose statements on either Of the
occasions to which we haye referred. The
facts, indeed, directly contradict what he
said. 1t would, therefore, have been much
more to his credit and shown much more
respect for the people from whom he seeks
the position to which he aspires, had he in
formed himself, where information was
so accessible, so as not to have created an
erroneous mpressio upon the m inds of his
hearers. His course in both the instances |
we have cited, has lost him friends through
outth Valley counties of this district, and |
will continue to work disadvantage to him |
until the day of election. Conversions may |
betmade, even in heated canvass, by argu- |
ments and facts, but never by N isrepresen- |
tations, especially where correction is sure |
Go speedily come.
Let US have campaign of legitimate ar
g ument upon facts and policies, and not
one of loose assertion and misrepresenta-
ton. 1t is such that the people desire. The |
verdict to be rendered is of vital interest |
to all classes of citizens, and those who APP |
preciate the ballot and wish it to reflect the |
honest sentiments of the voter, as the re-
suit Of careful reflection and conscientious
conviction. will not tolerate any improper |
means to control it,. Indeed. m 'srepresen.
tation orsmisstatement of fact is certain TO |
have,a reactye influence. and operate to |
the dsa dvantage Of those who are shallow
enough TO, hope to profit byeit. Nothing |
so strongly appeals to the judgment and
of he people as the truth. 1t |
needs no xplanation,. and vindicates Itself
effectively by its very simplicity and force
fulness.