The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-06-08
Right,ne Wrong.

There have been four contested seats in
Congress from the South disposed OF this
session. The first in order was Lynch, Re
publican, against Chambers, Democrat.
Mississippi The contestant was awarded
the seat. Next, Bisbee, Republican against
Finley, Democrat, from Florida. Bisbee
seated. Mackey, Republican, against Dib-
Bile, Democrat, from South Carolina.-
Mackey seated and Lowe, Greenbacker,
against Wheeler, Democrat. from Alabama.
Lowe seated. There are sixteen more be-
fore the House Commit on Elections, in
some of which the reports have been made
to the House, but no action taken. Most OF
these are in favor of the sitting members.
Others are not ready for action, and it can
not be said what will be the character OF
the recommendations. Among the latter
is that of Stovall Readjuster, against Ca
bell Democrat, from the Fifth Virginia dis
ttict.
In the four cases where Republicans have
been seated, it was clearly demonstrated
that they had received a majority of the
votes cast, but by methods peculiar to the
States whence they came the Democrats
were given the certificates.
This decided action on the part OF the
House will have good effect in the APP
preaching fall elections. The Democrats
affect to believe that the result as recorded
will operate in their favor, and that each
one OF the elected members will be returned
| !, l., IL ", 20 10
The fact is incontrovertible that these dis
tricts contain Republican majorities, and
that where there is probability OF fair
count, that that will be shown at the polls.
The Jpirit exhibited by the Republican
party of the country through its represen-
tatives in Congress, in seating the candi-
dates whom the people elected, will be COM
muncated to the constituent bodies, and
| he coming elections will furnish evidence
that where there is reasonable chance of
success Republican candidates will be sup
ported by the Republican voters, and all
fair means employed to secure their cleo
| ton. The exposure of the frauds which
were perpetrated in counting in Democrats
in the four districts disposed Of, and the
humiliation which followed in ejecting
them from the seats they wrongfully occu-
pied, ought to have the effect to modify the
methods which have been used to debauch
I the ballot-box and defeat the will of the
people, and at the same time to encourage
and stimulate the Republicans to more de-
| term ined efforts to assert and ma inta in
/ tbnir r.rI,f fho,, Inx, 90
manifested. A fair expression of the pop
ular will in the Southern States, would
largely increase the Republican represen-
tation in Congress, and the indications point
to more pronounced declaration Of these in
future contests. Many Democrats them
selves, have become disguised W it'll the agen-
cies employed by their own party to accom-
plish partizan results, and this dissatisfac-
ton is showing itself in the Independent
movements all through the South, with To-
cation, and III others the Greenback issue
These are mere devices through which to
assail the despotic machinery which has
heretofore borne all oppos ition down before
it. But whatever the motive which inspires
these political eruptions, they will be
availed of by the Republicans and their
whole strength brought to bear upon the
success of every independent movement.
1t does not require any very formidable de-
lection in the Democratic party to assure
its defeat in a score of Southern districts.
Enough to assist in guarding the bailot-box
and securing a fair count, will draw out
and concentrate the Republican vote, and
in this way, elect either declared Republic
cans or anti-Bourbon candidates.
With he encouragement given by the
present Congress and that promised in
the disintegrating tendencies in the South
ern Democracy, there should be deter
mined contest waged in every Southern
State, and bold struggle to have Re-
publican representative from every Repub-
lican district. 1t is important in a two
| fold sense. First that the sentiment of the
people may be fairly represented in Con-
gress, and, second, as the surest means for
Republicans to retain the control of that
body, during the count of the electoral
vote in the next Presidential election.
If the administration of President Arthur
and the Republican of the North will do
their duty and give the Southern Republicans
the aid they should have, they will render a
good account III November next and demon
s.rate that the solid South is thing of the
past.