The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-08-24
Tho Lambs Frightening the Lions,

Tho Lambs Frightening the Lions,
1t is q common assumption on the part
of the Bourhons- Knowing 1t TO be false
when they assume it-that the Readiusters
and Republicans constitute the scum OF the
State, and are unfit TO have entrusted To
them the management of public silairs.-
They assign TO themselves all the decency,
intelligence, honesty, capacity and courage
which go to make up a people. They as
sumo To be the "best people
ordained to lord it over their fellow-men
and to lay down the law for civil and polit-
ical, as well as social conduct, as though
their wills were infallible and their man
lates above question. They have affected
to treat with contempt and disdain every
one who has the independence and the
courage 10 contest such arrogance, and 10
claim the privilege of thinking differently
and acting upon such conclusion. Not to
admit that Bourbonism was the perfection
of political wisdom, was to invite the vilest
abuse and denunciation, and to inspire the
| charge that mercenary motives and corrupt
purposes were at the bottom OF every pro-
test that might be urged against such insult
ferable impudence.
| Notwithstanding this ludicrous claim OF
superiority and the humiliating position to
which they consigned their opponents, we
are now presented with the picture of tn is
virulent and unjust faction posing before
the country as prosecuted set-holding
I'D their hands IN holy horror and plOclaim-
| ing against the aggressive attitude OF this
scum and these lmbecles that they are
being prescribed, and nothing but the most
violent and sanguinary resort will enable
them to exercise the rights of freemen
r. 1t is, indeed, sad picture, that these
| tooth less and clawless lions should be set
upon and devoured by the innocent little
lambs, and all their boosted superiority melt
away into whines and blubbers, when
4 driven from the nourishment of the public
pap! ..r.', .'.., ........'.
| 1t is possibly a consciousness OF the cruel
L
prosecutions, because of difference OF Opin-
ion upon public questions and policies, OF
which they were guilty when power su-
preme was theirs, that they apprehend that
the same measure they melted out to their
| opponents will now be measured out to
them by those who have been the victims of
their hate and tyranny. 1t is significant
revolution that places this prescriptions
faction in the attitude Of defence and forces
them to All appeal to the magnanimity OF
the people for protection, and as farsical as
it is significant. lnfidelty to public trusts
aroused the resentment Of the manhood OF
the State, which found expression at the
ballot box in All overwhelming verdict OF
condemnation. They know that they have
no record to which to appeal in their de.
fence-that almost every important legis.
lative act Vt their procurement, was con-
ceiycd in selfishness and to perpetuatc theil
own ruinous rule, regardless of the welfare
!, Of the people and the interests of the Com
5 monwealth. And it is because OF this thai
they SWIVEL and whine, and pose in thu
role of prosecuted and wronged faction
Office was prostituted by them for the ben
: eft of rings and clans.and not administered
in the interests Of the people, which allow
: all things else should have been consulted
e patronage was distributed to the few at tin
s expense Of the many; and so long had tli
: policy of exclusiveness been practiced
| hod q
right to do SO, and it was the privilege
of no one to question it. Eject et
i from office, however, as the result OF 1
. long tenure OF abuse, and deprived OF pa
] tronage, they at first became wrathfu
+. and revengeful. Realizing that thi
: changed not public opinion, but only inten
t sitied it, they set up whimpering abOu
e persecution, in the hope no doubt OF excit
= ing public sympathy, and thus regain Ing
: public confidence.
e This generation, however, will never for
: give nor forget the selfish, reckless and prOfi
: gate rule of the Bourbon faction OF Viz
e GINA. The people have full knowledg
d now of the source of the wrongs that hav
=. been perpetrated against them, and the.
a will not so soon forget their own inter
ests as to recall the verdict they have rem
dered, or modify the Judgment they hav
. recorded. Many who have heretOfor
0 acted with the Bourbon faction, nov
$ that its methods have been exposed by con
: trast and its despotic and tyran MICA
G authority successfully challenged, will
l come out from among its following ant
u join in with those who believe the Peopl
: ought to rule and that government, inst
: tuted for their benefit. ought to be admin
istered for the general good. There is
feeling of relief experienced with the ranl
and file OF the Bourbon faction, and nov
q that its power to prosecute and prescribe
: destroyed, they will array themselves OF
q the side OF the liberal forces which hav
: effected the revolution, and placed TIN
/. Commonwealth in sympa thy with the pro
] eressive influences which are cOntrOllin,
o the interests and directing the destiny o
e the nation. 4H I'D. .1.lJ-.4. U tt.
Il The innocent, modest, peace loving hon
: will have to endure the savage and venom
S Gus assaults OF the vicious lambs, until the!
: learn. a lesson of justice and are tangh
/, that there are no exclusive privileges TO
e any-that arrogance and impudence mus
e be rebuked, and that every man has th'
e right to his own opinion and should exer
: else the privilege of asserting it,whether it /
I in accord W it'll the views Of the self-stylet
1 best people or not.
The Congressional Districts.
3 The canvass has fairly opened along thu
, lines, and the indications are that it will b.
active, exciting, if not somewhat turbulent