Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-08-08
[From the Dispatch.l
Massey or Wise.

| propose to give very briefly some
reasons why no Democrat (Readjuster
or Debt-Payer) should hesitate to vote
for Mr.. Massey. am Debt-Payer of
the istraitest sect, and no admirer of
Mr.. Massey, and were this merely per-
sonal contest should decline to support
him; but moments reflection must
satisfy any reasonable man that 1t would
be not only very great but . dangerous
error to suppose that it is merely ques-
ton of the relative merits of Massey and
Wise. Perhaps never before in the his
tory of our State has the wisdom of that
Democratic watchword. principles. not
men," been brought into clearer light.
1t is undeniable that this is really con-
test between the Republican party, rep
resented by Mr.. Wise, and the Demo-
cratic party, represented by Mr.. Massey.
Mr.. Massey fights under the Democratic
flag and promises to co. operate with that
party. Mr.. Wise runs as the Adminis-
tration candidate and promises allegi-
ance to the Republican party. The pre-
sent Administration at Washington is
not only q Republican but Stalwart
one. It is therefore demonstrably true
that the triumph of Mr.. Wise will be
the triumph of the Republican party,
and of the worst wing of that party and
let no Democrat forget that Republican
success in Virginia means scalawag and
negro rule. Are Virginians prepared
for this? Have we forgotten the his
tory of the Republican party, its op-
pressive and proscriptive legislation, its
bitter and malevolent spirit towards the
South? Are we ready to condone all
this? Are we ready to commit all our
\ b. kD ka 7inv 1ohf 1f
such party? Will we turn our eyes
away from its career OF fraud and cor"
ruption? Will we forget its unceasing
unjust. and discriminating taxation Of
southern products and industries?
The charge was made several years
ago that Malone and his adherents
would land in the Radical camp, and
later it was specifically charged that ne
had entered into q bargain with his
Republican task masters at Washington
to turn Virginia over to the Republican
party, and we have, in the recent con-
duct and present course of Malone and
his followers, absolute veriication of the
charge.
Shall we, by our supineness and in
difference, permit this bargain to be con.
summated? Are Virginians ready to
be driven like sheep into the Radical
camp?
Shall we, in such contest as this,
take counsel of our feelings and prejc-
dices? Shall we not rather follow the
dictates of sour judgments and the
promptings Of an enlightened patrio-
tism? My conclusion is that every
Democrat ought to support Mr.. Massey,
because he is the Democratic candidate
and because his triumph will be the
victory of Democracy, the defeat of
Stalwart Republicanism, and the ami
hilation of 'bossism" in Virginia.
Again, Democratic Debt-Payers can
support Mr.. Massey without inconsis.
tency, even though they may regard him
as the "father of readjustment.n First,
because "readjustment" has nothing to
do with Federal politics, and second, be-
cause the State debt has been readjusted
and settled rs far as the people can settle
it, and it is now the obvious duty of all
true Conservative Democrats to see to 1t
that this distracting subject shall no
longer be q cause of division in our
ranks.
Every honest and independent Read
juster can without inconsistency vote
for Mr.. Massey, for his only treason to
the Readjuster party is his refusal to
wear the collar of the Boss.
Mr.. Massey's candidacy is thorn In
the side of the Boss, as the rawlings of
his organ unmistakably indicate. The
fears Of the Boss are awakened, for he
well knows Massey's power to arouse
the people, and he also knows ''the mo-
tive and the cue 1or passion" he has
himself given the Parson. As q Demo-
crat I urge my acknowledgements Fun
ders and Readjusters) to "let the dead
past bury its dead, }" and to turn their at
tention to living issues. If we have
been divided in the recent past, let US
look back a little farther to the days
when with unbroken ranks we marched
against q common foe, and let the MEM
orv of the victories we then achieved
INSPIRE US to make renewed efforts in
the maintenance of those great Demos
cratic principles upon which depend
the security Of our rights and the per-
petuity of our institutions.
DEMOCRAT.
Richmond, Va.