The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-10-26
A Bourbon Device.

IA bOuTDOH OCVlC6.
The attempt of few persons who have
been acting with the Republican
p arty. to divert votes from the Liberal
to se,l-styled Straightout Re-
publicans, is a transparent device to aid the
Bourbon cause. Very few colored voters
will be deceived by the scheme. They are
aware that the public schools and free
ballot are the paramount issues in this.
canvass. They know enough to know that
the Bourbons as party are not friends of
either. Their record proves this and for this
reason those who are really DESTROYS OF see
ing more liberal dispensation in Virginia
will not be led astray by this Bourbon
trick. 1t would be much more manly for
those engaged in this questionable work to
come out squarely for the Bourbon candi-
dates. instead of posing in the character OF
Republicans to carry into effect Bourbon
plans. Practically, we do not know but
what voting for straghtout is not really
better for the Liberal candidates, for if
those who may vote for straighout should
not do this, they would vote for the Bour-
bon candidates. The objection we have to it
is that they appear under Republican colors,
in an attempt to defeat Republican measures
and Republican policy. They know they cam
not poss IDLY elect a straightOut Republic
can in this contest. and yet they seek to
draw votes away from the Liberal cand-
dates, for the purpose of preventing them
from voting for the Liberal ticket.
One excuse for it is that they want to
preserve nucleus around which the Re-
publicans of the State may rally hereafter.
If the policy shall be to assert Republican
organization in the future, they are the
last men in the State who would be recOg-
nized as leaders. In crisis like this, when
all that r epublicans have contended for is
at issue, not to prove true to the cause, re-
gardless of nomnalism, will be the best ev-
| idence that could be adduced for distrust.
Nor is it likely that ninety nine one hun
dredths of the party will tamely acknowl-
edged that they were wrong, and the other
one hundredth right In the canvass now
progressing. The colored men who may
be seduced into an attitude of hostility to
the great mass of the colored voters and the
measures in which the colored citizens are
vitality interested. will not be the men
| around whom that class of voters will raj
| ~. 1t is presuming too much to assume
that the colored people are ignOra Of
what is III controversy. They recognize
hat canvass of declared Liberalism, as it
aft ects the rights of all, or embraces them,
| they know that the Liberals have restored
| the Public Schools to condition Of use
fulness. whereas they We're rapidly de-
cay ing under Bourbon admin isrraton.-
lation has been enacted looking to a free
ballot, whereas before it Was encountered
With a price. They know that the whip
ping post law has been repealed, whereas
1t was in vigorous and cruel operation un.
der Bourbon rule. With this knowledge
they are not likely to direct their votes to
condemning the party that has relieved
them from the wrongs mentioned, and plac-
| ihS III po"Ni again bbC pal WniCH ltupOScO
them.
1T is essential for the success OF Liberal
ism in the State. that verdict be rendered
this fall in favor of the Liberal candidates
will have no vote in the Legislature, VIII ere
legislatio has TO be matured and enacted.
looking to Il contamination of State re-
forms. vet the public judgment rendered
in November next will have a controlling
influence in educating public opinion and
in strengthening party power for the can
vass year hence. Defeat now means de.
feat then. Success now means success
then.
With such momentous interests at stake
comprehending the paramount and essen.
tial measures of the Republican creed there
are some who profess to be Republicans
that are IN alliance with the BOurbons t6
defeat the very policy which Republican.
have declared for ever since the Legislation
complained of was enacted into law.
There is nothing but selfishness and dis
appointed ambition in the straightout
movement in the present political condi
ton. There is no Republicanism in it, ex
cept using tie name to serve Bourbonism
This is so pl in that it needs no elabora
ton or comment. 1t is only necessary
to call attention to it, for each voter to eX.
The Bourbon papers are the straightoul
organs Bourbon sympathies are lavishly
expanded OH it. and it may be Bourbon
aid literally contributed. The proportions
1t may assume will measure its usefulness
in electng Bourbon candidates and de-
featng Liberal policy, and shaping the leg
islation and destiny of the State, either in
the interest of the party which has done
so much to Cypress and wrong the people,
or the organ ;zatIon which has tested its de
voton to the State and the rights and wei.
fare of the people by appropriate and clear
ly defined legislation.
We tell the marplots who are playing the
part of assistant BourbOns in this canvass.
that they have mistaken the temper of the
Republican voters of the State, noT can
they conceal, under an affected concern for
the Republican, party. the ends at which
they aim. Whatever may be the future re-
ations of parties in Virginia, those who
are now covertly working to defeat the
cause of Liberalism in this contest and pro.
mote that of Bonrbonism, will be judged
by the motive and clear purpose now re.
vealed. While their scheme will utterly
fail now. the Judgment hereafter will be
none the less severe. carrying with it a
condemnation that will ever hereafter
forfeit The confidence of the Republican
masses.
A Policy Wanted
One of the significant features Of this