Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-11-24
Fair Count" Frauds.
ADDRESS FROM MR., MASSEY CLAIMING
THE SEAT IN CONGRESS AND PRoPOs-
ING PLAN TO SECURE THE EVIL
DENCE OF FRAUDS PRACTIC-
ED BY THE COALITION
ISTS

r, the Conservative Democratic Voters of
Virginia:
Fellow Citizen, = The political campaign
which closed on the 7th of Nuvem Der.
1882, will be long remembered as one of
the most important, both as to It's charac-
ter and its consequences, which was ever
made in this Commonwealth, and I con
graduate you upon the gallant fight fight
you made, aud the great benefits which
must result from your patriotic devotion
to those principles Upon which free repre-
sentative government must rest.
You may he denied the privilege of reap
ing the just reward of your labors for a
brief period. The State canvassers or
"Returning ;oard," will, suppose. give
Cap. John S. Wise certificate of cleo
ton rs congressman at large from Virgin
Ia If | could believe INN fairly and hon.
estly entitled to it-that he WAS elected by
majority of ihose who were legally enti-
tied to vote-I should bow to the popular
will without murmur. This. however,
no intelligent man can believe after calm
ly and impartialiy exa mining the evidences
of fraud and illrgality which are being
furnished from almost every county and
city in The State.
These frauds were not the results of
thoughilessness, indiscretion, or basty,
IupuISItt dCttull, Uut u udGuI0 UuOuXuI
and determined purpose.
SHALL We tamely submit to them and al
low their perpetrators to enjoy the benefits
of their own wrongs?
l answer. No!-emphatically, No!-and
believe you will endorse the answer.
There is heroism in submitting quietly
and meekly to affections, and even wrongs,
| which we are unable to avoid or redress,
but We forfeit all claim to sympathy or re-
spect. when we tamely surrender to them
without using legitimate means to relieve
ourselves of them when those means are
readily available. II submission under
such circumstances might be excusable
VIII its consequences only affected US IN
dauidually it cannot be so when it DAM
ages others as we'll as ourselves and i'm
prrils liberty itself The frauds which had
been planned before and were consummat-
ed on the day of election were wrongs not
only against each of us Individually, but
against the whole State. 1t therefore be-
comes our imperative duty to ourselves, to
our families, and to the whole State. to ex
pose these frauds and to save ourselves
AID our country from their evil conse-
quences; an Iappeal to every good citi-
zen of Virginia to aid in this patriotic
work.
Not having the shadow of doubt that
| have been elected congressman-at large
by large majority of the legal votes cast
the right OF Captain John s. Wise to seat
in the next Congress of the United States
if he receives certificate of election az
such.
1t will be impossible for any one man to
perform the labor which contest in the
whole State imposes in the limited tims
allowed for conducting it. l must there
fore rely largely upon the voluntary assis-
lance of friends drought the State have
ample assurances that this will be cheer
fully rendered This assistance, to be val
liable, must be intelligent, active, syste.
matte and prompt. 1 therefore suggest
that
l Democratic chairman of each county
and city secure the appointment Of ju-
dicious committee in his county or city,
one of which Committee shall be a com.
petent lawyer
2. That this committee appoint some &C.
tive and competent person in each town.
ship of its county or ward of its city to
obtain and furnish to it full information
of every case of fraud or illegality com
mitted in the election.
8. That this committee put the informa-
ton thus obtained in PROF er form, con-
densing il as far as practicable, and for
ward 1t and the name OF some competent
lawyer who will assist in taking deposit
tions in his county or city to Hon. A. M.
Kelley, Richmond. Va.
By the adoption of this or some similar
plan we shall be able to act systematically
And by thus dividing the labor it will be
comparatively light upon all. and can be
quickly performed.
O'ber States have set us noble examples.
Their eyes are now upon US. Shall we dis
appoint their just expectations. or chow
ourselves worthy descendants of our illus
triOus siresP
Your obedient servant,
JOHN E. MASSEY.
Ash Ld,Un. November IT, 1882.