The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-06-29
The Fall Election.


the approaching Congressional elections.
The lines will be drawn, not between DEM
ocrats and Republicans, or Readjusters and |
Funders, but between the Liberal and Pro- |
gressive sent iment Of the State and the re-
dictionary and obstructive methods which
have heretofore characterized the Demo- |
cratic or Conservative party-Liberalism
VS.. BourbOnism. 1t may not be that all
who really sympathiZe with the enlightened
policy of the Republican party OF the coun"
Try will unite on the Liberal side IN this
contest, nor that all who may be properly
classed with Bourbons be ranged under the
opposing banner. 1t is conceded that the
result of the election for COngressman-at-
large will determine the comparative
strength of these two forces, and that
that result will carry with it posi-
tive influence in every district in the
State. 1t is the shaping of that contest,
therefore, that must control all who wish
to secure the final and complete over
throw of Bourbonism in Virginia, and the
emancipation of the South from its harmful
rule. ~ l- '-
The Readjusters and one wing OF the Re-
publican party have recently united In re-
commencing Capt. John 8. Wise as the
representative of the coalition forces. and
| to that degree have indicated the character
| of the canvass they mean to conduct, and
the policy they will support. Mr.. Wise has
been one of the most vigorous and effective
advocates of liberal thought and methods
in Virginia-has identified himself with
the progressive influences which are now
shaping the destiny Of the country and
| giving an enlightened Interpretation to our
| political institutions. He has been bold
and aggressive advocate of public educa-
ton through the public schools, and the
building up Of that system to such de-
gree of perfection as to open the school
house in every corner Of the Common
wealth where there is child to instruct
and develop. He champiOned the repeal
of the whipping-post law, because it was
opposed to every instinct OF humanity, and
every sentiment of christian civilization,
and was monument of the bad faith of
the Commonwealth. He has advocated the
the repeal Of the capitation tax restriction
on the ballot, because it violates the pledge
of the State and is In conflict with the genius
ofour free institutions ;.andhe will make this
issue one of the first and most important
to be passed upon by the people in the No
vember election. He has proclaimed for
the purity of the ballot, the unembarrassed
exercise of citizen rights in its. use, and
every immunity and right that the laws
and Constitution of the country assure and
provide. -sss.4 5yx5 1888 Iont
These questions directly affect the inter.
nal policy of our State, for the reason that
laws had been enacted and methods en-
couraged and adopted which directly assaulted
the public schools. and were gradually and
r nsiduously undermining them, and even
arousing the hostility Of those who were
the immediate beneficiaries OF them es'
, tablished the whipping-post as means Of
: petty vengeance and punishment, and witt
: the capitation tax restriction, imposed s
e condition upon the ballot, which amounted
to practical acknowledgements. a violation
J of the national Constitution. and the con
+ tract of the Commonwealth as incorporated
] | in the State Constitution Of 1869.
These are questions affecting Virginia.
interest as they stand elated to NatiOna
q policy and admin istration, which he sup
ports. He has dec Jared for the protection
of home industries and the building up o.
home manufactures, through the protec
tive policy. He favors the national bank
! ing system, as that which secures to the
a regulating the basis Of business by me
dunn of exchange reliable and certain, an(
espec tally protecting the masses In thu
q guarantee of the government that dollar
: in paper is equal to one hundred cents, 18th
out discount or depreciation.
These various propositions relating t.
State and National policies are what consti
tute the creed of the Republican party
. and whether Mr. Wise and the party Il
which he holds nom inal relat ions recognize
:, them as such or not. is Of very small mo
ment. Parties are organized, primarily
for the accomplishment of results, and i
. legitimate means are employed to reacl
y them, it is not essential that they should b.
: known as the outgrowth Of one nominal
ism or another but 1t ia practical polite
for all who agree as to the results desired t,
unite their strength to elect the candidate
. who favors them. And practica politics
the secnrement of beneficent results, i
craftsmanship.
Whoever may be the representative mai
of the Bourbon interest, in the contest TO
b the position of Congressman-at- large, will
= necessarily be opposed to every proposition
we have above suggested. Whether in hi
individual views or not he may be in sym
pathy with Bourbon record upon these
i questions, his success will be the success o
Bourbon policy and the defeat of Liberal
ism in its every phase. Should Mr.. MASSEY
: be adopted as the candidate Of the oppOsi
: ton, notwithstanding his identification
; heretofore with the Readjusters, his cleo
J, ton would be no less a Bourbon triumph
: and Liberal defeat. His endorsement by
that faction of the Democratic party would
only show that coalition is the order OF thu
' day, and that if it is iustifiable in one pc
litical interest, it would be made 80 In an
j other. The differences between him ani
II them have been and are as direct and hos
: tile as ever existed between Republicans
: and Democrats, whether Readjuster Oh
t Bourbon, and whether the opposition pre-
? sent him as their candidate or not. they
r have so far committed themselves to the
e policy. as to demonstrate that they will re-
] sort to any device or comb ination to secure
D the defeat of the Liberal forces, and what
t they represent, and regain their lost power
D 1t is to be contest between Liberalism
8 and Bonrbonism whoever may be the op-
e posing candidates, and whatever may have
:, been their antecedents, and it is between
= the progressive and enlightened influences
: and purposes of the one ard the reaction.
d airy and obstructive methods of the Other
that the people have TO decide. 1t matters
!, not what the opposing forces may call them.
: selves, the ideas upon which the lines are
S to be drawn are distinct and without con.
: fusion. They are in all respects what Re.