The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-10-19
PEOPLES TICKET.
Can Republicans Hesitate ?

The Norfolk LedgeT. tree to Bourbon
tactics and instincts, has deemed it proper
TO refer to the senior editor of the VIR-
GINIAN and the POSTMASTER at Stanton"
in coarse and vulgar terms, such as no
one conscious of the rectitude of his own
motives would use. 1t is part of the pol
icy of the representatives of the Bourbon
faction to question and assail the motives
of every one who does not directly or in
directly aid in restoring that corrupt, ma
lignant and unprincipled party to power in
Virginia. Had we endeavored to shape the
policy of the Republican parry so as TO have
contributed to that end, there would have
been no terms of praise too eXtrava2ant to
apply to u.s. But as we determined to sup
port the party that declared for all that Re-
publicans contended for. except as to the
debt question, and have faithfully carried
out every promis Use made, we are singled out
as an object for the slime and SANDER of
time-servng journals. and those who are
incapable of rising above the lowest parti-
zan prejud ices and discussing public ques-
when a writer or speaker resorts to epithet
and abuse and eagerly assigns mercenary mo-
tives tothose opposed to him, that at the bot
tom of his own action are precisely the influ-
ences he ascribes to others, and especially
so when he shrinks from fair. frank dis
cussion of the popular issues in contro-
versy.
We, however, could afford to allow such
dsrespectful and discourteous language, as
the Ledger chooses to employ, to pass I'M
noticed and treat it with the contempt it
deserves. And this would be our course,
on this occasion, were not the opportunity
afforded of appealing to every Republican
in the State 20 unite his efforts with the Re
adiusters, to eflectually destroy the most
virulent, inscriptions and proscriptiye po-
litical organization ever known in Virginia
or any other State.
The Bourbon record is one of startling
crimes against the people, against society,
against all the safeguards of good govern
ment. 1t has robbed the public creditors,
robbed the State, robbed the public schools,
robbed the citizen of the elective franchise.
and subordinated all the interests of the
people to the selfish and corrupt purposes
of party and to perpetuate in power po-
litical force that can point to no single act
OF its procurement that operated to the wei
fare of the Commonwealth. For ten years
its unchallenged power was directed to the
~, 90 IN aud tho
wrong of those who dared to protest against
its despotic and tyrannical methods. In all
that time it did not dare to go before the
country in manly and dispassionate discus
sion of public measures. affecting the well
fare of the people. Its stock in trade was
denuncation of 1.-THE negro. the scallawag
and carpet DAGGER appeals to sectional
and race hates-solely for the purpose of
misleading and deceivirg the people. and
erpatuating its own corrupt rule.
It trife | with the creditors, by pretend
ing to enact lie gislation recognizing their
legal claims, It made no provision to pay
them.
1t trified with the people, by promising
an adjustment of the debt, without increas
ing the rate of taxation, yet presenting an
exhibit each year Of increased obligations
reaching nearly to $500. 000-and now ag-
gregating nearly $S,000,O0O.
1t trided with the very destiny of the
State by affecting to favor the public school
system, yet robbng it of near Sl,500000.
dedicated to the public schools by the Con-
stitHton.
Instead Of building them up and educat-
ing public sentiment to their support, they
were insiduonsly and desgnedly under
mined and paralyzed, and the confidence of
the people gradually Withdrawn from them,
thus preparing for general and successful
assault upon their life.
1t fixed a price on the ballot. for the
double purpose of DISTINGUISHING those
who could not be purchased. and of
prostituting the elective franchise to the
ends of corrupt party purposes -debauch-
ing the election machinery, and perverting
one of the most sacred privileges of the
citizen. to the basest and most corrupt par
tizan designs.
1t changed the road law so as to place the
burden of the public highways upon the
poor man, who neither had horse nor vehi-
Gle to use on them. and to relieve the we'll
TODD and rich landowners of the expense
of keeping them up for their own use.
1t re-established the brutal and barbar-
GUS whipping-post, more as a means of dis
franchising the negro, than for the punis
ment and prevention of crime
1t perpetuated the system of laws by
which the estates of litigants and the prop
erty of orphans are absorbed in fees and
expense of the creditors and debtors. and of
helpless widows and children.
1t created and fostered part ian ring at
each court house, who assume all the viz
tue and decency, and denounce as da nger-
GUS to society and not entitled to the rights
of freemen all who have the courage to re-
volt against their edicts and resent their in
sOlence-the bone and sinew of The coun-
try, who make the values upon which gov
eminent is sustained and defend the flag
with their strong arms and brave hearts
when assailed.
1t is this party that it is esteemed crime
to oppose. 1t is this catalogue of wrongs
and outrages, which to question is to call
down the maledictions of its apologists and
supporters. Yet it claims to represent II e
intelligence, the wealth, the decency. the
courage of the Commonwealth, and the CIV
ilization of the age. 1t prides itself on being
the reflection of the 'best people, and all |
WHO do not submit to its orders aud obey |
its commands, are enemies of good govern |
ment and society.
1t is this party of wrongs and crimes that |
the Republicans have been fighting against
for twelve years, but without successful re- |
suits. 1t is this party that the Readjnsters
are arrayed against, and because Republi-
cans deem it wise and patriotic to join in
with the Readjusters to rid the State of the
terrible tyranny, their motives are ques-
toned and they are tainted with wearing
''Mahone's collar
Whatever may have been the re lat ion of
The Readjusters to the enactment of much
Of the legislasion complained of, is not A
matter of practical controversy now. If
Cen Malone had himself bepn tha autbor