The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-10-19

past. we can trust them. and will be willing
to award them all the credit that is their
due and the reward to which they will be
They ave settled the debt question by
bin that will meet all the expenses of gov
eminent. pay the interest accruing. and
give to the public schools the funds the
Constitution devotes to them. They have,
at the same time, reduced the rate of taxa
ton 20 per, cent, upon II reduced assess
ment of property.
They have abolished the whipping post.
They have removed the restriction on
the ballot, and made it free, so far as the
Legislature is competent to do so, and Will
complete the work in November next by a
popular verdict
They have restored to the Public Schools
the moneys illegally taken from them, en-
larged their usefulness. inspired confidence
IN the system. and placed them upon an en-
during and progressive basis.
They have introduced legislation to
break up the court house rings, simplify
proceedings in the chancery courts, guard
the rights of creditors and debtors and
force the speedy settlement OF all Irrigated
eases. so that the rights and interests of all
may be subserved and JUST ce melted out to
each
They mean to remodel and reform the
road laws. so that justice will be accorded
all classes of citizens and public burdens be
justly and fairly distributed.
All these things have been declared for
by the Republicans of the State, but at the
close of every contest they were further
from their attainment than at the begin
ming. Not until the revolt against the
iespotism of Bourbonism brought into ac-
tive and vigorous existence the Readjuster
party, could any impression be made upon
the serried ranks of the party that had in
hicted them. All that could be done has
been done to reform the abuses, and it re-
mains for the people, and more especially
the Republicans. to say whether the great
and vital work is to be consummated.
Independent of all these great interests
affecting State legislation and State welfare
growing out of legislation, the Republicans
have found an ally in the Re-adiusters in
contending for freedom ofthought, freedom
of the press, freedom of speech and free
dom of the ballot. All Republicans have
fresh in their IN ;nds the prosecutions and
prescriptions and wrongs to which they
haye been subjected, simply because they,
in the exercise of their judgment, chose
to pass an opinion upon public measures
and policies different from that the domi-
nant State party professed o think right
Upon public questions, which have two sides
to them-on which it was natural for
persons to differ. because Republicans hap
peDed TO believe one way and express that
belief publicly, they were denounced in
the bittertst and coarsest terms, and pro-
scribed and ostracised in their business and
social rt lations. Against this kind of tyr
anny and barbarism the Reaiiusters have
made common cause with us, and by united
action in November next, one great truth
of Republican government and American
civilization will be indicated, and that is,
that one class of citizens have as many rights
as another under the laws. and that in the
expression of their honest convictions MS to
public measures and policies, they shall be
protected and respected.
How any Republican can hesitate mo-
ment TO join in with the Readjmsters in this
supreme struggle for personal and political
liberty we cannot understand. With the
wrongs he has endured and the insults and
taunts 10 which he has been sub ected, be-
cause of his party belief and identity be-
fore him. we cannot understand why anyone
of them can refuse to strike the death blow
to the most corrupt and oppressive tyranny
that ever afflicted people. Not to do so,
they W i'll prove false to themselves, to the
State and to posterty. The result in Nov.
next is 10 be far-reaching, either in the in
erests of Liberalism or Bourbouism, and all
that they mean. If I'VE we fail it will be follow
ed by rule more despotic and vindictive
than ever before. If we win it will be the last
of the petty tyranny under which we have
suffered. and give assurance that Virginia
intends 20 be free, with welcome to all,
from whatever section and of whatever po-
litical belief.
Let there be one supreme, aggressive,
determined effort and the cause of right, OF
truth. of Liberalism will be triumphant, and
the sacrifices we have made for opinions
cause of our defence of our honest convic-
tions. will not have been in vain, but from
them will springup the fruits of enlightened
government, progressive influences and
Astounding prosperity.