The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-09-07
The Bourbon Issue.

to make it one OF DOmDaSt, DluSter ana
Misrepresentation. They were driven to
this because of the absence of any princi-
| pie or policy affecting either State or Ma
tional administration upon which they could
take position. They do not pretend to
| contest single act of legislation which
| their opponents have contaminated, as it
relates to either State or National inter-
ests. They have surrendered their pre-
tense about the State debt and the ''honor
| of Virginia." their opposition to the remo-
val Of the restriction upon the ballot, the
repeal OF the whipping-post law, and in
fact, present no subject Of discussion upon
sition that really reaches to public ques-
| ton. They haye not the hardhood to de-
fend their own record upon the public
school question, or any Of the measures
which the Liberals have incorporated into
their creed and fixed in the policy Of the
State. These have all been in the interest
Of the People, and present such a striking
contrast to the class legislation OF the Bour-
bons the re-active influences eXerted upon
the present and future of the Common
wealth, that they do not dare to ask for
public judgment upon them. There is not
scarcely single legislative act Of their pro-
curement, which touches upon general in
terests and policy, that they have the ef-
fectlv devoid of all good works are they
so divorced from pr inciple and policy, that
they have not even formulated platform
either for the State canvass, or in any one
of tho Congress ional districts. They rep
resent party without principle or a
platform, and yet have the impudence to
appeal to the voters OF the State to again
install them in power, merely that political
adventures may be provided for. This is
glaringly illustrated in their endorsement
OF Mr.. Massey as a candidate for Congress-
| man-at-large. There is nothing in his po-
litical record that they have approved. OF
all men in the State. he has longer been
the subject of their denunciation than any
other. II what they have said Of him were
true, ne would not be recognized In any
decent public or private circle. They as
! sailed him in the same coarse and vulgar
manner that they now assail Gen. Ma
hone, and for the same reason, that he was
in their way and was exposing their inf
Gen. Malone has done and proposes ito do
| In the future. But Mr.. Massey has perso-
nal grievance to avenge, and that grievance
| is aga inst the man the BOurbons hate most
| because he has broken their power and
wrenched from their unworthy hands trusts
they had outraged and betrayed. Mr.. Mas
sey formulates his complaint to be against
Bossism-cOuld not tolerate bigger and
| brainir boss than himself, and in this the
| BourbOns make common cause with him.
He and they are willing to jeopardize all
| the good that has been accomplished for the
State within the past three years, to satiate
their thirsts for revenge upon the man
who stands In their way, and who has been
the controlling spirit in lifting Virginia out
Of the slough OF despond into which Bour-
bon ADMINISTRATION plunged her, destroy
ing ring rule and giving back to the peo-
pie the control of their own affairs.
The Boss" is the issue they make and
is the form in which they present their
grievance. Properly interpreted, the Boss
| In this canvass, means leadership. Gen.
Malone has proven himself to be a con-
summate leader. and is now demonstrating
his devotion to great cause by incessant
and untiring labor in its interest. He is
giving personal and comprehensive direc-
ton to the general plan Of operations, as
well as to all of its details, while his oppo-
nents are engaged in the congenial work of
retailing ISLANDERS and fa!sehoOds about
him and those who cooperate with him.
He may commit mistakes, and doubtless
does, but these are not to be hastily judged.
1t is not expected that the rank and file
should be familiar with all the details .of
the campaign of the General commanding.
In politics rs in war, the subordinates
sometimes think they might improve upon
the plans to be executed, but it is always
best to allow the commander to have his
way and take the responsibility. We re-
late unpleasantness, when gallant and sa-
gacious officers pronounced Stonewall Jack
son lunatic upon the eve of battle. An
impetuous and daring officer remarked to
us that Jackson was insane and ought to be
in lunatic asylum, because of an order
he had given for the deployment of bat
TALON. Within forty.eight hours, Jackson
had won great victory, and this same Of
fcer declared that he was the greatest mill
itary genius since Napoleon! 1t is this
kind Of leadership-that which brings sue
cessful results-the people accept and ap-
preciate, and whether it is called Bossism
or what not, SO the forces are well discip-
lined and the plans we'll arranged for sue
cess, it can stand the assaults of the little
captains OF tens and twenties, and their
subservent and yindlctive tools.
This is not canvass for the benefit of
men personally. 1t isl contest of Liberalism
as represented in free schools, free ballot and
popular rights, against Bourbonism, which
stands for all that is obnoxious to The spirit
OF Republican institut ions and the promo
ton of the interests of the people. 1t is
not whether Gen. Malone is a Boss, or
whether John s. Wise shall be elected to
Congress, but whether the arrogant and in
solent family rings and clans VIII ch ruled
Virginia to her ruin, are to again domi.
nate the State, or the People assert their
authority and the majesty OF their power.
So far as we are concerned, we care not in
dividually for any man who is candidate
for office. except as he represents what we
believe to be right In State and National
government. There are men opposed to US
in this contest for whom personally we
have as kindly feelings as we have for
come of those we are now supporting, arising
from long and intimate social intercourse |
But this is not the issue. 1t is whether the |
good that has been done for Virgin shall |
be perpctuated or the State thrown back |
into the old ruts, and the progressive influ-
ences set In motion, checked and reversed,
to the great harm of the Commonwealth.