The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-07-13

We're we called upon to give a diagnosis
OF the present condition of the Democratic
party of Virginia we would be compelled
to express the opinion that Mr.. Massey is
master Of the situation and is as well forti.
fed Boss as ever directed the destiny Of a
political organization. Notwithstanding
the fact that the State Central Commits
of that political persuasion was to have
met yesterday to officially and formally
declare policy, MIR. Massey coolly an
nounces himself a candidate for Congress
man-ot-large, in opposition to the party
with which he but recently co-operated and
thus by implication challenges the Rour-
bOns to dispute his claims. The public
charge has been made that last spring a
conference was held at the st. Clair Hotel,
in Richmond, between Mr.. Massey. or some
representative man for him, and some of
the recognized leaders of the Democracy,
in which it was agreed that if Mr.. Massey
and his special friends would successfully
oppose the enactment OF the Land Com
mission Bill, the Circuit Court Bill and the
Re-apportionment Bill, then the Bourbon
wing Of the Democratic party would sup
port him for Congressman-at large. Mr..
Massey effectively carried out his part of
the programme, land nov the other contract
ing party is called upon to faithfully CON-
ply with its part of the agreement. We
have Democratic authority for this stat.
ment, substantially. We know nothing
about it from any other source. But tie
fact that its accuracy has never been
brought in question--not even n doubt cast
upon its verify by any Democratic Jour
nal-the inference is unsuitable that 1t is
true. The further fact confronts us, forti-
flying this conclusion, that number of the
papers which have been the most denun-
ciatory Of Mr.. Massey, and of the leaders
who have in the most Incorporate terms re-
Elected upon his political virtue and in
tegrity, have declared in his favor, thus
practically condemning themselves and ar
raigning the sincerity of their own mott ives
and actions in the recent past. 1t is true
that there are number of Democratic
journals in the State which now as bitterly
oppose him as they did before the alleged
bargain, but tn is may be accounted for up
on the assumption that they were not privy
to the dicker-were not trusted with the
secret. 1t may have been assumed that the
ignored class could be brought into terms
by the pressure of the necessity of the case,
and that gratitude arising from the pre-
sumed service rendered by Mr.. Massey
would suppress any rebellious spirit and
virtually command obedience to the under
standing entered into. "
Be this as it may, Mr.. Massey holds the
key to the situation, and unless some, to
US, unexpected manifestation of indepen-
dence occurred yesterday, at the meeting of
the State Central Committee, he will as
sumo the bosship of the Democratic party,
and be successful in driving the last nail
into its coffin in November next.
We sincerely comm isserate the deplora-
BILE condition of our Democratic friends
To be compelled to support Mr.. Massey will
be terrible hum iliation to the "best peo-
ple." who have so consistently and invaria-
bly, maligned him and held him up to pub
lie scorn and condemnation. All their for
i'd defamation about honor and truth and
virtue, as peculiarly and especially appaea-
BILE to themselves, would prove to have been
so much sounding brass and tnkling GYM
bal, and the heroic tr ats they modestly
claimed as exclus lively theirs by divine
right were muck and mushroom.
We await the developments of yesterday
with some little solicitude, not that they
will have any material bearing upon the re-
suit in November next, but because of the
pitiable plight they may place some of the.
pinks Of consistency who have exhausted
the vocabulary of the fish-market in de-
nouncing Republicans and Rea,justers on
account of the coalition of last fall, and the
prospective cooperation this fall. 1t will
be amusing to witness their gyrations as
they gulp down their crow, and declare it
the most savory dish they ever tasted, Just
as they did in 1869, with Walker, and in
1872, with Greeley.