Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-09-04
us possible

"Once more into the breach, dear friends, once
more"
In all the years which have rolled by
since Virginia resolved to free herself from
British tyranny and established a govern
ment by the people, no more important
election, as truly says the Alexandria
Gazette, has invited the suffrages of her
people than that which the rising sun of
the sixth of November will herald. True,
the tendency of the General Government to
usurp the rights of the States was rebuked
in '98; the surging tide Of religious pro-
scription was met and rolled back in '55;
the call of a President for aid in forcing
back into the Union our unwilling sister
States, was answered by call to arms in
'61; and the fight for State credit was
bravely maintained in 10 and ST. yet an
issue, more important perhaps, is now be-
fore us. It is the naked question whether
one man is to rule us-and rule us for his
own selfish ends The young men Of the
Commonwealth should think of the treason"
unblushingly given by his supporters for
desiring to turn them over to the republi-
can party; eve are for Arthur because
Arthur is for us How for us? Canary
man point out single act Of President
Arthur which has, in any way, specially
benefited or was intended to benefit the
people Of Virginia? No such pretense is
made. The conclusion, therefore, is ire
sistible, that it means that Arthur dis
tributes patronage through the hands OF
Malone. What reason for political &C
ton Men there have been and always
will be, who will sell their votes for money
Or barter their principles for Office; but they
do it in the secrecy of the caucus and gloss
over their infamy with professions of con-
version to more enlarged views or better
political principles. Their very hypocrisy
is tribute to political virtue. But now
we have party who cast aside all the wells
ofdecency and openly profess political pro-
stitution. They serve a master who can
reward them,-''to dig they are not able''
but TO beg they are not ashamed" and
GllCy WSsb1 VIC COIldI VI UAC uOSS, dAi lICh
his feet as calmly and unblushingly as ever
spaniel did his masters. What a spectacle
for angels and for men? Citizens of free
Commonwealth ''crooking the pregnant
hinges Of the knee that thrift may follow
fawning." But how shall we remedy all
this? The remedy young men of Viz
ginia, is in your hands. 1t is organization
and work, hard, steady work, until the day
Of election. The enemy have the execu
tive; they have the county judgeships; they
have the Court of Appeals; they have the
registration and election machinery; they
have thepublic schools. They have prosti-
tuted to their selfish end every advantage
they have achieved, fortified themselves in
every position they have gained. One
more victory and they will have in theiI
hands The entire Judiciary and be able to
gerrymander us out Of almost our entire
representation in the National councils, and
thus hand us over, bound hand and foot, to
Arthur, ''because Arthur is for u.s." We
cannot believe, young men Of Virginia, that
you will submit to this. Rise then in youl
might and make a supreme effort for the
redemption Of Our good old mother; gird
on your armOr, and go forth to the battle,
and the sun of November will shine upon
the routed forces of the spoilsmen.