Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-10-02
Attention, Democratic Readjusters.
''sToP AND THINK BEFORE YOU FARTHER
COZ
"Now is the accepted tirne...

We would call earnestly upon all honest
Democratic Readjusters to ''stop and think
before they farther go'' on the road to the
Stalwart Republican party. 'Now is the
accepted time" for them to prove their
sincerity, their consistency, their fidelity,
and their devotion to their Democratic prin-
ciples.
Observation-Disclosures friends,-we say
friends, because many Of you are our best
personal friends, whose friendship we high
ly esteem-we would invoke you to do your
selves the justice to vindicate your consis-
tency, your honesty, and your patriotism,
and in addressing you would adopt the fol-
lowing admirable article of the Richmond
Dispdtch:-
"When you became Readjuster you had
no intention whatever of becoming a Radi-
cal Republican.
When in 1877 you went into the Conser-
vative-Democrati State Convention, and
voted in favor of making General Malone
the regular nominee of the Conservative
party for Governor of Virginia, you never
for moment contemplated the possibility
that you would within few years find
yourself acting in concert with the Repub-
licans whom you had so often assisted to
defeat at the ballot-box.
When in 1879 you entered the Mozart
Hall Convention and applauded General
Malone for saying that he would be will
ing to pay per cent. interest upon the en-
tire State debt of thirty-two millions of
dollars, you did so without even so much
as dreaming that you would, because only
of the course of the Funders relative to
the State debt, stray off from che Demo-
cratic party and land in the Republican
party.
When in 1880 you denied that you had
deserted the Democratic party, and claimed
that Cameron, Riddleberger, John S. Wise,
Mayo, and the others composing your cleo
toral ticket, were the real, genuine friends
Of Hancock and English, and the real, gen.
uine opponents of Garfield and Arthur, you
did not anticipate that in 1888 you would
be s'for Arthur because Arthur was for
you" Did you?
When in 1880 you cast your vote openly
and above-board and in good faith for
Hancock and English, and told everybody
that you were Democrat, you did not ex
pect that in 1888 you would be so circum-
stanced that you could not or would not
tell whether you would or would not vote
in 1884 for the regular Democratic nominee
for President of the United States.
When you voted for the last Democratic
nominee for President of the United States,
you ardently hoped that you would be al
lowed an opportunity to vote for the next
Democratic nominee for the same Office
What has caused you to feel so differently
to-day?
When in 1881 General Malone declared in
the United States Senate that he was bet
ter Democrat than Ben. Hill you applaud
ed him for his declaration and maintained
that he had told but the simple truth-that
he aoas better Democrat than Mr.. Hill.
He is now the ally of Arthur, Grant, Conk-
ling Simon Cameron, and the rest of the
Stalwart Republicans. Are you still fol-
lowing him? If so, why?
When in 1881 Colonel Cameron (now
Governor) insisted in his speeches before
the people that General Malone had in eff
feet cast but one vote with the Republicans
of the United States Senate, and left it to
be inferred that General Malone was still
a sound Democrat, you rejoiced in your
heart that so good an apology could be of
fered for General Mahone's apparent ALI
ance with the Republican party. Why are
you not as anxious now that his skirts
should be as clear of the sin of sympathy
with the Republicans?
Do you not see that you have been grad
ually weaned from your attachment to the
principles, policy, and men of the Demo-
cratic party? Do you not realize that lit
tie by little you have trod the pathway that
ends in the Republican camp? Do you not
feel that you have been tolled along, almost
without your own recognition of the fact,
until soon, unless you ratrace your steps,
you must take the fatal plunge which will
land you in the Republican quagmire?
Now, when and where are you going to
stop? Have you made up your mind to
join the party of hate? If not, how can
you longer continue to counteuance the Co
alition into which you have been led?
Where will you stop? Can you hope to
reach better halting place? Let the word
of command now be, "Right-about face. ="
Can you find any better pivotal point
Isn't it clear to your own apprehension
that you must return now or never? II
Malone is defeated this Fall, you will be
too proud to desert his colors and enlist I'M
der the banner of the triumphant Democra-
cy. If he succeeds, you will hardly feel
like marching over into the camp of his de-
moralized opponents. Then, determine at
once that you will resume your place in the
National Democratic party. It is your last
chance