The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-11-08
The Issue of the Future.


The Issue of the Future.
Whatever may have been the result of
the election on Tuesday last, and at this
writing we do not know, there is one thing
that has been demonstrated so clearly that
no right-minded man can for moment
doubt. That is, that the methods OF cleo
ton which obtainin the State of Virginia
are disgrace to law-loving and law
abiding people. They may not be worse
than those of other States, but certain it
is they have reached such depth Of
degradation that no one who respects self,
who loves his home and the fair name OF
his city and State, can think of them with
out blush, OF fail to regard them with
unmeasured condemnation. We are not
writing as partizans seeking to obtain
party advantage, but as citizens OF Vir-
ginia interested in her welfare and de-
sirous of promoting her prosperity in ey-
cry way, when we say that the time has
come when it would lie far better for both
parties to sink into nothingness, rather
lIldu bIldu llllS COHttlllOI Va oitNuiN
continue.
The campaign just closed will leave a
stain on the escutcheon of this Common
wealth which years will not efface. 1t
marks period which every good citizen,
in his calmer moments, would gladly.have
blotted from the pages of history. 1t tells
tale of sin. of moral depravity, of the
reign of hate and horror, OF the subordi-
nation of the finer feelings, of the absence
of principle and conviction. of the disre-
gard for the material interests of . the
State, and the objects for which political
parties should be formed.
Instead of addressing arguments to the
reason and Judgment of the people, ap-
peaIs were made to their prejudices and
passions.
Instead of presenting facts and figures,
and prospective legislation measures from
which the voter could draw intelligent
conclusions and decide as to which policy
would best promote his interest us a citi.
zen and taxpayer, the effort was made to
smother all opportunity for thought in a
mad whirlpool of rage.
Instead of endeavoring to instil Il purel
tone and more elevated patriotism into
the minds and hearts of the populace, the
coarsest Jokes and most indecent anec.
d0tes interlarded the TRADES of the speak,
erS.
We have seen speakers, in this canvass
stand under the caves of Gods temple and
blaspheme his holy name.
We have seen them. in the presence OF
the pure womanhood of Virginia, helch
forth vulgarity that would disgrace bar.
room.
We have seen them, with the youth OF
Virginia around them, clearing theil
Threats for these disgraceful displays by
copious draughts of whiskey from a full
tumbler of the accused poison.
We have seen printing presses run on
the Sabbath and infiammatory circulars
thrust into the hands of the people. as they
left the church door, for political effect.
And we have seen the result of all these
in bloodshed, riot and murder.
The whole State has been in a condition
of tumult and excitement brother has
been arrayed against brother, and father
and son have ranged on opposite sides
business has suffered the material inter.
ests Of the State received staggering
blow, and anguish and gloom and desOla.
ton, have o'ersorrowed and o'ershad owed
more than one home that few months
ago was the scene of happiness and con.
tent.
The picture is sad and sickening one
to contemplate, yet such it is. And it re.
mains for the people of Virginia, those
who love their native State and are ,ln.
willing to see it thus degraded, to say
whether OF not it shall be duplicated in a
magnified form with each succeeding year
for the longer it is continued, the more ap.
palling it will be. This is a question
that rises above party. Itappeals to every
man, irrespective of political utilization,
whose family is dear to him and who has
rights of property toprotect. 1t is ques-
tion of law against riot; of society against
the rule Of mobocracy of the church
against barrooms ;of integrity against cor
ruption OF Judgment against prejudice
of reason against passion of patriotism
against partizanism, and of a government
of the people, by the people and for the
people, against rings and cliques, against
whiskey and it's malign influences, against
the foul use of money and the moral de-
bauchery of a Commonwealth.
Whichever party may have gained the
ascendancy, let 1t be required of it to in
troduce purer methods into the admins
tration of government. and whichever
party shall have been defeated let it be
known that it's defeat is eternal until it
shall show itself worthy of the confidence
of Virginia 5 people. i"
There is an under current in Virginia
to-day which is growing stronger and
stronger with each revolving sun. 1t is
adeep rooted conviction which will make
itself felt in future elections in this State.
1t will not be Influenced by name it will
not be swerved from it's purpose by ieers.
1t will demand that canvasses shall be
made Oh higher plane that the men who
make them shall not owe their candidacy
to the agency of whiskey land their election
to the efforts of political bummers and
strikers. 1t will demand that corruption
in high places and corruption at the polls
shall cease. 1t will demand that legisla-
ton shall be made for the benefit of the
people and not of classes, and it will de-
mand that the interests of the State shall
take precedence of the interests of party,
The occurrences of this campaign, and
of the past week especially, will but quicken
into organized action the enemies of the
methods that have recently brought such
disgrace and shame On Virginia.
At meeting held in Birmingham. Ala.
Saturday, of large number of representa-
tive colored men of that section of the
State called to express the sentiments of
the colored people on the decision of the
United States Supreme Court on the civil
rights act, resolutions were passed de.
nouncing the court and condemning the
act as q deception to the colored people,
Mr.. J. H. WEIGH, chairman of the meet
ing, in speech advocated the cultivation
of more friendly relations with the whitoo