Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-12-04
ngratuIatOry Address from'the Democratic
State Committee.


Democratic party of the State upon the
great and signal triumph at the polls in
November. The charge of intimidation
made by General Malone is met by pub
location of the figures, showing largely in
creased vote over any previous election in
| the history of the State. In reply to the
charges made by General Malone of sys-
tematic murder, bloodshed and intimida-
tion in Charles City, Halifax, Hanover,
Floyd, Augusta, Madison and Lee counties,
and the city of Danvilie, the committee
shows that the increased Coalition vote in
these counties, compared with 1892, aggre-
gated 2,500 The specific charges of out
rage in these counties are separately dis
cussed and shown to be without founda-
ton.
The address claims that Virginia is by
history and conviction Democratic State,
and that the miscarriage of the Democratic
party in the elections of the last few years
was solely due to division in its ranks
which had been produced by difference of
opinion on the State debt. "That vexed
question:, the address maintains, as no
longer political issue. By the resolution
Of the Democratic party at their last State
convention 30 acquiesce in the settlement
made law by the last Legislature, and pro-
nounced constitutional by the Supreme
Court of the United States, that question
has been taken out of politics in Virginia
With the removal of this issue the only
proper reason for the existence of the Read
juster party disappeared
The causes which led to the political rev.
olution in the State are thus stated:
ga Legislature pledged by its majority
in advance to obey every mandate of par
ty caucus sitting only to register and trans
NIT the DEGREES of its master; the executive
and judicial offices greedily seized by the
dictator's personal adherents: blind loyalty
to one man set up as the solo test or fitness
for positions of trust; the asylums for the
insane, those touching monuments Of the
public charity, and the free school system,
that nobler monument of the public wis
dom, thrown in to swell the dirty heap Of
party spoils-so much of this wild revel of
mock craftsmanship has passed into history.
What was Observation-Disclosures of
congressional districts and judicial circuits,
repeal of municipal charters, usurpation Of
the powers long vested in chancery courts
to control, through their own commissioners,
judicial sales of lands-all this was intend
ed to fix, confirm and perpetuate the power
of the autocrat this new DR.. Francia."
After stating that sit will always remain
question of doubt which party obtained
an increased vote in tho State in consa-
quence of the accidental and deplorable en-
counter at Danville," the address concludes:
''The election machinery was almost with
out exception in the hands Of the Coalition
lists. Their registrars and judges commit
ted many illegal and fraudulent acts, which
in due time will be brought to light They
registered illegal and fraudulent voters;
they allowed men to vote who were not reg
istered or duly transferred, the judges Of
election sometimes declining to examine the
registration-bo to ascertain whether men
offering to vote were registered, their only
test being the voters Coalition proclivities.
s'To sum up, a fairer, more peaceful, a
more legal election-so far as the Demo-
cratic party is concerned was never held
in Virginia than the election whose results
are now proclaimed"
"These results, as ascertained by a re-
turning board composed exclusively of Goa
litionists, are a popular Democratic MAORI
ty in the State of over II, 900, and major
ity of s in the Senate and of % in the House
of Delegates.
sIn bringing about this great work the
Democratic party has had the active support
of nearly all the native Virginians, who
constitute by their mind, their moral worth,
or their intelligent labor that civilization
which is the life of the State, and of nearly
all. the adopted Virginians of Northern
birth in every field, from the ingenious me-
chauics who have made the city of Roanoke
spring up in a day like creation of magic
to the capitalists, manufacturers and engi-
neers who have brought their money and
skill to share in the development Of the
Old Dominion"
s'They have in like manner had the SYM
pathy and good wishes, without regard to
party lines, or large majority of the most
progressive, liberal and enlightened people
of the North and West 1t is therefore
distinctly triumph of light and civilization
in full accord with the best progress of the
age, and not the victory of reactionary
party, which is here announced
Gin conclusion, the real truth of the mat
ter is that on the 9th of this month of No
vember the people Of Virginia rose, as pa
tent, long-suffering, law-loving, American
freemen will always rise, against outrage
and opprCssion-a majestic spectacle for all
lovers Of civil and political liberty in every
part of this abounding land. The fulness
of time had come, the petty dictator had
played out his selfish and reasonable game
till even the blind could SEQ that bitter end
which short time ago only the wise could
predict
"Then came the uprising of the people in
their might. Then came that resounding
voice of Virginia, uttered with all its vol
ume, with all its power, with all the ear
nestness of men who knew and felt that the
struggle was for good government, for hon
est administration, for the peace of their
homes and the security OF their rights. Let
the people jealousy guard the liberties thus
restored TO their keeping"
Malone cracks his whip, orders his men
to align themselves, and to be ready to fol-
low their leader. Couriers have forwarded
to the radical camp with instructions to
seek admission for all who are willing to
give up their personal liberty and exclaim.
master, lead on, I'll follow thee to the last
gasp."-Shen0adoah Herald.