The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-04-10
Unhealthv signs.

Sk<~CSlk 0ClAtOA0A IA OAtO VI tAA0
I'm counties during the canvass Of 1881
~ Mr.. W. A. Fernald, then Collector Of
Internal Revenue for the Danville Dis
riot. The object of the reproduction at
his time of the utterance of an insane
nan three years ago, is not very clear,
unless it be to accumulate matter for an
appeal to race prejudices in the approach
ing Presidential contest. Mt. Fernald is
now an inmate of the District of Column
Dia Insane Asylum and has been there for
several years. At the time of the delivery
Of the speech referred to he was regarded
by his friends as unbalanced in his mind.
An inspector Of the Internal Revenue De-
partment. who happened to be in Danville
a short time previous to the max
ing of this speech, so reported to the Depart
ment. His conduct was such as to excite
the apprehensions of all concerned about
him. At times he was violent in his man.
ifestations and without any reasonable
provocation would fly into uncomfortable
rage with those around him. The senti-
ment and language of the speech were
condemned by political friends and foes
alike, and no reasonable man either then
Or since has been disposed to hold the
party responsible for what Mr.. Fernald
said, in the peculiar and unfortunate con-
dition In which he was then believed to
be and is now known to have been.
This publication isapiece with a state
ment that is going the rounds Of the
Bourbon press Of Virginia as to what a
colored man should have said somewhere
in Eastern Virginia about the colored peo-
pie appealing to dynamite to correct al
legged or real wrongs. If such an utter
ance was. made BY q colored man, it would
be prima facie evidence that he was a
crank and more fitted for,a lunatic Asy-
1um than the public rostrum, and no just
man would be disposed to hold the ,colored
people, as race, responsible for it. The
Vissdicator of last week makes brief edito-
rial reference to it, not in the impartial
spirit that journalist should do who
wishes to convey to his readers fair inn
preston of public events and occurrences,
but more as partizan and for par
titan effect. We have never passed
through heated political contest that
we did not hear Of foolish utterances
and ungnarded threats from persons
who did not reflect public sentiment and
for whose remarks no party could be justly
held responsible. If the mouthings of ex-
cessiye passion and the open declarations
of irresponsible partizans should be taken
as the expression of an entire party and
as rejecting tho purpose and intention
of whole organization. then. indeed,
might community feel insecure and the pc-
litical forces of the country regarded only
as bands of incendiaries ,waging crusade
against the peace and order OF society and
the very framework of Republican insti-
buttons. Isolated, insane expressions OF
reckless, unbalanced individuals, are, for
tunately, mot accepted by sensible men
and we'll meaning citizens of either party,
as the guage by which to judge political
movements or the objects for which par
ties contend. There is enough OF conser-
vatism among the people to tone political
methods and restrain the spirit Of violence,
as general rule, and it is this that gives
assurance. that whatever may be the spas
modic excuses, in the turmoil and excite
ment of the campaign, eventually the COM
mon sense and common justice of the peo-
Pile will be asserted in the interest Of good
government.
1t is not a healthy sign, however, that
the incorporate and illogical utterances Of
acknowledged cranks and diseased minds
are resurrected and sought to be
passed off as the sentiments of par
ty by persons in positions Of educa-
tors of public opinion. To our mind it
is a gross and wicked peryersion Of the
mission of journalism-an inexcusable be-
trayal of great public. trust. to seek to
infame passions and dethrone reason by
such appeals as the recent publications to
which we refer, indicate. 1t will, in
deed, be a sad day for the Common
wealth. and for the country, when
parties reach to no higher standard Of po-
litical morality and are swayed and con-
trolled by influences SO. hostile to the public
welfare. We hope for better things, and
that the attestation Of popular intelligence
and conservatism will be given in the le-
gitimacy Of the arguments and the honesty
of the methods, which will be observed
by the opponents and representatives of the
two great political forces which will be
engaged for the control Of the national
government.