The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-11-13
Democratic Methods.


Notwithstanding the warning contin-
ually given throughout the. campaign, the
Republicans of the 10th District allowed
themselves to be deceived by lying circu-
lars at the very close of the campaign,
just as in 1855 they were deceived by the
Danville circulars. Twice have they been
fooled by precisely the same despicable
methods. In 1883, when too late to be
contradicted, the Danville circulars were
spread broadcast through the State by
special couriers, and acting upon the blind
impulse of the moment. thousands OF
anti Bourbon voters deposited, ballots for
their worst enemies. When the trick WAS
discovered. too late to remedy the evil
done. the men who had been imposed upon
were loud in their denunciation of the
means employed to secure their votes, and
boldly announced that never again would
they allow themselves to be influenced by
such contemplate methods. Indeed, they
asserted that the Democrats would never
try the same trick again. But they were
mistaken. Not only did the Democrats
resort to precisely the same means as
before. but they succeeded for the second
time in securing many anti-Bourbon votes.
On the day before the election the fol-
lowing circular was printed off by the
10000 and sent by riders to every noun
tain section of the district
''MAssIE's MILL October 30th, 1884.
Va bav3 a notice thai iS being pifpu-
lated by Jacob Yost, denying having said in his
speech at Massie's Mill that decent negro was
report as lie, we the undersigned do hereby
certify that were present on the 2lst day of
in his speech that decent negro was better
than poor white trash, or words to that effect.
W. l.. HILL,
Subscribed and sworn to before me this Both
day of October, 1854. X W MAssIE, j. p.
Nelson county, Va"
No grosser falsehood was ever uttered
than the circular puts forth. There was
not one word said in Mr.. Yost's speech at
Massie's Mill, that by any fair-minded or
honest man could have been contorted
into the expression ascribed to him. The
fact that two men could be found to make
oath to it does not make it any the less a
falsehood. 1t only advertises the degrade
tion of the atlantis. Men who will DELHI
erately utter falsell0od, are base enough
to swear to it. No one but driveling
idiot would ever have made the statement
attributed to the Republican candidate,
even if such had been his opinion. All
who know Mr.. Yost are aware that his
whole life has given the lie to the state
ment of the men who signed the circular.
Neither the men who uttered the false
hood nor the men who circulated it, be-
lieved word of it. 1t was simply the
last, desperate, inscriptions resort of a
party that had abandoned the fair field of
political contest, and knew their only hope
was in foul, unprincipled means. And the
circular accomplished its object. From
all we can gather there were fully five
hundred voters who deserted the Republic |
can party and cast their ballots for the |
Democrats because of it. This five hum
lred off and five hundred on will about |
cover Mr.. fuckers majority and leave the
the uncomfortable reflection |
that they have thrown the district away |
by falling into the trap set for them.
Let them treasure the memory of this
second wrong. and adopt it as cardinal |
principle of their faith never again to put |
heir trust in Democratic falsehood circu-
ated just before the election.
OF the fifteen States that elected Legis-
atures which choose United States Sena-
;Ors the Republicans have carried those OF
California, Colorado, Connecticut, Kan
las, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York,
Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and the
Democrats those of Florida, Indiana, Mis-
,ouri, North Carolina and South Carolina.
The complexion Of the Illinois Legislature
$ in doubt. If it is Republican the net
'esult of the election will be Il gain of one
Republican in the person of whoever may
70 chosen to succeed Senator Farley in
california. If Republican Senator is
Il As,,ssa~ illinois, the Senate will remain as
t present.
Democrats of kics4pond, after growing
YER their assumed victory, nave got to
uarreling among themselves. Several
ghts have taken place. according TO the
richmond correspondent of the Peters
urg Appeal, over the claims OF a1ldlsid-
Ials. They had better sober down and go
@ work. as there is no prospect now OF
cleveland having the dispensation OF the
. 1pi. |