The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-04-24
Communications.
For the vIRe1N1AN.l
SoUTHsIDE, VA, April s, 1884.

SOuTHSlDE, VA.,'ApIli Q, Ioof. :
The discussions and disagreements now
so manifest amongst gentlemen in the Re-
publican party in Virginia, are enough to
stir the blood of any man who earnestly
loves his State and desires the welfare OF
her people and the development of her re-
sources. Instead of calm reasoning and
business-like calculations aimed for the
overthrow of a common enemy, it seems
that the personal grievances of few gen.
tlemen are to handicap great cause and
drag down the interests OF the working
people, who are alone to suffer because
certain big men are not measured by others
to suit their own imaginative standard of
greatness. God forbid that should say
one word to wound the feelings of any old
Republican may their last days know
none of the sorrow of the past. And yet
how can one reconcile the acts of some of
them with true patriotism The dissat-
iSfed gentlemen who take such high
ground are for the most part men who
have already caught dame Fortunes
golden smile, y and have no fayors to ask
at the hands of any. They know not or
seem to care nothing for the lowly men
who constantly hear the dnathenG nldTuss-
GthG of Democracy, whose lives are con-
slant trial of their integrity. Having
tempting offers of REsPECTABILTTY and
work on the one hand, and cOntumely and
social degradation on the other. God only
knows the bitter sorrows and heartburn
ings which many Republicans have been
called upon to endure, and yet we see gen.
tlemen whom we would be proud to honor,
willing to secure Democratic success rather
than see themselves sighted.
Is this patriotism ? Is it manly ? Or
generous L tell these gentlemen to weigh
yUon hoir otc m hn
result. What does the interests Of a few
amount to when the State of Virginia is
about to be turned over to a revolutionary
party Of Democrats, whose only aim is
power and whose only creed is pelf.
The acts of the last Legislature show
that the only difference between 1884 and
1861 is, that then they had their muskets
and knapsacks buckled on, while now the
very same spirit is manifest, choosing to
slaughter Virginia Office holders, from the
judicial bench, to the day laborer, instead
of blue-coated Yankees.
Seeing these things, it becomes every
Republican to choose We this day whom
We will serve.o There is, nor can be no
middle ground. "Whomsoever is not for
us is against u.s." The party lines must
and will be drawn and the hosts marshaled.
What matters it to any honest Republican
who desires success because he believes it
is right, who carries our banner to che
forefront? On the one hand we hope for
freedom of speech, a protection of our
persons and property by the law of the
land, and to worship God under our own
vine and fig tree with none to modest or
make us afraid" On the other hand, to
contemplate the success of the Democratic
party, we see nothing to hope for, except
the still further elevation and aggrandize-
ment of the ''best people" and an aris-
tocracy established by which nonee dare
he ''bend the pregnant hinges of the kne g.
that thrift may follow fawning.n There
is nothing amusing in politics, and it
becomes more serious as we study it's diff
ferent phases. A man should look at il
as he does at other business matters and
determine where his interests lie. If our
people would only do this and inform
themselves intelligently and vote their
honest convictions, Virginia would be a
free State. We will soon see knocking at
the door of a National Republican Con-
vention sight as wonderful in politics as
was the conversion of Saul. Men who a
few short years ago were breathing out
threatenings and Slaughter against us.
are to-day ready to assume our name and
aid our cause, praise God. Instead of
placing SentinelS at the door to forbid their
reception, we should, like the father of
the prodigal, run out and meet them and
embrace them, and slaughter the fatted
calf, calling together all the elements of
our own party, hold grand jubilee of re-
Jolclng over our brothers who were dead
and now live. Perhaps as some say Mr..
Malone is somewhat arbitrary, but hoqei-
fais est errdre. Who is without some faultY
Have any of his rivilers ever led any to
victory? Who else has done for Republic
cans what he has done? ''By their fruits
We shall know them'' OLD STAGER.