The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-10-23
ing their party and the Protection Demo-
c,.atc fIa,1.c,

|
Gratis opposing theirs.
In the face of all this testimony then,
can anyone deny the position Of the De
mocracy on this question? This being
true why will men directly dependent,
and Indirectly dependent, on a protective
tariff for their support, vote for a party
which will destroy this dependence From
all that can see the only objection is one
founded on the past acts of the Republi-
can party in opposition to the South. Be-
cause they once differed with the Repub-
llcan party, they cannot overcome the pre-
JUDGES then formed. even when they agree
with that party on a paramount question
that concerns the very bread and meat
they eat. Knowing all this, it is the prac-
tice of the Democratic orators to cover up
the real issues of the campaign and to
shove forward and appeal solely to these
old prejudices.
Men however will say, am willing to
forget these prejudices, but l cannot en-
'dure the thought of these Radicals setting
the niger over the white people. Now
to such OF you as have listened to this ar
gument. or appeal rather, for it is no argu-
.ment, let me beseech you to think for a
moment, Just to calmly consider what can
I've the effect of it. In the first place think
over all the history you have ever read Of a
nation freeing slaves and then allowing
those freedmen to rule over them did
Sparta do this with the helots or did Rome
set up her slaves to rule her? Think,
likewise if there has ever been a nation on
the earth in which the wealth, the genius,
and the intelligence have ever submitted
to be governed by an inferior and more ig-
norant race or class Of people. Then, if
this is not sufficient, consider the absurd
ity of supposing that the large majority of
white people everywhere would submit to
any such plan. Look too at the actions of
the Republicans themselves. Do you see
any Of your Republican friends placing the
negroes above them in social OF any other
matters? Read'the recent decision Of the
Supreme Court on the Civil Rights Bill
and find there the opinions of the wisest
Republicans of the land, as to what the
law of this country is on this subject and
see if it does not forever cure you OF this
bug-bear. If nothing else will suffice re-
member that it will take years to effect
any permanent arrangement OF the kind
you fear. and if at any time, you see any
danger the remedy is always at hand and
your votes then can rs easily retire the
Republican party as now. A protective
tariff is nO,c the main issue and 1T is our
duty to decide on it and not anticipate
troubles that have but visionary exist
enee at best.
| would like to say more to you Oh other
issues at stake but already | have trans
cended my original intentions and will
have to leave you with this discussion of
this one issue. Other charges, too, against
the Republican party / might discuss as
that it is corrupt, that it has been in power
too long, and similar objections, but you
all know these have always been stock in
trade arguments for the opposition ever
since government was arranged among
men, and that on every possible. conceiya-
bic occasion from the time of Pericles and
Demosthenes down to the present day. have
been urged against the party III power by
those that were out. Whatever effect this
article may have | will consider myself
amply paid if it will only cause some of
you to think. To the young men particu-
larly, for | am a young man myself. | APP
peal most earnestly. Reflect on the issues
at stake, consider what Virginia may be
il permitted to develop under our present
system. consider what her fate may be if
set back at this time when she has just re-
covered from the effects of war, and is be-
ginning to advance again. Calmly go over
all this in the silent chambers of your own
mind with past prejudceS baniShed to
more congenial spirits and be ruled by
your own judgement, not by the warped
brains that were cast in the, moulds of a
former generation and are ever yearning
for that dead past. Live with the world
around you and Jet those that prefer the
sepulchral world Of years gone by remain
oined to their worthless idols. Remem-
Der the natural patriotism of youth and
the enduring fires kindled in early man
hood and when you ally yourself with II
party, in the name of our fair state.
in the name of her budding indus
tries, in the name of the youthful
blood that once more begins to course
through her veins and in the name of
true happiness and prosperity to our re-
united country, do not ally yourself with q
party that points to nothing but grass
grown graves, to a party that dwells
among the hollow tombs of it's own an
happy creation, to a party that does not
meet the problems of to-day and to Il party
that threatens commercial ruin to our
mother state Join yourself to the throb-
bling present, looking with eager eyes to
the yet more glorious future, and turn
away from the pilseless past, brooding
over the charnel houses of a dismal by
gone, VERITAS.