The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-07-03
What of Virginia ?

w Hat Vi VII EiAiu
When the Republicans assert the claim
Of the electoral vote of Virginia for
Blaine and Logan, they are met with a
sheer from our Bourbon friends, and an
incredulous smile from those who do not
take the trouble to look into the facts. 1t
is possible that such a result may not at
tend the election in November next, but
all the probabilities sustain the assumption
that Virginia is reallya Republican State
that the popular vote will attest this, and
that with free ballot and honest count
the Republican column will be swelled by
the electoral vote of this Commonwealth.
Let us glance at the history OF parties IN
this State since and including 1879. In
that year,the Coalition carried the l4egs-
lature by something like twenty on joint
ballot. but all their measures OF reform
were defeated by the vetoes OF Gov. Hol-
liday.
II. 1880, there were two Hancock Elec-
toral tickets and one Republican III the
field. The Readjuster ticket received
80 900 votes in round numbers the regu-
lar Democratic 5000, and the Republicans
"a 900. The anti-Bourbon strength us
then polled was l14,000 against $4,000
Bourhons-or majority of $4,000.
In 1881, the contest was square one be-
| tween John w. Daniel, the Democratic
candidate for Governor, and w. +. Came
ron, the Coalition candidate. The result
| was, Daniel received 10000 and Cameron
| liz, 000-a majority of $4,000. Notwith-
standing this there was a considerable Re
publican detection. influenced by Gen.
Wickham, who voted for Daniel, and who
announcedpubIicly that he intended to do
so.
In 1882, John 4. Massey was the Demo
cratic candidate for Congressman-at-largc,
John S. Wise the Coalition candidate, and
J. w. Dawson, colored, the Straightout
Republican candidate. Massey received
96, 900 Wise 102, 900, and Dawson 4.5O0-
giving an anti Bourbon majority of 10000
! Tile Coalition also carried five OF the nine
Cong ressional districts, electing Bowen
Libby, Hooper, Mayo and Paul to Con
gress.
| In 1883 the contest was for members OF
! the Legislature and State Senate. The
aggregate vote was, in round numbers, fol
the Democrats $4,000 for the Coalition
127, 00O-a majority for the Democrats OF
II 900. OF the Democratic vote. it was
claimed by Gen. Wickham that q, 600 were
Republicans, and conceded by Democrats
with whom we have conversed and whowert
privy to the counsels and workings OF the
canvass, that there were over $4,000. TAKE
this vote from the Democratic column
and it leaves $4,000. and add it to tht
Coalition column and it gives $4,000, OF {
majority of $4,000.
1t will not be doubted that the Straight
out Republican vote will be cast, with very
few exceptions, for the Republican nomi
nees for President and Vice President
and that the full Coalition vote will earn
estly and actively support that ticket
The open declaration of Republican iden
tity by the Coalition State Convention OF
the 23d of April, 1884, has had the effec
to unite and crystalize the Coalition ant
furnish the assurance that the Readjus
tiers will be as true to the pledges glvel
by the delegates in that body as will b'
the Republicans themselves. We can MOI
only safely count on the full Coalition
strength of 1883, but the Straightout Re
publican vote, and added to this may bt
counted an encouraging per cent. OF Dem
ocrats who will cast their first Republican
vote in 1884 A fair inference from Thu
strength as measured between the two
parties in 1879, 1880, 1881, 1882 and 1888
leaves no doubt that the Republicans ar
from 10000 to Is, 900 stronger III the State
than the Democrats, with reasonable
prospect of gaining not less than 5000
Democrats on the issues and candidates
which will be presented in this campaign
The aggregate vote of the Stale is 800,
600 in round numbers. In 1888, there were
polled of this Oil 900, OF $4,000 less thar
the full voting strength of the State O
this contingent vote we are very sure mo-
less than one-half is Republican, so thai
with the efforts which may be put forth t.
augment the vote. the result cannot be IN
favorable to the Republicans. SO taking
the most adverse view of the situation. tht
probabilities are all in favor OF Republl
can majority of from 10000 to $4,000 IL
November next. In fact, the reason Of
the case justifes us in the conclusion thai
the Bourbons will be nnable.to bring Out
as strong a Democratic vote as they dc
last year. The influences which operated
in that contest cannot be duplicated IL
this-the effect wrought cannot be re-
peated, for the people will be prepared td
resist and counterfeit all such intlamma
tory appeals and vicious devices as con
tributed to Democratic success in 1888.
In no boastful spirit and with no desire
to mislead or misrepresent merely for
passing qualification, we honestly believe
that with proper effort and organization
the Electoral vote of Virginia can be giver
to Blaine and Logan in November next
1t will require work to do it-incessan'
and well organized effort. With such in
strumentalities Virginia can be rs safely
counted on for the Republican ticket a.
any other State classed with the doubtful
1t is with the Republicans to determine
whether such consummation shall be re
allied. 1t is promise worthy of thu
most ardent and persistent endeavOr Of
every friend of American interests an(
| Ctata Yrocnnritv and we'll calculated tn in
spire confidence and stimulate effort.
4 "Another Bolt"
] Ever since the nomination of Blaine and