Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-10-15
Address of the State Executive Committee.
To the Democratic Voters of Virginia:

10 the DeneOcfdt1c FOteTS OF YUglntu:
The Democratic State Executive Com
mittee, in view of the general Interest con-
nected with the pending political canvass,
and the important results involved in the
approaching national election, are impelled
to invite the serious attention of the Demo
Gratis of Virginia to the status of its political
affairs, and respectfully to urge the full
recognition of the patriotic duty which
rests upon them to perfect that thorough
organization and earnest preparation for
the conflict which always constitute the
most certain guarantee of success.
The confidence which has been created by
the signal victory of our party in the cleo
of the knowledge of it's capacity to produce
similar results in the future, but at the
same time this sentiment must not be too
much relied upon and is subject to the quail
ification that these favorable conditions can
only be maintained by the employment OF
the same effective agencies, and the exer-
else of the same unceasing efforts on the
part of our political associates.
In politics, as in war, too much conn.,
dence is a source of danger, and often opens
the way to surprise and unexpected defeat
The Democratic party of Virginia has too
much at stake, both in the present and
future conduct of public affairs, to relax its
efforts to carry the State for Cleveland and
Hendricks, and the Congressional nominees
! in the several districts of the State, at the
November elections; or to permit the VIC
tory to be snatched ANONYMOUSLY from Its
grasp through apathy or indifference: 10
paraphrase the remark Of Thomas Jeffer-
son, Continued vigilence is the price OF
| safety"
The position of Virginia in the Demo-
cratic column of the Union must be retain
ed or the old State will reverse It's past
traditions, and imperil to great degree Its
present and future prospects of moral, So
cial and material prosperity. Our very
civilization is at stake We cannot afford
to give the State up to party whose whole
stock in trade consists of two elements, VIZ:
the negroes, whose support is claimed for
the Republicans as of right, and the white
office holders who owe an allegiance to
their superiors which no argument can
reach.
Not content with the platform and prln-
ciples of the national Republican party, the
management of that political organization
in Virginia, through its chosen chief, has
descended to the low plane of attack upon
the Democratic party in the allegation that
the result of the last election was brought
about by preconcerted plans to intimidate
the colored voters by violence and blood
shed, as manifested by the unfortunate
riot between the races at Danville. This
malignant charge is not only without
foundation in fact and in truth, and unsup-
ported by any evidence which could infiu-
ence an impartial public sentiment, but is
brought forward only to infame the passions
and prejudices of the colored people, to in
| I. l,o.r Of
in mass against the Democratic party, and
to excite sectional animosities elsewhere.
1t is but repetition of the policy pursued
by the carpetbaggers of past years, in which
the negroes were sought to be used by con-
centration to dominate the majority element
of the white population Of the State. and
some of the old leaders are now part and
parcel of the present movement, with new
associates in the game. The whole thing,
in substance and effect, means that mi
nority of the white people propose to COM
bine with the united negro vote to control
: the voice of Virginia. and make it Republl-
can. 1t means, also, if successful, suprem-
, acy hereafter in both State and federal
affairs, and the restoration to power of a
party whose capacity for future mischief
will be only partially measured by its past
transactions and history.
The representations to the committee are
that the opposition are actively at work
throughout the State organizing their forces
and preparing to carry Virginia in the
Presidential election. Fore-warned is fore
armed! We appeal with confidence to the
Democratic party Of Virginia, which accom-
plished such glorious results in the last
campaign, to look to their laurels and to
stand by the cause. No question of Tariff
| or Of EodoroJ yoIiou r,,uct ha 70
divide our party at this time; important and
T vital consequences to the people of Vir-
, gInia, and to the country, are involved.
!, The success OF the Democratic party and
the eletion Of Cleveland and Hendricks
will ensure reform of the federal govern
, ment, the arrest and change of corrupt
, methods of administration, and the restora-
ton of the Union as founded by the fathers of
the republic. To attain this result there is
every incentive to eXertion on the part of
the Democratic party of Virginia, and its
failure to respond at this crisis of our polit-
ical fate would be a source of incalculable
, future loss, and of permanent State and
national injury.
The county committees throughout the
State are appealed to in the most earnest
} manner to organize the party thoroughly
and to adopt such measures as will best
promote success at the polls on the 4th of
, November next. 1t is especially recon-
! mended that the brief intervening period
from now to the day of election be devoted
to strengthening the party lines, and to
devising such arrangements and facilities
as will enable every Democrat to cast his
vote in the great national political struggle
now pending. The supreme effort made by
the Democrats of Virginia saved the State
last year-a similar effort now may save the
nation.
By order of the Democratic Executive
Committee of Virginia.
!, JOHN S. BARBOUR, Chairman
ALEXANDRIA. VA. Oct. 9. 1884.