The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-11-27
Mr.. Blaine.

Every Democratic paper we examine
contains TRADE of abuse of Mr.. Blaine
because of his Augusta, Maine, speech,
recently delivered. 1t is probable that
the time selected was inopportune. 1t is
further proper to say that the temper dis
| played was unfortunate. The allusion to
the fact that many of the Senators and
| Representatives from the South were Of
| ficers in the Confederate service was out
OF place, inasmuch as they are citizens
Qualified to vote and hold office, and it
should not be regarded as an offense for
| their constituents to designate them as
representatives in the national council.
But the central question presented by
Mr.. Blame cannot be dismissed with a
sheer and an epithet. When he referred
to the manner in which elections are car
ried in some of the Southern States-the
means employed to secure Democratic
electoral votes enough to elect President
and control the government, he opened Il
question of portentous interest and fear
full significance. 1t is a question that win
not down at the bidding of partizan scrib-
blers who have no higher aim than to ex-
cite prejudice and in1ame passion one
that is pregnant of great danger to the
country, and should be discussed dispas-
sionately and nationally, SO that the public
judgment, both South and North, be in.
diligently and wisely passed upon it. 1t
is question that has to be settled sooner
or later and settled in accordance with the
laws and constitution, or tt ouble, which
no man can now measure, will come upon
the country. Bitter denunciation of Mr..
Blaine, and slang phrases applied to the
Republican party, will not dispose Of an is.
sue that involves the cardinal principles of
Republican government. and the rights of
the citizenas guaranteed by the fundament-
al law of the country. To sneer at and trifie
with such momentous question is next
toiinsanity. The integrity of the nation
the oneness of the goyernment-aye, the
existence of the Republic itself, might be
jeopardized BY lightly and contemptuous
treating amatter Of such serious import.
To our mind it is a question that calls for |
the most deliberate and wisest statesman
ship and sterling patriotism of this nation
to adjust. and adjusted it must be or the !
American people may be launched upon a |
sea.of troubles that no man can now faith
ON. Mr.. Cleveland himself seems to have |
taken in this question, in an interview
published elsewhere relating to the colored |
people, when he said so far as the new !
administration Is related to this subject.
the Whole country can he sure that the law.
full power and Jurisdiction Of the Execu. |
tive VIII be SO exercised that the rights of
all citizens, white or black. under the con-
stitution and the laws, viii be preserved
and protected, and all the advantages to |
which they are entitled by reason of
their citizenship, viii be secured to, them. :
This may be construed to. cover the whole
question-to NEAR ali that the emergency i
requires-ths right to vote us one pleases
ard 20 have the ballot counted az cast
The power rests with the governments to
protect every American Citizen in the
exercise OF his lawful rights-to enforce
The Constitution in its, tsne intent and
meaning. and with that secured the whole
question will be disposed of. !