The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-07-17
A Fair View of the Issue.

Lexington and assist in the formation OF
Blaine and Logan club Being unable
to be present. he sent the following letter
Colonel Gibson Leaiagtop, Virginia.
Dear Sir / have your invitation to
speak at the organization Of Blaine and
Logan club at Lexington. 1t is not pos
sible for me to attend and | write you
fully and frankly, as think it due from
citizen of your county who has an interest
in common with you.
ASH have no purpose, now or hereafter,
to take any part in State politics, it may
be necessary for me to say that my opln--
ions on State affairs are conscientious and
deep seated, and do not concur with the
declarations made by either of the State
organizations.
In further frankness / must say that
regard the habit OF Virginia politicians, OF
denunciation of political opponents, as
non-patrlotic and unWiSe, and have no
taste nor training for debate in which
the worst motives are attributed to pollt-
ical opponents, and that | regard him as
dangerous demagogue who looks down
upon man because he is uncultured OF I'M
cOuth and denies him the right OF lnde-
pendent thought land that | would name
as the deadliest foe OF society, the partl-
business Oh social, to bar another from the
God-given right to a free ballot.
Some of the happiest hours OF my boy
hood were passed working in the fields
with working men, and l have long been
| a large employer OF labor, and my aSSOcia-
| tion with men of fortune and letters en-
ableS me to judge comparatively OF the
patriotism of the classes, and am deeply
impressed with the good fortune OF a
| country that has no caste distinctions and
| in which all men are equal.
Having thus disclaimed, | may properly
say that see no reason why men of all
classes and conditions who sincerely desire
a general government which brings the
not, without prejudice or passion. consider
of their duty in the general election now
| before us. If / could give direction to
| this debate, would bring it down to the
level of everyday affairs. In discussing
| the political records of parties [ see no
profit to either There is little in war or
reconstruction to give the Republican
party the right to appeal to your sympa-
thies. 1t has been, in all these years, in
the forefront of opposition. The most
| that can be said is that it was magnani-
NOUS foe. Against the northern Demo-
cratic party it might be proven that it has
|
| friend. It's promises have borne bitter
fruit it declared to you that the contest
would be between IL united South and di-
vided North, and when the storm-stress
| was on it gave you neither help nor hope.
1 When the war was ended it demanded a
solid South for its advantage. For nine
| teen years it has kept your men, and
measures in the background. In the whole
list of candidates presented, what one had
| suffered or sacrificed foryOu, Mcclellan :?
Seymour? Greeley? Tilden? Hancock ?
When Seymour was attacked. he drew
LincOln'S dispatch about the troops he, as a
peace Democrat. had sent against you land
when Tilden was challenged, he made his
declaration upon southern claims-the
most cruel attack ever made upon the
honest purposes of the South.
1t is better to turn to the future and to
| living issues. There surely is nothing to-
day, in the position of State or Nation,
that requires man to forget his house.
hold. The discussion of d great economic
question occupies the attention of this
Nation, and even of Great Britain. In
the decision much is involved for Vir-
ginia.
Without entering upon the argument,
may lay down some simple rules:
| LIST. That freeman does not belonq to
any party.
End. That good citizen will not in
diligently vote bread away from his table,
education from his children, or value from
his estate.
| 3D. That except to those who make pol
itics a study or a trade, it is safer for Il
man to test public policies, by the effect
they may have on the interests nearest
| him. and to demand an answer, without
| avoidance, how the vote sought will affect
| himself.
Ii were to discuss men, would say
that, well as | know and much us | love
Mr.. Blaine, | would never ask you to sup
port him if did not think he would prove
the friend of Virginia. / know him to be
a great, and pure. and brave American,
| and of all public men, / have heard no one
discuss southern affairs with so much in
| telligence and kindness. | do not think
| he will need Virginia'S vote in the electoral
college, and on that account | speak more
| freely.
| believe that our material interests are
| involved in this contest. and that when
Mr.. Blaine becomes President, it will be
proud distinction for Virginia to say
| that she broke the Solid South and re-
fused to be led for the fifth time to the
Democratic slaughter-pen. And it will
| never again be said to the discredit of q
man in Virginia that he isa Republican.
| wish you every success, and will give
you every aid in my power.
Yours Truly, IT, G. PARSONS.
/ Natural Bridge, Va, July 7th. "a.