Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1884-09-19
Boss BarbOu's Edlct.
Fredericksburg Standard. ]

treueflckSDurB obdnudAu'J
Now, was there ever a party
more completely bossed than is the
present Democratic party, and was
there ever boss who exercised
his authority with such disregard
of the rights of members of his
party than Boss Barbour? There
must be no joint discussion in this
contest. Why? Boss Barbour says
tits because the Republicans charge
that the State was carried last fall
by reason of the Danville riot
and because the Senate made the
riot matter of Investigation. For
these reasons the Republicans have
placed themselves outside of the
pale of Democratic recognition.
This is what the Boss says, and all
unprejudiced people must admit
that it is such a loose excuse that
it amounts to no excuse at all.
The fact is, Mr.. Barbour knows
that the State was carried by his
party because of the Danville riot.
Mr.. Barbour knows that the State
was flooded from one end to the
other with circulars giving an
excited and exaggerated account
of the riot, and calling upon the
white men Of Virginia to stand
and vote together for the preserva-
ton of the State, in defence of
society, and for the peace, safety
and protection of their families.
Mr.. Barbour knows that these
things worked up the mind in fever
heat and thousands in the State,
under this pressure and excitement,
were induced to vote the Demo
cratic ticket who would have voted
the Republican ticket if left to their
own sober judgment. If these
thing we're not so, and if Mr.. Bar
bOur did not know these flaming
and false circulars would help his
party, why did he have them prin-
ted and sent out in such large num-
Der all over the State? Men were
employed to distribute these things.
They were distributed at churches
and funerals, anywhere and evey-
where where men could be found.
The distributors of these circulars
moved rapidly and distributed
them freely. They travelled on
steam cars, steamboats,, ia vehi-
cles, on horseback, and on foot,
and never did a slave carry out
the orders of his master more faith
fully than these persons carried
out and obeyed the orders Of their
Boss. And now, after the villain
Gus work was done, and the object
in view was accomplished, Republi-
cans are not to be recognized be-
cause they affirm a truth-that the
State was carried last fall because
of the Danville riot.
Mr.. Barbour knows that this
reason is a shame and pretence.
He does not desire joint discus.
sions because his party has no
platform, no principle, no policy
that it can present or defend that
are worthy of public support: He
knows his party are divided on
all the leading questions and
would appear at great disadvantage
when this disagreement is brought
out by our speakers in joint debate.
That is what is the matter with
Mr.. Barbonr and his reasons for
for the edict he Just issued from
headquarters. We are of the
opinion that the public will place
but little confidence in a party
seeking public support that refuses
to discuss great principles with its
competitor. No it is an evidence
)f weaknesS-an evidence that they |
cannot stand to have the mask
in which they appear
before the country.