The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-01-17
Reorganization.

I Mr.. Editor = In your last issue there
appeared communication headed Pro
posalS for Reorganization, and signed "A
Republican from 1865 to 81 which, tho
[ cannot agree with the position taken by
the writer (which is against any attempt
to form q better organization of the forces
opposed to Bourbonism), yet challenged
my admiration by thevigor Of it's language,
and the ability displayed in maintaining
the position taken by the writer.
AS | understand from the communica-
tion to which | have alluded, the writer
contends as follows First, That no reor-
ganlzatlon is necessary or even practicable.
Second That the Coalition between Re-
publicans and Readjusters is intact and
thoroughly organized, y sc. Thirdly, That
If question arises at Chicago as to which
set OF delegates should be admitted-Re-
publican or Read uster-that the Read
justers will undoubtedly be recognized.
And Filthy, he says, that parties grow and
are not made.
( Now as to the first position taken, viz !:
That no reorganization is necessary or
practicable. apprehend that the writer
cannot be acquainted with the sentiments
entertained by a very large portion of the
Liberals whether they be of Democratic
or OF Republican antecedents. | think it
is improbable that the writer can have
mixed much with the people during the
last four OF five months.
When he does so, he will be very quickly
undeceived. He will see and feel that
there is strong demand for reorganiza-
tion-a demand auhich. If aaaheeded, aoau
surely destroy all prospect to future success
to the Liberals.
However, dis this is simply matter of
oopinion-you and holding to what l have
lust said, and the writer and perhaps others
holding contrary views-nothing can be
gained by mere reteration of our opin-
ION, no matter how positive the terms in
which it's expressed. | will, therefore.
pass on to the next proposition which "a
Republican from 1865 to '94' makes, viz
That the Coalition between Republicans
and Readjusters is intact and thor
Oughly organized"
This, too, is merely a mattersof opinion,
but In this case the writer gives some fio-
ures which he thinks go to prove his prop
osltlon and also to prove that the Coalition
party is the most powerful party in the
State,
To prove this he shows that at the cleo
ton last fall, the Coalitionists cast 127. 900.
which, he says, is the largest vote ever be-
Tore cast 0y any party in holly contested
election in this State.
votes was a large vote to be cast by the
Coalitlonists after the repeal of the poll-tax
prerequisite had set so many Republican
and Readjuster votes free politically.
In 1880, the vote cast in this State in OPP
position to the Bourbon Democracy was
about III ,0Q0-that is $4,000 Republicans
and $4,000 Hancock Readjusters Since
then the requirement of the prepayment
OF the poll-tax has been repealed, thus in
creasing the Republican vote, white and
colored, at least 10000, and the Readjuster
vote presumably in the same ratio. which
would be about 10000 votes additional
Now this would be an increase OF at least
40, 1000 by the repeal Of the poll-taX pre-
requisite, which, if there had been good
organization and perfect harmony between
the different elements opposed to Bour-.
bonism. would have given us a vote OF
ISL 900, which we ought to have gotten,
instead of 127 900 which we did get.
1t these figures be right, we failed to |
get about 10000 votes which we ought to
have had if there had been harmony in our
ranks and which, by-the-way, would have |
secured the State to the Liberal party by
about as large majority as that BY which
we lost it.
Again, does "a Republican from 1866 to
'94" remember that in 1859, over thirteen
years ago, and when. our population was
very much less than it now is, the Repub- |
licans cast over 101 900 votes for III. III. |
Wells. and that, too, when, as the writer
himself admits, many republicans voted
for Walker.
Now allowing for the natural increase
of voters arising from the largely increased |
there ought to be largely over
10000 Republican votes in Virginia,
which added to the 10000 or $4,000 votes
which the Readjusters claim they cast for
the Liberal candidates. ought to represent
our voting strength, if perfect union ex-
listed between the elements composing the
to Bourbonism.
Again, the writer shows that the high |
est vote ever given, for the Democrats in
Virginia prior to. the election last fall, was
! 40, 900 for Tildenim1876. Now, with this /
fact. staring us in the face, what must be
thoughtof the thorough organization, Of