Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-08-22
ZEN. BUILER's CANDIDACY,

GEN. BUTLER'S CANDIDACY.
Ben Butler has stepped into the Presl-
dentil ring. and announces his intention
to contest with Messrs. Cleveland and
Blaine for the high honor of the Presi-
dency.
After going to the Chicago Democratic
Convention and participating in its deli
berations, he turns his back on the party
of his first love and consents to aid the
forlorn hope led by Mr.. Blaine. In his
letter of acceptance, which was gizen to
the press on the 10Th inst, Gen. Butler
assigns various reasons why he concluded
to run.
The Democratic party refused to heed
his ad vice in framing the platform; did
not declare in terms strong enough
enough against the great monopolies of
the country, and would not adopt the
tariff plank he proposed-these seems
to be his special grievances.
He also denounces in vigorous terms
the record Of the Republican party in IA
vor of Monopolies, and tears from its face
the hypocritical mask of friendship for
the laboring man, which the party is now
wearing.
This is about the only portion OF
his letter that possesses the merit OF
truth. The gist of his whole letter is that
neither of the two great parties can safely
be entrusted with the government; that
Mr.. Cleveland is not fit to to be President
and neither is Mr.. Blaine that the nation
needs Moses to lead it into the promised
land, and that Ben. Butler is the man.
The honest men of both parties need
not apprehend that he will receive sim
gle electoral vote. He has no strength
except in Massachusetts, and that State
will certainly 60 against him. We think
Butler is running in the interest OF Blaine,
hoping to draw off enough Democratic
votes in close States to turn the scale in
Blaine's favor. But this we'll laid scheme
will end in utter failure. The people are
for Cleveland and by their votes he will
I'D elected, Butler and Kelly Unjust co."
and if the Democratic party is not strong
enough to turn the Republican rascals
out, it has shown to the world that the
marplots in its own ranks shall not rule
its councils.
AN INDEPENDE CANDIDATE.
Major Jed. Hotchkiss of this place, las
announced himself as an Independent
candidate for Congress in the 10th district.
OF the causes that brought about his can
didacy, Or where his support is to come
from, we are not as yet informed. We
suppose, however, that he will raise the
protective tariff issue, as he has long been
identified with the coal and iron interests
of Virginia, and it may be their support
and encouragement that has made him a
candidate.
We deem it peculiarly unfortunate at
this juncture that any discord should be
brought into the ranks of the Democratic
party in Virginia. This is no time for
independent movements.
Major Hotchkiss has been heretofore
consistent Democrat, and we understand
still claims to be one. If he expects to
vote for Cleveland, his course is certainly
antagonistic to the party's chieftain. The
people of Virginia cannot afford to divide
on the tariff issue. So long as trace of
Mahoneism remains to remind her people
of the bitter humiliation it brought upon
them. Virginia will be Democratic and
her honest voters will let no question so
theoretical as the tariff divide them. This
paper opposed the nomination of Mr..
Tucker, and we have nothing to recant.
But it gives US pleasure to again assure
the people Of the 10th congressional dis
tict that the INDICATOR will redouble
its efforts to secure the return of Hon.
John Randolph Tucker to Congress. He
stands where every Democrat must stand
on the Chicago platform and there is
no earthly reason Why any man who in
tends to vote for Cleveland should Eefuse
to vote for Mr.. Tucker.
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