The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-03-27
Communicated.

COMMUNICATIVE.
Editors Vattey Firgintdn:
/ My friend who signs himself Vox Iopuli in
| your last issue appears like many others 10
mistake the present expression of repugifance
| to machine politics and machine management
in our State, as only an expression of what il
has pleased them to call Straightoutism and an
idle and profitess contest for legitimate author
ity and regularity, and that it was the work of
Mai. Dezendorf
AS one who did not in any, way take part in
any StraightOut movement, but who cordially
sustained the Coalition in ali State elections.
and yet who recognized fully the legitimacy OF
the committee now headed by Maj. DezendoTf,
l can appeal to former letters in the VIRGIN
Ian and private letters to the editors, and to
many others, to show that our efforts and
did not appear clear until the letter of your
Harrisonburg correspondent suggesting two
conventions, at the same time and place, and
conference and joint ticket. l at once sug-
gested the matter to Col. Brady with whom
was IN correspondence, as way out of the diff
| Far, very far was 1t from being cause of
| the wide spread dsaffection in the party, u
mere want OF attention to regularity in a call.
MANY OF the causes have been most ably
stated in the editorial columns of the VIR-
GINIAN The reckless manipulation of eau
cuses ana conventions by Federal office holders
| in the past has been bad enough when ali
nave been Republicans, and differing as they
did, could never entirely lead estray. or misrep-
resent the wishes OF the constituent body.
| How much worse is it now? When under the
sway of a bold and daring leader who is not
even q professed Republican, ana who yet, is
| endowed with o power unheard OF before in
Virginia over the Federal appointments in the
| state, that is alike dangerous to the party and
most demoralizing in its effects and repugnant to
every right thinking man. With apparently
! full power to remove any Federal officer or ap-
| pointment of any man whom he may name, is it
| any wonder that he should exact full and exact
compliance with all his demands, and be so
unwilling to listen to the "Reminiscences of
| constituents and TO the advice of friends?
and much Would be- bSpe aff q sne
| to lead to any good results. But what can we
hope for? For two years we have witnessed
the determined efforts made to secure full con-
troll of the party machinery by our Senior Sen
ator and steady effort to undermine the in
of the State.
One after another has been removed from
office or legislated out. and their places filled by
men who never were and are not to-day Repub-
licans, and many Of them who even voted
against our last Presidential ticket.
Was 1t for harmon y? For the good of the
supposed common cause? Was 1t that we
might present united front in an impending
| National contest of vast Importance to our
| State and common country? No sirs, it was
not, but rather repetition of that fatal and i'll
| starred policy which rent the Readjuster party
in twain, and which wrought the signal defeat
| of last NOV. Failing to note the example of the
eminent men who before him in striving to
euen to note the true significance Of that defeat
aolich atlde7 aUiSer leader could, e0ents have
turned be used TO bring about most glorious victo-
| ~. He needs it not and shows once more that
| incapacity whichhaS twice 1mperiled his par
| ty. and STRENGTHENED the distrust which is
| everywhere felt. For it is felt even by the
men who have been most devoted to him.
What could have been his motive in declaring
/ to us that there was no longer any Republican
| party in Virginia, and telling us that we must
disband our Republican organization, and as in
! this county seeking to bride our chairman to
do so by the promise of reappointment to his
| office II he would do so?
Why should he have vehemently opposed
the resolution of the Coalition State Central
| Committee, Qrregularly called though it was)
to make this call one for Republican State
We think we know Why's but it is not the pur-
pose of this letter to enter upon that field.
| under such management? Then I would ask
| VoX POpuli if it will help us to surrender ana
bow down, and declare ourselves bond slaves of
| ours, and they have brought disgrace upon our
| party to degree which will prevent under any
| Already we have seen in many parts of the
| State prominent Readjusters leaving their par
| tial, thinking men, doing the same Perhaps
| Vox Popun thinks as some other very sincere
ton April 2srd in Considerable numbers, they
| can influence its actions But let him consider.
It is made large and o nnWieldly we in
| test against continuance of such deStruc-
tive policy. Other counties could do the same.
| We are met with the most completely organ
lied body of office holders that have ever dig
nified Virginia convention, and perhaps what
proxies under the direction of an able chief who
is not of us or for us. Can we be for him?
victory SO much to be desired is only possible
Citation of the differences Every effort made
appears to have been spurned. That earnest
know and the evidence will soon be spread to
the world. No truer Republican lives to-day
much. He, like myself was an early Republic
can, taking part in the first organization of the
Now, as to the 127 900 voters, one of whom am.
They are often paraded. Who owns them?
'h here oS Of way
in their claim that as they have aided the Re-
adjusters in all State contests, that now If ever
the latter should come out in the broad Nation
al contest as Republicans +?
Separately but united then they cast 81 000votes
in 1880 and several thousand of these are believed
| to have been Republicans dc ceived by the in
famous circulars scattered broadcast over the
State, professedlywith the sanction of the Repub
| licanNationalExe So rapid has
been the disintegration under the perverse per-
vote IS not we believe, more than 1900. But
really what occasion is there for a Readjuster
party in Virginia any longer? Is it that the
Senator's power may be continued by a contin-
uance of the ambiguous attitude he occupies
in the Senate at present?
see him vote against the administration upon
a check being extended to his present vast
power over appointments?
He could do so without any violation of any of
his public utteranceS, we think.
Our party is one professedly of principle.
Honor and dignity alike demand that it stand
true to them and make no surrender to achieve
temporary advantage. Proud Of its achieve
is true to itself. 1t has. marched over once emf
nent leaders, when they have faltered by the
way side.
Personal rule or bossism has been signally
rebuked in New York, Pennsylvania, MINES
sofa and in Michigan, and to-day our party in
those States is stronger for the right decision
of a contest forced upon it, 1t will be so here
If worthy of its name and history.
Through it's National Conventions it has de-
clared i'll favor of reform in the civil service and
laws have been enacted which ought to be
check to all efforts at packing conventions and
delegations by Office holders.
Now in view of the record, how it sounds for
the men who engineered the Hancock and Eng
lish farce in 1880, and whom no man believes
would have been other than Hancock and Eng
fish men had they been elected, to call Repub-
licans who were then now opposed TO such
masquerades, ''asssistant Democrats"
They made a desperate effort in 1880 and near
ly succeeded in deceiving National Com
mittee as to their strength and purposes. And
now appear ready with new scenery and stage
dresses to repeat the action.
There seems to be no alternative but to have
two conventions. The Republicans of the state
VIII be well represented, we doubt not, on
April 30th. j. w. PORTER.
Charlottesville, March II, 1854.