Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1884-06-20
Stand FearIessIy by Friends

1881 for Cameron anu lcSioi"VuiOi
they had the unqualified and posi-
tive support of the administration.
Success crowned our efforts and
Virginia reaped benefits therefrom
beyond her most sanguine expec-
tations. A perishing school sys-
tenn was quickly restored. Interest
obligations were promptly met.
Asylums were enlarged, and jails
emptied of lunatics. Bank debts
we're liquidated, assessments were
fixed upon a cash instead OF a
fictitious basis. OnerOus taxation
was reduced from 90 to 40 cents
A depleted treasury was made
plethoric. Government expenses
were cut down nearly 100000 the
first year. Restrictions upon sutf-
rage we're removed, and every
thing went so smoothly that moth
ing was left the broken down
aristocracy but to pilfer the name
of democracy and declare in con-
vention their entire acquiescence In
all that had been done.
Without the support of the
federal government these things
would not have been accomplished.
At the beginning of this contest
Garfield was president with Blame
as his Prime Minister. 1t was
Garfield who advised republicans
through Hon. John F. Lewis and
others to join the coalition"
When Arthur came into the execu-
tive chair he pursued vigorously
the policy which Gar6eld's admin
istration had inaugurated toward
Virginia. Blaine approved and
aided the coalition while dissent
ing from the proposed debt settle
ment. This was the only difference.
On this last account, funderism
of that day extolled and exalted
Blaine. He was solicited to be-
come their guest at Richmond, and,
in making a business tour of our
state, he was met at stations and
towns with hurrahs of welcome.
At StauntOn General Echols intro
dued him as a model of statesman
ship and personal integrity. At
Winchester his name was emblaz-
oned on immense bills of the
"She nandoah Valley Agricultural
Fair"
Since that time Blaine has written
a book. Among other interesting
subjects, he treats the Virginia
debt question. He says the state
was divided by the power of the
federal government for the benefit
of that government in time of war,
and that it is the duty of the federal
government to pay the debts of
both the Virginias. This does not
suit the bourbon aristOcracy. They
hold that States rights are viola
ted, and such is their bOurbonism
that they would impoverish every
body but themselves, as they did
in 1860, rather than have any as
sistance from the government that
recognizes an obligation to render
it. They thought they had faith
ful ally in Blaine. Now that they
see that Blaine meanttO be friend
to all Virginians, and not to their
class alone, they despise and de-
nOunce him.
Blaine gives assurance that he is
impressed with the true condition
and needs of tho State that gave
birth TO the Union Of which he is to
be the president. That assurance
appears in his great book written
when he knew the Ieadjusters of
Virginia were for Arthur against
the field for president.
What democrat takes this view
of affairs in Virginia ? Cleveland,
Bayard, Flower, and every effort,
by speeches and money, to make
Virginia settle by the terms of the
New York brokers' bill, and to this
extent they are against Virginia.
Make any of these president, and
the power of the federal govern
ment will be used, rs it was by
Hayes, to pauperize and bOurbOnize
Virginians. Bayard'S Norfolk
speech against us as repudiators,
the action of New York democracy
in trying to make their state Hugh
McCullough's snitOr against Vir-
GINA, aud Flowers check for
money to help crush us in the last
campaign are not to be forgotten
now.
Let us then be called by what
name sOwever may be chosen for us.
We have been called by all the
vulgar epithets which tongue and
dictionary could supply. Repub-
lican is good enough for all who
would maintain their rights against
aristOcracy and oppression. 1t
was the name chosen by Jefferson