The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-09-03

The Washington correspondent Of the
Louisville C0au'ier-sJ Journal pays the follow

The Washington correspondent Of the
Louisville Courier Journal pays the follow
ing compliment to Hon. John 5. Wise
This young man, John S. Wise, who is
the Republican candidate for Governor in
Virginia is about as keen and smart as they
make them. | happen to know Wise well.
During the last session of Congress | was
thrown with him a great deal, and while /
could not tolerate his politics, could not
but admire the man for the bold and
manly manner in which he stood by his
principles and fought for them. l think
he has more political fight in him to the
square inch than any man in the country,
and on the floor of the House he was al
ways aggressive and never Numbered in a
repartee. This is why like Wise, for /
like all men who have principles and con-
victions and fight for them"
Every fair man in Virginia will recog-
nize the business of this reference. How
much more manly would it be for political
opponents generally to deal in the same
spirit with each other? What possible
good can grow out Of abuse and villifca-
tion for no other reason than that differ
ences of opinions are entertained upon
questions that have two sides to them,
Notwithstanding the persons differing and
identified with different party organiza-
lions, are recognized as gentlemen in the
social walks OF life, and entitled to every
respect that is due gentleman The
harm that is done the State, that is in
fiicted upon society, and every interest of
community by vulgar denunciation and
coarse abuse, is incalculable. 1t estranges
those who ought to be friends, keeps out
of the State those who would willingly
make their homes among us, were politi-
cal contests governed by higher aim and
more charitable spirit, and drives from us
the healthy and vigorous young men who
can see no promise for the future. where
such angry and illiberal sentiment is pro-
voked. encouraged and.practiced.
The great mass Of the people, we know,
have no sympathy with this method of
conducting political contests. They are
forced into it by the party leaders, through
passionate appeals and reprehensible agen-
| cies. and not until passion thus aroused
subsidies do they realize that they have
made fools of themselves and been made
the dupes of designing demagogues who
use them for selfish purposes. Do unto
others as you would have others to do
unto you is rule that is as applicable in
politics as IN anything else and only
when it is given practical application, will
the individual be satisfied with himself
and the general welfare promoted. The
calm judgment of the people will even
tually assert itself above such malign in.
fluences as are too potential in Virginia
spolitics. There is something in human
nature which responds to justice and
fairness-to conservatism in all the re-
lations of life, and the party which divorces
itself from invective and indefensible
abuse will sooner or later receive the en-.
dorsement of the people. Brave men
true men-honeSt men can afford to be tol
Grant of opposition. 1t is the only way
4 that error can be avoided and the truth
carried to conviction. Abuse never made
a convert, but it has frequently driven
men to hold to error, simply because they
have been villified in honestly maintaining
their beliefs. Reason and persuasion have
changed many mans opinions, and will
do so again, when appealed to, and it is
in this spirit that party contests should
be conducted.