Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-07-17
FRIDAY MORNING, JULY II, 1888!

FRIDAY MORNING, JULY II, 1885.
NEVERTHELESS HE rs THE
MAN.
When the VINDICATOR some months
ago pointed out to the Democracy of Vir-
ginia the sure road to victory, through
the nomination of John S. Barbour for
Governor, it spoke simply from its judy
ment of what was best for the Democratic
party and for the whole people of Virgil
MIA. It did not do so because Mr.. Barbour
wanted the nomination; for be does not
desire it. and we publish to-day his re-
fusal. 1t did not do so because Mr..
Barbour is favorite of this journ al;
for the columns of the VINDICAToR have
never been used to obtain honors for men
simply because they were the favorites, as
the word goes, in political sense, of its
editor. 1t did not do SO because of any
claims Mr.. BarbOur's friends may suppose
him to have CD the Democracy of Virgil
mia; for sentimental gratitude should have
no obstructive place in party manage
ment and Notwithstanding all Mr.. Barbour
has done for restoring Virginia to liberty.
we should not hesitate to assist in his
rejection if he did not carry with his
candidacy the assurance of victory. Not
that we do not, in common with every
Virginia democrat feel, and deeply feel,
the weight Of the great obligation the
Democracy of Virginia owes him, but
when political organization, in time of
action, commences to debate at the forks
of the road, whether to follow sentiment
or victory, it had better sit down and wait
for miracle to save it; for only miracles
can meet such folly. The VINDICAToR
has urged the nomination of Mr.. Barbour
because such nomination is peculiarly
fitted to every phase of the present poll
tical situation, and because as mat
ter of fact that nomination has already
been made in the hearts and, far better, in
the common sense of the People. With
such leader there is the same stimulus
to the individual voter, that there is to
the private soldier in following a general
who has never been defeated We know
that there is a certainty after the fight
that all our toll and labor and marching
and countermarching has not only count
ed, but that we have something to show
for it. From the day the domination is
made. the Democracy of Virginia is dead
sure OF the control Of the State for the
next four years. 1t is this feeling that Is
already in the hearts of the people and
that will bring out the largest Democratic
vote that has been cast in the State. A
specimen of the feeling that pervades tie
Democracy may be found in this summary
of the matter in the Scottsville CoaGa2r
''The one man to make this result absolute
ly certain is the Hon. John S. Barbour He
is a great organizer. He is a full match for
the astute Republican leader He has the entire
confidence of all the people. He has the pres
tige of success, and his ability and fitness is
admitted by all. Put our colors in his hands
and he will for the third time lead the Demo
cracy of Virginia to glorious victory. The
Hon. John S. Barbour is the Curriers' candi-
didate for Governor"
1t has been said, and is often repeated
by the friends of worthy gentlemen who
are candidates for the nomination, that
MIR. Barbour Is not a candidate and does
not want it.. That is perfectly tue, but
we do not care a fig for Mr. Barbour's
feelings about the matter. In fact, we are
not certain If it is not very alIuring viz
tue in him, that he is about the only
prominent Democrat in the State that
does not want it. Our estimate of Mr.
Barbour is formed exclusively on his past
record, and we feel sure that the man who
could yield to the will of the Democracy
in 1888, and take command OF a thor
ougiily whipped and badly organized party:
lead it to a victory that made a complete
revolution in the Common wealth; abstain
flom any effort to turn that great victory
to any selfish personal account; take The
lead again in 1884 and route the enemy, is
just the sort of man who must respond to
the call of the same people, il that call is
made with unanimity at the July conven
tion. Somehow, Mr.. Barbour has always
struck US as peculiarly suited to the Free
Democracy. A Boss" is something that
the Democracy would not stand, nor could
any party in Virginia save the Republi-
can. and that only because Of the peculiar
composition of it. Between the campaigns
Mr.. Barbour makes no interference with
the affairs of the State, has no searching
or wire-pulling, no distribution Of spoils-
indeed, he is not heard from until the
next campaign comes along. When that
arrives he manages to enthuse the Demo
cratic army to the extent that they hardly
feel the strict discipline that is being en-
enforced until the victory is over and they
are again in winter quarters. He is, to our
mind. just the sort of man a Virginia
Democrat can campaign to the best ad-
vantage under.
We desire to see the silent desire of the
Virginia Democrats given voice to at the
State conventions; for without rejecting
on any Of the gentlemen who are candi
dates we can say, with certainty, that the
popular heart is turned to John S. Bar
boar.
Armed with conviction of right and
pressed with a sense of the responsibility that
rests upon us as journalists, We would be un- |
true to what we consider our duty did we NOT