Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-02-13


| The :.v1ND1oAToR, which, barring its tatsf
heresy is sound in its Democracy as Has been
than in its defence of the peoples rights
against the entertainments of privileged corpo-
ratlons, seems for the moment to have mislaid
Its jewel of consistency. For it says: 'sWe
don't care the toss of copper in the matter of
State officer, whether he be tariff reformer
or protectionist," and yet in the next breath
declares that it SHOULD be sorry to see an adj
vocate of the Morrison horizontal bill nominal
ted, " because, in short, he might be msrepre
sented by the Republicans. The V1ND1cAToR
must, therefore, appear as flot caring whether
candidate of its party is tariff reformer or
protectionist, and yet prtsferring that he shall
be protectionist. This attitude is surely re-
markable. The INDICATOR, of course, will
not discourage tens, hundreds or thousands of
people from agreeing with it, but, on the con-
trary, would doubtless be glad to secure their
approval of its petition. Suppose, therefore,
that the V1NDIcAroR should convince large
number of Democrats that it would be better
nOt W uOmIudCS supporter VI tue MOIIlSou
bill, and they should come into convention
with that ides. in mind, they would naturally
antagonize the the tariff reformers in that body
and the issue of tariff reform or protectionist
would at once become subject IF contention
in State politics. What other result would log
ically follow the teachings of the V1ND1cAroR
as found in its article from which we quote?-
Yet it is from protectionists in the Democratic
party we continually hear the appeal for toler
alton. Our friend of the Dispatch has again
and again said, and very properly said that
protectionists must not be re out of the Dem
ocratic party, and in that opinion we heartily
agree. But it is not little discouraging to
tariff reformers, who, in order to offer to the
enemy an unbroken front, are always ready in
State contest to subordinate one of the few
issues upon which the Democrats of Virginia
do not agree, to be told by the VINDICAToR,
which speaks for protectionists, that it is mex
pedient to nominate a tariff -reformer for State
office. It is thus that protectionists appear in
the attitude of asking for federation and urging
harmony and yet seeking to place ban upon
the tariff reformers in their own party. Tariff
reformers need not be expected to show for
ever unbroken patience at so strikingly incon-
sistent and unju course.
contemporary puts his pan on. Indeed he
| had already published in the extract from
| the VINDICATOR which headed his arti-
| Gle, the reasons. We said we didn't care
the toss OF copper whether the Democratic
nominee for Governor was a tariff reformer
| or protectionist, but thought the former
not best, "sanply because Of the favor
| able opportunity 1t auould giue Malone ora
| tors to raise the false charge of free trade
| and misledd Uoters apho had not informed
| themselves on the subject" There could be
no better reason given, when We look at
the slender margin of majority we are
running on in Virginia. 1t is simply that
| In filling position which cannot possibly
affect tariff reform or protection, we want
| the election of the Democratic nominee
placed beyond the possibility of a doubt.
Our contemporary must try and take our
| word for it, that such a nomination is
! necessary to bring out the vote in this Sec
ion. We are drawing no line and max
ing no division; We are only doing our
duty as member of the Democratic party
in stating the fact.
The re cent vote in this district ought
to be taken as conclusive evidence OF
what the charge of free trade can do in
district that is Democratic by 2 800 major
lty. We have no votes to lose in Virgins
and we don't want to imperiI even one
Let us all make some sacrifice to save tbs
election in Virginia; before another comes
| on, the question Of tariff-reform and pro-
lection will have been settled by congress
and Democratic President and will be
eu5 of the way We are asking you for
concession to the uniformed Of the pazsys
Very well, put it that way if you choose.
but still make the concession, for the
sake of the people Of Virginia AND free
State government for folr years. To save
this State we wonld vote for John Il. Car
Isle over Samuel j. Randall and work for
him besides.
We do not reply to your last sentence
though We might; for We are too much
concerned about this matter to take any
pleasure in talking back The patience
OF the tariff refofntrs has been far from
unbroken; but no doubt many of our side
have been quite as impatient, and at all
events what we want now is union.