The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-08-20
INDISPENSABLE.


We learn that Hon. R. T. Barton has
published In pamphlet form what purports
to be reply to the letter addressed by
Gen. Malone to Senator Miller. of New
York 1t will be remembered that the
paper from Gen. Malone was written in
response to request for information in
regard to Virginia politics and more par
ticularly in reference to the debt ques
tion, and was terrible, and as we con-
sidered, unanswerable arraignment OF the
Bourbons as the real regulators Of the
State. We have not seen Mr.. Barton s
pamphlet. We have only learned that it
is an attempt to justify or defend the last
Legislature in its outrageous and disgrace
full legislation and conduct. Whatever
may be the ability Of the paper-and Mr..
Barton is an able man-there is one
thing that he nor no living man can justi-
fly or defend. That is, the deliberate, pre-
determined purpose to outrage the consti-
tuition, statute law and the fundamental
principle of free government, in depriv-
ing duly elected representatives Of their
seats in the Legislature, and seating par
titan adherents who had been rejected by
the people. This was fragrant revolution
that desperate usurpation might be
reached and was reached, regardless Of
law, the constitution and the rights Of the
constituent body. In no State or country,
pretending to be civilized, was there ever
such an outrage perpetrated. A party
with bare majority in the Legislature,
deliberately and by Encouragement goes
to work to deprive legally elected repre-
sentatives of the people of their seats and
install in their places partizans who had not
been elected, in order to procure two
thirds majority. This was done, and with
the power thus acquired, legislation was
enacted regardless Of the protest of the
Executive branch of the government, and
wrongs perpetrated which ought to sweep
the party responsible for them to perdi-
tion. Not only was the manner of secur-
ing power disgraceful and wicked, but the
use of the power in the passage of acts
which unsettled the bit question, practi-
cally DISTINGUISHED one-half of the voters
of the State, outraged common decency
in placing the ballot where it could be
prostituted to partizan ends, was equally
fagitious. 1t was the brazen usurpation
Of Rump Legislature, riding rough shod
over the constitution, aco-ordinate branch
of the government and the rights and lib.
critics of the people. There was nothing
that this body did which strictly speaking
could be called legal or that could be defend.
ed in the forum of conscience and right
1t was bold, defiant. corrupt usurpation
and all of it's acts were attainted with the
fraud and outrage which gave them
power. If the people have not lost all
sense of reverence for the constitution
and the traditions of the Commonwealth
! all sense of reverence for law and the
rights of the people-lost their adherence
for usurpation and despotism of all kinds
they will surely speak rebuke in No.
vember next to the party that perpetrated
and sanctioned these wrongs, that will not
be forgotten. Such acts of usurpation as
the last Legislature of Virginia was guilty
of, are a menace to free government every
where. If it be tolerable for party tt
ride over fundamental and statute law and
seize power that the will of the people
might he thus trampled upon, the cardinal
principle of popular government con
temned, what outrages may not be done ir
the future in the name of party?
Surely the people will become aroused
to the danger of such 0utrages, and avail
of the first opportunity to stamp them will
the seal of their condemnation. Mr.. Bal
ton cannot justify the wrongs committed
by the body of which he was member
He cannot defend his own votes. He can
. not lay his hand upon his heart and say
that he did what was right in the
sight of God and man in voting to unseai
Republican members and seating Demo
cratic members in order to get two-thirds
power to override the Governor 8 veto and
enact legislation designed for partizar
ends, regardless of the rights and wishes Of
the great mass of the constituent body
These things cannot be defended or justi
2 fed by fair men anywhere, and if the peo
pie do not rebuke them it will be an invi
+. tation to anarchy which will require only
the rapid marches of time to bring to 8
3 cOnsummation.
i We assure our good brother of the Free
, Lance that we do, indeed, scout the idea
l of force or fraud in our state elections. Al
: the same time there is no inconsistency in
: saying that the people demand free and
fair election. In fact, they mean to have
it. Both parties are too intelligent and re
spectacle to make fraud in elections now