The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-04-23
The "Plucky old Parson.

Our facetious contemporary OF the paadted-
tor is evidently seeking to damn Mr.. Mas
sey with faint praise, or in other words
cut off his head with golden ak. 1t car
ries with it u grateful remembrance OF
Mr.. Massey's diversion in 1880, by
which the party that honored him was
abandoned and through his influence sal
utary reforms defeated. 1t recognizes
that there is debt of gratitude due the
s'plucky old parson" for the desertlon OF his
political colors and making common cause
with his lefamers. but is frank to admit
that he is not broad enough for the Govern
orship, or for any State Office, elective by
the people.
The sentiment of Old King Lear la
mentation, 'show sharper than a serpent S
tooth it is to have thanllless child" finds
forcefnl illustration in the treatment Of
Mr.. Massey by the Democracy. 1t did not
have the courage to nominate him in lSS2,
but gave him an unofficial support just suf-
ficient to cause his defeat. When he made
contest before Congress for the seat to
which the people had elected John 5. Wise,
the cold shoulder was turned to him at
the crucial time, and he was left to mourn
over the false pretenses OF his allies, and
drink to the dregs the bitter cup of dis
appointment. Now when he declares
his purpose to ask for the Demo
cratic nomination for Governor, he is
quickly notified that he cannot have his re-
ward in that way-that he is not equal to
that broad field, but must be contented to
wait for a more convenient season for the
burning gratitude of the Democracy to lie
manifested in suitable testimonial for
the great service he rendered that party.
OF course our contemporary and its party
Twill never forget Mr.. Massey and what
he did for them, but hollow remembrance
without something tangible to appease the
ambition for place. would be cruel mock
cry. Especially SO. when it is known that
Mr.. Massey is growing old-that he has
but few years of active, vigorous life at
best, and that by the time another oppor-
tunity offers for practical recognition, he
will have passed the age of public useful
ness.
Parties, like Republics, are sometimes
ungrateful We have Massey, Fulkerson,
Hale, Newberry, Lybrook. Moffett Bar
bour, and host of others who are living
exemplifcations of this. But for them
and their influence the Democracy would
have been feeding upon husks for many
years to come in Virginia, But where is
their reward ? The Democratic party will
not trust them in high places. Their SER
vices were gladly accepted to boost the
ever faithful, who may not have one-tenth
of their brains and pluck, but when 1t
comes to high places in the sanctuary,
these are preempted and appropriated to the
old liners, who consider it enough that
they have allowed the indictments to re-
sumo their place among the rank and file,
there to do the bidding of the elect.
Nh. Massey has had a sad experience in
his alliance with Bourbon Democracy.
Promises and assurances in abundance
have been his made to the ear to be broken
to the hope. He will continue to hang on
the ragged edge. with the fat things "
lying in tantalizing proximity. but never
to be enjoyed. 1t is Il cruel fate. and no
less cruel party that inficts it.
1t is the truth of history that we are
endeayoring to get at in reminding the
VSaldacdtor Of its error in seeking to de-
prive the Readjusters of the credit of emp.
tying the jails of the insane. This much
it must admit Until the busters were
in control of the finances OF the State
and Massey was made Auditor there were
Mounds in the treasury to complete the
improvements and thereby make room for
the lunatics huddled in the jails The ad-
ministratiOn Of the asylum might have
been most admirable, and we have no dis
position to reflect upon it, but it was pow
erless to carry out its intentions without
money, and that money uas not @pplied
until the control Of the finances was taken
from the Democratic party The whole
case in a nutshell is: That the prisons
were filled with the nnfortunates until the
means to make provisions for their trans
fer were in the public treasury. subject to
the draft of the Directors of the Asy-
lum. The public treasury was etnpty as
long as the Democrats were in mower.
Until the money reached the Treasury the
lunatics remained in jails. Until the Re-
adjusters assumed control of the State