The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-08-27
Joint Discussions


will deposit. However fair and just men
may be in the business and social relations
of life, when they become leaders and pub
lie speakers representing party, there is
a proneness to make loose and inaccurate
statements If not confronted by an antag-
onist who is to respond. What the people
want is a truthful statement of the records
and policies of the two parties. This is not
likely to be gotten from those who speak
for either of the parties, if their asser-
lions are unchallenged and their under
standing Of facts and issues presented
without scrutiny. A party that fears not
the truth-that rests upon convictions OF
right. will not shrink from such a test of
its sincerity and comparison of its merits.
1t is ut right that the people should hear
both sides of every question affecting
their interests, and it is but dealing fair
with the voters that those who speak for
parties should appear side by side and give
to the public the reasons for the faith they
proclaim.
to lay before the people of Augusta the
issues of this canvass considered from
either Republican or Democratic stand
point. There was a large number OF the
voters of the county present. There
were two able. cultured and accomplished
gentlemen called here to represent the
contending parties. Both are Virginians
both had prepared themselves for discus
sion and neither could claim advantage of
the other in any of the attributes or at
| tainments which belong to a gentleman.
! Why were they not permitted to present
| the issues jointly, SO that the people
might hear and understand The Repub-
licans courted discussion. They proposed
| fair terms, and indeed were willing that
the Democrats should have their own
terms, so that the sameTrule and condi-
lions should be observed in other places,
where the same speakers were to meet
But these were declined, upon the ground
that the State Committee of the Demo-
cratic party had decided against joint dis
cussions!
And why did this committee issue such
an order? That is sufficiently answered
by the character of Mr.. Stewart speech.
From the time that he opened to the close,
he did not take up and discuss a single
practical issue of the canvass. He referred
to the Internal Revenue offices as having
been purged Of spies and informers and
honest Dem ocrats put in their places! To
the change in the Post Offices of the coun-
try from dishonest Republicans to honest
Democrats ! To the seating of Frazier and
Lady from Rockbridge, some years ago,
when the Legislature was largely Repub-
lican, as precedent TO justify the revolu-
tionary action of the last Legislature in
turning out legally elected Republicans to
give their places to Democrats who had
been rejected by the people, that two
thirds majority might be obtained. He
did not, however, explain why it was that
the declaration was made before any con.
tests were presented, that the two-thirds
majority had to be secured, and that if
there was no precedent for the methods
adopted to secure it. precedent would be
made. He denied that any Republican had
been wrongfully deprived of his seat,
and that DIR. Webb was rightfully ex-
cluded from the Senate, notwithstanding
he had clear majority of the legal votes
cast. and to wipe out this majority a whole
precinct had to be thrown out upon the
fiimsiest and most indefensible technical
ity.
Following this up he assailed prominent
Republicans who have held official posi-
tions. and even arraigued the Supreme
Court of the State as unworthy the conf
dence of the people. 1t is not strange.
after such speech as Mr.. Stuart deliv-
cred, that his friends declined joint dis
cussion. And for the very reason that this
; declination was made, should the joint
discussion have taken place. The reckless
statements uttered, and the unfair and I'M
Just assaults made upon public men called
for criticism and refutation in justice to
the people and to the gentlemen them.
selves. That the people who heard Mr.
Stewart did not approve of his line of re-
mark was sufficiently evidenced by the
lessening of his audience, and it was more
practically emphasized by the disgust and
anger of Demo who came to hear and
expected a joint discussion.
We do not regret, judging from the re-
suit of Mondays work, that the joint dis
cussion was declined. We are satisfied
that the Republicans gained and the Dem
ocrats lost by the course adopted. But
this does not affect the policy, as it relates
to what is due to the people. They want
facts truthfully presented and do not want
garbled statements nor loose and unsus-
tanned charges against party or the rep
resentatives of party. Neither Gen.
Malone, John S. Wise. Frank S. Blair, S.
Brown Allen, R. II. Farr, or any one OF
them, or all of them together, weigh a
feather in the scales with the great cause
of the people which the Republican party
represents. 1t is that which is at issue. 1t
is the freedom of elections, the purity OF
the ballot box, the public schools. indus
trial progress and Liberalism in allits COM
prehensive meaning, that the people must
pass upon. 1t is in relation to such inter-
ests that parties must be guaged, and it is
because Bourbonism dare not go before
the people upon its records as it respects
these questions, that joint discussions are
declined by the bosses who run that party.
The people want light and the party that
refuses to give it, will find cold comfort
when the popular verdict is recorded in
| November next.
Brother Button, of the Lynchburg VSr-
qirsi1,a, has been called an Ishmaelite, be-
cause, it was presumed, his sensibilities
had become ossifed, and he converted into
a very small button with little b. But
this must have been mistake, as the fact