The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-11-19
Col. w. c. Elan.

Col. w. G. Elan.
The probable change in the management |
Of the Richmond Wing, may retire from
its editorial conduct Col. w. C. Elan, who
has been its chief editor for number of
yeas. The loss of this knightly gentle
man and brilliant writer to Virginia jour-
nalism, would be a public misfortune. In
nc State Of the Union hayesparty conflicts
been more bitter. yet in all these fierce en-
counters Col Elan has borne himself
without fear and without reproach. Bat
Ting for truth and justice and humanity,
he has led tie forces against prejudice
and passion in so fearless and gallant a
manner as to extract praises even from his
enemies and to draw TO himself the sin
cerest attachment confidence and reli-
ance of friends. He has been equal to
every emergency, courageous in every
danger, faithful to every trust. He has
discussed with clearness and power all the
great questions affecting the interests of
the people, and always on the peoples side.
Whe Q duty pointed he fearlessly led, and
in no encounter in the forum of debate has
he met bis equal during the trouhlous
times which lave been the portion of Vir-
ginia for the past decade. His arguments
for q great canse, have been met by APP
peals to passion and prejudice by
a fair measurement Of logic and reason.
There was no mist over his mind, no
falter in his devotion, no compromise of
his convictions. He recalls the better
4 days of Virginia Journalism, when the
reason Of the people was addressed and
public questions and policies discussed up
on their merits and their relation to the
public welfare. The columns of the lVTiy
have been graced by some of the most brill
liant and incisive writers of the age, but.
4 by none more forceful, convincing and at
tractive than w. G. Elan. With him there
is no one now connected with the Virginia
press, to bear comparison. AS politi-
cal writer he has few equals anywhere.
Brave, magnanimous, gifted, he adorns a
profession, in its highest ideal, that com
mands more versatility of talent than any
other calling of the times. We should regret
to lose him from the Virginia press but
If emergencies should SO decree, we trust
he may be transferred to wider field Of
of usefulness, where his conspicuous
abilities will be better appreciated and
services be rewarded commensurate with
their worth. Wherever he may go, he
| will carry with him the warmest esteem
of Virginia Republicans and be held in
the most affectionate remembrance for his
nnselfish devotion to their cause and his
courageous defence of the people 5 rights.
+. A. r.. a staff correspondent of the
Baltimore sam, has recently visited Gen.
Fitz. Lee at his home near Alexandria.
What he learned from the Governor elect
4 is given in a column communication to
the Sun. In it he reports Gen. Lee as say
ing THE Democratic party had, six
years in advance of the time prescribed by
the constitution adopted by the Conven-
ton called under the authority of Con-
gress, put the school system into opera
ton, and that party has from the begin
ming paid almost the entire cost of the
system If Gen. Lee is correctly re-
ported. it is evident that he has not ac-
quainted himself with the constitution of
the State. That instrument provided that
the school system should be put in opera
tion by the first Legislature after the rati-
fcation of the constitution by the people.
The condition was mandatory, and the
Legislature could nos have done other
wise than it did In respect to the public
schools AS to the source of the support
Of the school system, Gen. Lee does not
seem to recognize that labor produces
values and that it is as much if not more
Of the rich that the schools owe their sas-
tenance. There is no comprehensive view
Of the economy of government, in the be-
lief Gen. Lee is said to have advanced,
and given above. When he ignores labor
as q paramount factor in the production
of revenues, he confesses to a very super
fetal understanding of our institutions and
the dependence of our popular system Of
government. Labor is the primary sourc CO
of all our wealth and revenues, and with
out the brawny arm that drives the plow
. and reaps the harvest, the tax-paying class
to which Gen. Lee refers, would make a
poor show. indeed.
Gen Lee is also reported to have said
that Gen. Malone is not an able ''politi-
clan and organizer" and refers to his de-
feat in three campaigns in support of his
opinion. Well, there is nothing so sue
cessful as success, it is true, but it is
4 difficult to win against "loaded dice. y 1t
will be news to the thinking people of
Virginia that Gen. Malone is not all able
politician and organizer. !; All the en-
ginery of Bourbon partizanism has been
| directed against ''Mahone. /" He has been
the sgorgon Dire that affrighted them
in their waking and sleeping dreams, and
not until bribery and fraud supplemented
their malignant ISLANDERS were they able to
/ cope with him.
If Gen. Lee is reported correctly in the
Suis's publication, it would be better for
1 him hereafter to eschew interyiewers. His
views are open to adverse criticism and
do not present him as a gentleman who
fully understands the situation and condi-
lions in Virginia, or the methods and in
fluences which control the political organ
ization to which he owes the position he
will assume on the LIST Of January.
After all the recent election was not so
disastrous to Republicans. In Virginia
they have been relieved of the odlum of
being the negro party, . which has here
tofore been the chief weapon used against
them. Not only has the colored vote been
1 divided, but divided in a way entirely
satisfactory to Republicans. The pur-
/ ctasahle. unreliable class Of naMlV. en-