Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-10-20


what Veteran Editors Say-Estimases
From Both Sidcs-The Ohio Election,
Etc.
special Correspondence OF THE EvExrxe STAR
srAUNToN, Va, October 10, lsS5.-As calm q
judgment OF the probable result OF the pending
canvass In Virginia can be obtained In this
place as In any other Virginian city-certainly
much calmer than the views reflected by dis
patches from Washington to leading news
papers claiming fabulous majorities for Lee or
wise. There never has been any chance, since
either was nominated, for a walk-over. The
conditions OF the contest and the issues forbade
anything but desperately contested field. Al
both the republican and democratic nominal
ing conventions held in Richmond in July the
ues ., was plain TO nominate candidates that
could at least hold the party strength in the
the southwest
THE CAMPAIGN GEOGRAPHICALLY.
Take the map Of Virginia and trace the Valley
turnpfke-a stretch Of ninety miles from
Staunton TO Winchester. 1t is familiar to the
reader of war history, for it suggests memories
OF Stonewall Jackson's victories and OF Sheri-
dams rush to Grants help at Petersburg. when
bered confederates that had struggled for
months TO confine the Union forces TO the Po-
I sin nssh line Along that tuTnpike Early made
Lew wallace at Monocacy bridge. II an
important part of the communications of COM
merce between the east and Tennessee and the
states of the gulf coast before the period of rail-
roads, and when commerce sought avenues
des ngasn Wy by nature and easily improved
gested brief reference TO the map describes
the valley OF Virginia. But when Virginia pol
valley counties of Augusta, Rockingham Shen-
andoah and Frederick, they make large allow
across the Blue Ridge to counties like Albe,
marie, Madison, Green and Orange with which
begin what Nirginians call the Piedmont sec.
political and Industrial kinship than Of georra.
phlcal accuracy, may also claim the counties
of Allegheny, Bath and Highland, touching the
West Virginia border. In all these counties
there is much sentiment for protection, because
OF the mineral resources OF the valley and the
contiguous sections, and because OF large in
vestments in mining enterprises which give
employmentto thousands of laborers. In the
valley counties, and counties in close CONNER
cial contact with them, the preponderance of
the white vote makes the colored vote OF little
consequence, save as balance of power in
severely contested elections. Winchester at
upper end are respectively the termini of the
Valley pike. Intermediate points OF interest are
the valley was democratic largely, though
Augusta county in which is Staunton was
largely WING and subsequently for the Know
nothing movement-anyth thing always but DEM
ocratic-just as 1t is nothing II not democratic
now.
Following the map again from a point west
fairly in Southwest Virginia. Its characteris-
tics and those of the valley are by instinct, ira
dition, interest and blood generic, and the two
sections have been always cooperative in Nir-
ginia politics. A tradition OF Virginia politics
Is that the valley and the southwest, united
ana both thoroughly aroused have never failed
to carry the state, being always aided by a con-
tingent from the counties lying east OF the
Blue Ridge, and the section south of James
river. and reaching to the North Carolina line.
southwest Virginia extends TO the borders OF
Tennessee and Kentucky. Like the valley it
was always democratic, and like the valley
Southwest Virginia was prompt to join General
Malone in his successful rebellion against the
democracy. South of James river, including
the Norfolk and Petersburg congressional dis
tricts, where the colored vote is massed, Gen.
eral Malone has always had an obedient re-
publican organization. In Piedmont, Virginia,
looking northward and westward from Rich
mond, occasionally a county can be found that
has helped by small majOrities the alliance of
southwest and Southside Virginia and the val
ley. This alliance made Malone Sena-
tor, Cameron governor, Riddleberger Senator,
and John Wise ongressman-at-large
has never looked for assistance or at least has
always been rebuffed when he did. Leaving
the valley, the southwest and the counties OF
the south side (south of James river, he has
always found himself confronted with resolute
and invincible majorities in counties like
Clarke, Warren, Fauquier, Amherst and Rap
pahannock. A stray county in middle Nir-
ginia, here and there, captured from the pre-
vailng sentiment Of the contiguous region, and
enlisted in the work of republicanizing Vir-
ginia, has always been offset by similar cap
lures by the democrats of counties like Ham
over, Charlotte, Halifax and Pittsylvania, which
can.
THE TRIPARTITE ALLIANCE.
In studying the intricate politics of, Virginia
the stranger is always embarrassed by the
STUN bling-blocks of territorial divisions, which
are plain enough TO the Virginian when he sits
down to q problem Of political mathematics
But yet they necessary features i'm all calcu-
lations of the present contest, which is of no
lasla an .nrf
of Ohio just past and that of New York next
month. The rampant features Of the canvass
are about ended; the fustian is exhausted, or
nearly SO; rhetoric has been expended i'm un-
limited quantities. and vituperation has played
its active part on both sides. There remains
nothing of the political situation in Virginia to
look into save the question as to whether Gen.
Malone can maintain the tripartite alliance of
valley, southwest and the negro counties south
of James river, which have been the pillars of
his edifice, trusting to luck for help here aud
there In other sections of the stale.
Staunton is most interesting point Of obser-
litical, commercial social, or historical When
Tarleton, CORVALLIS rough rider, to his lord
ship what Sheridan was to Grant, desolated the
counties across the Blue Ridge, a little over a
hundred years ago, the Virginia state govern
ment made Stanton the temporary capital by
hasty retreat from Charlottesville. In the
late war it was almost as much base of opera
lions as Richmond. AS political center ii has
always been interesting having been the
theater of many clOsely-contested conventions
As the home of eminent Virginlan families it
has social distinction well maintained by the
college-like flavor which belongs to all lOcali-
ties where educational institutions are
handsomely sustained. Staunton has also
the advantage OF two of the best news
papers published in Virginia, one republican
and the other democratic. The Valley Pr
Qi,lidn is edited by Major s. NJ. Yost, who has
figured creditably for many years in the politics
and journalism of the state. The Vindicator Is
edited by Mr.. H. c. Tinsley, an able and fair
journalist of thirty years experience. The Vir-
ginian, republican, and the Tindicator demo
cratic, by moderation and discretion, discard
ing epithet and smut are auXiliaries of the con-
sentative and responsibility of political discus
sion in Stanton. Healthful influences make
StauntOn, not less than its geographical situa-
ton, good outlook for the state at large But 1
shall look at the valley only for the present.
WHAT BOTH SIDES SAY.
have talked to-day for The STAR with both
Major Yost and Mr.. Tinsley, and find their
views as respectively given sustained by their
party friends. The valley is o closely contested
battle ground. Since Gov. Camerons election
four years ago, its republican majorities have
steadily diminished until last year. when Cleve-
land carried ali the country between Staupton
and Winchester. Major Yost Is sure of a reduc.
ton of the usual democratic majority in This
county, Augusta. Mr.. Tinsley is certain that IL
will be up to its average of about one thousand
Major YOst is assured that Rockingham will be
republican by fair majority, and Mr. Tfnsley
thinks that IT will be very close
Major Yost expects gains throughout the val.
ley for the republicans which shall be found
symmetrical with the vote In the other white
sections Of the state. Mr.. Tinsley thinks there
will be little change in the relative vote of the
valley a g ma rod wit lost