Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-08-07

1t says, for instance, that the Democrats of
last Legislature unseated seventeen Republi-
can members and seated Democrats, whereas
the records show that out of twenty-three
cases of contests over elections, in ten cases
only were Democrats awarded seats, and in
only six of these were Republicans unseated.
1t says that the Democrats passed over sew
enty acts relieving defaulting collecting Off
GERS, whereas, with a single exception, no
such acts were passed. The acts referred to
were less than twenty in number, and were
concerning sureties, and were supported by
the Republicans and approved by Republi-
can Governor. Again, it is charged that the
Democrats squandered the surplus they found
in the State Treasury; whereas larger sur
plus now exists than when the Democrats
came into power-about one million of which
| has been invested in Riddleberger bonds Of
such extravaganza, contradiction and self
qualification is this Republican document
made
The Democratic party has always been fore
most to exalt and dignity every function of
the State government It has created the
vast network Of railroads and turnpikes
which has developed our resources 1t has
been the steadfast friend of labor, and it has
never neglected the just and ordered rights
of property. Browning on all class distinc-
lions, on all efforts to array one portion of the
community against another on issues outside
of the domain of politics, it recognizes and
will maintain the equality of all citizens of
the Commonwealth in their civil and political
rights. We must not overlook the vast impor-
lance of Democratic control of the Federal
Government, and we exhort every Virginian
to remember that the success of Democratic
policy in Virginia may we'll be of vital moment
IN confirming and strengthening the suspicious
hold on the confidence of the country now
happily established in the pure and enlighten-
ed administration of Mr. Cleveland. We there
fore proudly proclaim our allegiance to the
Constitution and the Union of the States, and
to the National Democratic party as their in
terpreter and defender. To that great party
is specially confided the future maintenance of
those principles of local self-government ad-
ministered by the States and limited imperial
power entrusted to the Federal Administra
ton. which can alone, by their harmonious
working. secure and perpetuate the free
| institutions of territory SO extensive and
populations SO vast as those of the United
States. Men of Virginia, in that fundamental
idea of the Democratic party is summed up
your final condemnation of our opponent-t the
only denunciation we mean here to visit on
their heads. Other times and other places
will serve for the detailed criticism of their
men and measures. Let this suffice here.
They were first the allies; they now proclaim
themselves full and accepted members of the
National Republican party. The patriotic
voters CT this Commonwealth will never sur
render its destinles to that party of sectional
hate and constitutional heresy.
Confident as of old that the true heart of the
people will utter its real voice in the free and
untrammelled elections which recent legisla-
ton secures, and that the virtue and intelli-
gence of the State will be awarded due infu-
ence in its government, the Democratic party
calmly RENTS the issue now joined, to the voters
of Virginia.