The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-04-29
A Reminiscen ce.

IA CO.
In our reference last week to the inter-
view with Hon.. A. II. H. Stuart. by rep
resentative of the Vindicator, it did not
occur to to us at the time to state an inn
preston, which we have no HISTORICAL record
to verify. Ii we remember right, howev-
er, at the time Nh. Stuart represented this
district, there were eight Democrats and
seven Wings elected to Congress from this
State. The following year the Democrat
ic Legislature gerrymandered the State.
giving to the Democrats fourteen of the
districts and the Wings one Jack Pen
dleton as he was familiarly known, was
the Lone Starr in the Wing armament
in the State, representing the Orange dis
trict. Notwithstanding the State was
nearly equally divided between the Demo-
Gratis and Wings on a popular vote, the
Democrats, true to their traditions then
and their ubsequent practices, considered
the whole earth as belonging to them and
that they were the ''peOple." The same
methods which gave that party the nearly
unanimous representation in Congress
from Virginia. have been applied in the
present apportlonment of representation.
While on fair and honest vote and count
the Republicans have from 10000 to 20
600 majority of the popular vote, a Dem
ocratic Legislature has so arranged the
districts as to give that party eight out OF
the ten representatives, giving some of
the districts the most grotesque shapes,
and showing conclusively that they were
formed for the express purpose OF electing
Democrats and with no reference to con-
tiguity of territory and sympathy of in
| terests.
Notwithstanding the spirit manifested
towards the Wings over forty years ago,
and towards every other party since by the
Democrats. the Old Line Wings throw up
their hats for their traditional enemy
and complacently scquiesce in the devices
and connections by which they employ the
ployed, in the olden time, to humiliate
them. The Democracy is the inventor
of the boycott. The principle involved
in it has been enforced by that party for
two generations, and to-day is more re-
| lentlessly practiced than ever before. 1t
admits Of no liberation in political affairs.
1t recognizes no equality of citizenship
and community of interests when it has
the power to order otherwise, and is only
tolerant when to accomplish it selfish ends
| al ,r vrinr mo
combination, agree to any collision, how
ever disreputable and inconsistent, that
will give it control Of office and the bene-
fit of the spoils.
| A public meeting was held in Salem last
week. at which resoluti ons were adopted,
asking that Congress increase the tariff on
foreign ores to $3.50 per ton, and that the
| internal revenue tax be abolished. 1t will
be remembered that several years ago,
when the tariff bill was referred to a con-
! ference committee, Gen. Malone was a
member of it. Then the tariff on foreign
ores was so cents on the ton. He offered
a resolution in the committee to increase
| the tariff to 50 per ton. but it was thought
it would endanger the tariff bill. and con-
seqnenty the motion was finally modified
| to make the tax on ore rs cents. At the
| time this increase of the ore tax was I'M
der consideration. prominent Democrat
from Virginia used his influence against
| for reelection to Congress he was sup
ported by his party and had the sympathy
of Democrats throughout the State, while
they were denouncing Gen. Malone in
the most unmeasured terms as an enemy
Of Virginia. Now when those interested
in the development of the mineral re-
sources of Virginia see that the operation
of Democratic policy will be certain ruin
| to the industrial hopes of the State, they
are urging that the very proposition made
by Gen. Malone, and opposed by Demo-
Gratis, be adopted as the policy of the gov
eminent. The position is tantamount to
saving that the Democratic party is the
enemy anG the Republican party the friend
| of Virginia interests. Yet the men who
virtually announce this, have not the cour-
| dS0 W COlllO Ouu UOluly liz 1bfOl VI oiiS Pssi
! ty through which alone can protective pol
| icy be inaugurated and enforced. The peo-
pie of Virginia ought to look beyond mere
party names and support the measures, as
well as the party, the operation of whose
policy would benefit the State. The Dem
ocratic party is a constant threat to the
prosperity of Virginia and to the South,
and unless the policy Of the Republican
party is adopted as that of the govern
ment there is no hope for industrial activ-
ity and material development, This con-
clusion must be reached by every reflect
ing, fair-minded man.
The people should have the courage at
| least tolook after their own interests and
support the party whose policy will con-
| tribute to their advancement.