The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-09-09
Stanton Convention.

The Republican Convention when as |
sembled in Stanton OF the lst Of Septen
Der was truly representative Of the great
body of the people of the district u Was
composed principally Of farmers and work
ingmen, with the professions represented
by men of liberal ideas and liberal hearts.
It spoke for the material interest anu
physical development of the Common
wealth and emphasized the controlling
conviction by declarations on the practical
issues of the day, which address them
selves to the acceptance OF the people
There was no hesitanoy OF hating or eva
sion or equivoeation, in the platform
adopted. 1t was clear, bold. unequiyoc al
and easily understood. The great ques-
lions of protection to home industries and
home labor and popular education found
hearty endorsement-an endorsement that
came from real earnest convictions as well
as the lips. There was no attempt to trim
or dissimulate as to any issue affecting the
peoples welfare-no straddling or dodg-
ing to suit conflicting sentiments, merely
to tickle the fancy and catch votes, or to
offer convenient excuse for men to cast
a ballot that would stultify their man
hood and not reflect their honest opinions.
1t met every issue squarely. The banner
of the party was hung upon the cutter
walls, emblazoned with its principles and
appealing to the judgment and reason of
the voter. 1t was an expression OF conf
dence in the intelligence, the courage and
the manhood of the masses, and manly
assertion of the right Of the people to
know for what they vote when they cast
their ballots on the day OF election.
It was somewhat different from the de-
clarations made by the Lexington Conyen-
ton, which placed Democratic Congress
sional candidate before. the people for their
suffrages. There the intelligence of the
voter was insulted and the manhood of
the Convention stultifed by double-deal-
ing. suppression and evasion. The formal
declarations of the Convention embraced
a gross contradiction. They approved the
last National and State platforms Of the
Democratic party which conflict with each
other on the educational and revenue
questions-the national platform virtually
declaring against national aid to public
education and the repeal of the internal
revenue system, while the State platform
announced for the Blair bill and the repeal
of the internal revenue laws. In both the
tariff question was substantially avoided,
the resolution relating to it, admitting of
any construction to suit the opinions of
either free traders Or protectionists pro
yided a mere casual examination was sat
isfactory. Its true Interpretation, however,
was given by the Democratic members Of
Congress, when they unanimously elected
Carlisle, pronounced free trader, Speak
er, and endorsed the Morrison tariff bill,
which placed all raw materials, including
ores and wool, on the free list, the Vir.
ginia members voting for both. On the
educational question it was the purpose of
the managers of the convention to be ST.
lent, for the committee on resolutions
purposely omitted to mention it. But q
delegate, after resolution requesting the
candidates for the nomination to explain
their positions on the tariff and education
al questions had been voted down, offered
a resolution in favor Of the Blair bill
Brought face to face with the question
either to vote it down OF approve, it was
passed, but with great reluctance and
much misgiving. This was in direct con-
flict with the resolution they had just
passed, approving the National Democrat
ic platform, as well as the record of the
party in Congress, where the measure had
been twice defeated by a Democratic House
after having been passed by Republican
Senate. This shutting, disgusting and
cowardly record is now brought in contrast
with the bold and decisive action of the
Republican Convention for the informa-
tion and guidance of the voters of the
District.
The Staunton Convention had nothing
in it of petty selfshness or personal poll
tics. There were gentlemen there who
would gladly have accepted the nomina-
ton and received the united and active
support Of the party, coming both from
the eastern and western counties. But
their claims upon the party were not
urged, Notwithstanding they had warm
friends among the delegates, simply be-
cause the nominee chosen was considered,
under the circumstances, the most fitting
person for the honor. There was no MUIR
muir of discomfort, no half -hearted con
sent, but an earnest, enthusiastic oneness
and inspiring confidence expressed by eve
ry delegate in the Convention, which su
bordinated personal feeling and ambition
to the great cause at issue and the inter
ests of the people involved.
Thus opens the campaign in the 10th
district with every augury in favor Of the
success of the nominee of the Staunton
Convention. He enters the canvass
with the united s1d enthusiastic sup
port of the delegates who made him
their choice, end the party which they
represented. He speaks for National
party that has brought the country from
virtual bankruptcy and chaos, to the proud
position it now holds among the Nations
of the earth. He speaks for principles
which address themselves to the approval
of the honest judgment of every Ameri-
can citizen. He speaks for the welfare Of
the 10th district, the development and
utilization of whose wealth depend upon
the practical application of these principles
in the policies of the government. He
speaks for industrial progress and deyel
Opment; for the welfare of labor for the
cause of public education, and the eleva-
ton and enlightenment of the masses, and
for the upbuilding and prosperity of Vir-
ginia. These will be his themes, and for
these will his votes be cast, should the
voters of the district speak for him at
the ballot boy on the I'd of November
next.
The iron bridge spanning the Missouri
river at Leavenworth, Kansas. was burned
Thursday night, entailing a loss of $780,
600.
Mr. N. M. Lee, ex city sergeant of Rich
mond, died on Thursday last, aged 81
years. He was well known to many of the
citizens Of Staunton.
Hon. C. P. Snyder has been reuominated
n L n