The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-12-02
Virginia Republicans.

rising young men of Viiginia-a descen-
dant of one of the oldest and most influ-
entail families of the eastern part of the
State, and we may add, in slavery times,
the owners of large number of slaves
But, as IS evident, the writer has passed |
from under the Influences of old associa-
tions and conditions, and with his face to |
the future. has taken his stand with New
Virginia and the inspirations and conylc- |
tions which found expression on the I'd OF
November. The conduct of that canvass
was the most orderly and rational that has
been known in the State for many years.
Infammatory appeals to prejudice had but
little effect upon the voter. Both parties
had clever gentlemen to represent them
as candidates. The election OF either
would have reflected no discredit upon the
people in their personal character. In
that respect the voters felt at ease, and
when the effort was made torevive the feel
ing of reconstruction days" it was
simply laughed out of court. There
were issues of practical Importance to the
Commonwealth and the whole country TO
be decided, and they were dispassionately
discussed and deliberately passed upon at
the ballot box, with result that seems to
be satisfactory to.many who voted against
the victorious candidates. There were less
of excited feeling and bitter prejudice
manifested in the progress of the canvass,
and less of humiliatng disappointment
and NOR bid resentment shown when the
verdict was rendered, than we have ever
known The yictors bore their laurels
with decent modesty and conservative
propriety. Not spiteful jeer or taunt-
not an unseemly demonstration to aggra-
vate, nor boisterous parade to remind
the vanquished that they had lost was in
dulged. 1t was a victory achieved through
rational methods for rational objects. and
it was nationally observed. We did not
regard it, as we have before stated, as the
triumph of Individual over individual. but
a verdict of the people for certain admin
| istrative principles and policies affecting
all aike-the victors and the vanquished
and what would prove good for the one
would prove equally as advantageous for
| the other.
1t is in this spirit We hope all future
contests will be conducted, both in rela-
| tion to State and county, as well as nation
al elections. We cannot segregate from
community class. of citizens because OF
political belief, and divorce them from
the operations of policies or the influence
of administration. The people are aggre-
gated and policies must operate equally
upon all and hence no party or set of men
who have primarily the good of them
selves at heart can fail to recognize the
fact that to effect that, the good of all
others must be equally considered. This
motive must necessarily control the action
Of every citizen, if he is worthy OF the
designation. 1t is only when scheming
demagogues and place hunters recognize
danger to their own plans in calm and de-
liberate expression of public opinion that
such objects are lost sight of, and the pas
sion and prejudice of the people appealed
to to reach a result that would never be
attained through their deliberate judg-
|
first examine themselves as to what they
thou ght best for their own interest, and
conscientiously discharge their duty in the
use Of legal means to accomplish that enc.
leaving others to do likewise, there would
be no fear of not having faithful public
servants, wise laws and beneficent admin
istrations. 1t is only when the place-hun-
ter and demagogue come to the front, with
axes to grind, and personal purposes to
effect, that legitimate methods are ig-
nored and irrelevantand abnormal appeals
made. If the great mass of the people
would stop to think and prepare them
selves for such appeals, the days of the
curb stone politician and the pestiferous
agitator would soon be numbered.
There is serious responsibility resting
with the Republicans of Virginia, not
only in reference to the matter which our
correspondent so forcefully calmly and fair
ly discusses. but in respect to the party S or
ganization and future influence and sue
cess. In the recent canvass, the people OF
the several districts made their own choice
of candidates; they organized their own
plan of operation. and conducted their
own campaign. The men selected to bear
the Republican colors had nothing to lose
either intellectually or morally in compar-
ison with their competitors. Their plans OF
deportation were simple, practical, legiti-
mate and met the approval of the people.
Their manner of conducting them was
free from intricacy, from outside influence
or Jealous complications. There was moth
ing that would not bear exposure to the
light, or that anyone would wish to con-
ceal. In short, it was the peoples CAM
paign, carried on without the usual appli-
ance of 'ssoap,'' but vitalized by convic-
tion and duty.
1t seems to US that such methods with
such results as were reached ought to carry
with them lesson Of instruction for the
future To win another victory. it must
be accompl ished by similar Instrumental
ties. The people must be trusted While
organization is essential, to be affective it
must have its source in the sympathy and
7 approval of the masses. 1t must come
from them and at their demand. With
this recognition we can safely and effect
ually defy the Vaccinations and plots of
our opponents, and even the iniquities of
the Anderson McCormick Electoral law,
which has done more to inspire the dis
trust and disgust of the people of Virgin
ia with the party which enacted it. than
all of its other misdeeds and b]unders.-
The people are not prepared to deliberate
| ly endorse such perfdious wrongs as that
| law contemplates, they are not prepared
| to deny those who may honestly diff
fer with them on public questions and
policies, the same rights and privileges as
themselves, and equal advantages in pro-
curing an honest and fair expression of
public opinion. Down in their hearts they
execrate the law and the motive which
suggested it. and will manifest their dis
approval in the condemnation of the party
which inflicted this disgrace upon the sta
tute books. 1t was theoutgrowth of the des-
perate partizanism which usurped author