Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-04-13


only appealed to my party when I despair
ed Of convincing the managerial policy"
of its true interest, or of inducing your
self and associates to yield the autocratic
power you exercise, and On the continued
exercise Of which you still Indignantly In
sist.
If made any mistake it was in hoping
that my long service and we'll known devO-
tion to cur party, my intimate, personal
relation with General Malone, and the
kind tone of all l urged, would protect me
from the imputation of petty, personal, Or
disloyal motives, and at least secure the
kind difference of opponents.
II the ''Whig" newspaper, with yourself
as editor, had still been in publication. of
course 1 never would have hoped for that.
But it has not been printed for some time,
and my memory was somewhat blunted
about the way in which man after man,
the best we had, had been
ATTACKED AND DRIVEN OFF
from US while it was our party organ, and
you were its editor, whenever he express
ed opinions opposed to the managerial
policy 1t was grave mistake of judg.
ment to fancy that unpalatable advice,
however good, would be accepted by your
self and associates, or that anything short
OF the heretic's head on a charger could
if the recusant we're your brother. Obser-
Walton and experience ought to have
taught me that power is sWeeter than
friendship with some men, and that past
affection and intimacy, trust and self.sac-
rifice go for nauRht with those who feel
that supreme unquestioned command is
the essential breath of their nostrils. l
regret to detect that feeling in your
writings.
oE,o SkoI -.
corning myself is that lit has been rumOI-
ed for some time that Captain Wise was
going out of politics, or going back to the
Democratic party" Now, touching this
rumor, l want you to do me personal
kindness. l hope we are not so far apart
that l cannot call on - GU in this way, if it
be only for "Auld Lang Syne." OF course
you only state this rumor to give me an
opportunity to deny or confirm it. I re-
quest you, as one who thinks me "genius,
an orator, &c.. to tell the next man who
repeats this rumor in your presence that
declare it to be
A BAsELEss AND MEAN ACCUSATION,
originated by my enemies and now circu
lated to do me injury in my own party
and weaken the force Of my views. Do
not trouble yourself about the part rela.
ting to my going out OF politics. That
letters you may intend to knock me out of
politics and knock politics out of me. And
you may succeed. But do not, pray you
permit people to ''rumor" behind my back
that am going back to the Democratic
party. | deny all such rumOrs concerning
yourself. Do you know that it has baen
rumored for some time past that MIR. Elan
was writing editorials for one or two Dem
Ocratic papers?
My Republican brother, l never suspec-
ted you of desertion, and although heard
it rumored you were going back to the
Democratic party never published the
rumor. But frankly l will confess to you
that hearing you were writing for the
IndeG-A Appeal, 1 read the paper. and for
the life of me, could not tell which edito-
rials were yours 'sfor revenue only" and
which were written by the Democratic ed
itor. Still, you know, may not have de-
liberated enough to determine.
x x
Iregret that you seem incapable of at
trlbuting my action to any motive except
one spriBging from selfish hope or spite.
1t argues badly for your own mental and
moral motive power. l have no personal
complaints to make. / make none. Ma.
hone has always been kind to me, and
more lnduIgent with me than with any
friend he had. flattered myself could,
through affection, accomplish more with
been honored by the party more than
deserved, 30 doubt. l understand your
covert illusions TO professional employ
ments. They are in exceedingly bad taste.
But what has all this to do with the issue?
l am simply
CONTENDING FOR A PRINCIPLE,
and, if such FIRE brands as yours can be
| extinguished, decision can be reached
| without bitterness. You seem to think
| that because the party has given certain
! young men. myself included, fat offices,
| we are to be content and quiet as fat cat
| tie. Your mind seems to run on the good
wages paid by the "managerial policy" of
| the Republican party, as atoning for all
| else. l will not be dragged into such a
I discussion. 1 would rather live On a
] crust in ga ret tban be quiet ed into sleek
! silence AGAR st CONVICTION by the richest
| pay of your ''mar agerlal policy" and if
| you loaded me with flee, hos ors, and pro.
| fits. it was nOt to make me slave, but
! because, as your Ieer. Was found valu-
| able and
| EARNED MY PROMOTION.
To admit that my honors we're other
| wise bestowed were disgrace 10 both reel
plent and elantor. To suggest them as
| adequate price for silence now against
| measures l oppose, argues worse for him
| who makes the sugge stion han as against
| him at whom the suggestion is directed.
may be wrong in thinking the people
wish what | propose. If 80, [ will stard
corrected when they sIeak. I have no
desire to be their quixotIc champion. But
the figures relied upon by you do not prove
low
UNGENERoUs AND UNFAIR
IN you to try to show. or at least to infer
that was responsible for any falling off
| in our vote in the years 1882 and 1885. You
managed the party organ in 1882, and
while was not alone in the opinion that
! its course throughout the campaign cost
| the pal ty thousands Of votes, you are my
| witness that | never charged you with it.
| II my vote fell off from the Presidential
vote of 1854, when l ran for Governor in
| 1885, it was you who wIote the grotesque
platform with which | was handicapped,
and Malone vas as much an issue for Sen.
ator as Wise was an issue for Governor.
| You and Malone ought to be willing to
bear your share of the responsibility
aud should not forget that, whereas l
polled 1856, 900 votes in 1885, Malone being
the issue IN 1887, and being out, be could
poll but $4,000 votes in the entire State.
And if figures are to be the test, you should
, not carp at my management in Richmond,
for 1. managing for Malone here in 1887,
cast 800 more votes than, under the man.
agement of 1885 by Malone, he brought
| out in the gubernatorial election when he
was candidate for Senator. If figures be
the test. please explain how it is that the
city of Petersburg has so sadly fallen away
from her old-time majorities and your
own county of Louisa that once gave over
| 700 majority, is now very close county
and elected a Democrat as your predeces-
sor; and then compare these sad declines
of Republican strength with the ever faith
full vote of Richmond. where we have