The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-03-15


On the first page of the VIRGINIAN will
be found several articles from Virginia
papers on the secret circular recently pub
lished in the columns of the VIRGlNIAN.
We publisheda well digested article last
week from the Wytheville Patrol and Her
aid, the leading Republican paper Of the
Southwest. The l4oudonn Telephone and
Highland Recorder, two conservative, dig
nified and representative journals of the
best thought in the Republican party:
speak through editorials TO be found on
the first page of This issue. The Freder
icksburg Free Lance. an independent paper
and read by all classes of citizens. has an
incisive and effective article. The New
York Tribune and Bangor Wing reflect
Republican sentiment outside OF the State.
There is but one sentiment, so far as we
have heard or seen it expressed, in regard
to the circular, and that is of upmitjgated
condemnation. The circular is without
precedent or parallel coming from the
Chairman of State Committee. For one
entrusted with the charge OF caring for
political organization, to issue secret cir
cular recommending a policy designed,
and which would most certainly result, in
disintegrating the party, destroying its
effective usefulness and assuring defeat,
is the most remarkable exhibition of i'll
advised and ill-judged purpose we have
ever known To ask that the law Of the
party, as laid down by the National Con-
vention and the National Committee, Shall
be disregarded and nullilied, IN adopting
the unit rule; to ask that all who do not
agree with the Chairman shall be READ out
of the party and their fellowship re-
nounced; to conspire to pack delegation
in the interest OF a candidate, who IS
not favored by one-fourth Of the party;
to endorse a malicious screed that is
spurned and denounced by nine tenths Of
those who have read it; to approve plan
of organization which makes the people
the slaves and puppets Of the Chairman,
which has brought defeat after defeat, and
| estranged some of the ablest and most
| influential members of the party-is going
bow-shot beyond anything ever attempted
| in this or any other State by one man. 1t
is monumental piece of inpudence, and
il the people do not rise up and condemn
it, they will simply make themselves par
ties to the plot to seriously cripple the
Republican party of Virginia, and defeat
| it in the Nation.
|
Some of our Republican friends seem
to be under the deluson that there is no
one in Virginia who could discharge the
duties of Chairman of the Republican
State Committee, except the present
chairman There is no one else probab y
who would undertake to follow IN his foot
steps That is the very thing the Repuo
licans do not want. But there are number
OF them who could carry on more pru
dent, judicious and successful campaign
The people are tired of boss rule-a sur
felt of what is called organization and
discipline. What is wanted is an admin
istration that comes down to the people
consults them-addresse itself to theii
feelings and JUDGMENT and recognizes tha'
they have little common sense, some
rights and are interested in Republican
success. Either Groner. Lamb. Bowen
Farr, Hooper, Libby, r. I. Hubbard
would meet the public demand and inspire
the confidence of the party. There would
be no trouble in getting the man if tbs
people should be left free to make TIE
choice