The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-05-17
Another Circular.

tai" letter, in which all who were not
willing to let the chairman do their thirk
Ing, were read out of the party and their
fellowship renowned. 1t is remarkable
in the light Of the address presented to
the National Committee. in which all who
believed that check should be placed Oh
Gen. Mahone's autocratic and destr uctive
methods, were designated as kickers, who
were to be UStraciZed and their fellowship
renounced. 1t asks Virginia Republicans
whether or not they are in favor OF dissolv
ing the party, and yet at the same time as
sumes that MahOneand his personal follow
ing are the party. It's delusion that has
grown with the abuse of power, which
has taken hold of the chairman and those
who reflect his views and purposes, that
he is the party, and that to question his
infallibillty or criticlse his administration
is blow at Republican principles. 1t is
a shallow, presumptuous paper. and in
strict accord with the dicta and bulls of
the chairman, who recognizes no rights
which do not emanate from his conces-
sions, and no liberty but that which &C
knowledges his authority as supreme.
1t reverts to the past seemingly insen-
sble of the contrast which exists between
present and past cOnditOns-a lamentable
contrast resulting from the same methods
and the same despotic resolves and tactics
now invoked to enforce obedience to one
mans will and enslave freemen TO one
mans orders. We quote paragraph:
But new dispensation was at hand. new
plan and new leadership came in with 1879.
bounteous and multitudinous BILE ssings to ke-
publicans and all our people. We have not
room to enumerate in detail,-but no one can
forget or fail to be grateful for the triumphs of
1879, 1881, 1882, 1856, and the votes cast by our
majorities in 1884 and lSS7-ifwe were counted
out in these two last named years. At least
5000 voters have been added to our ranks, and
most of these white men-so desirable and 80
necessary an element of strength in this State
and section. Free suffrage was restored; the
free schools were rescued from destruction;
taxes were reduced the burden of a fraudulent
debt was removed; the coupons were effectu.
ally stayed In their ravages our lunatics were
delivered from jalls and placed in the asylums;
public sentiment and administration largely
liberalZed and natiOnaliZed; all our obliga-
tions promptly met all our institutions i'm
partially maintained and conducted for the
gen eral good the ballot box purified: and the
laws fairly executed without fear or favor.
The references in the above are unfor-
tunate for the Chairman and those he
speaks for. for they are full of instruction
as we'll as warning. Where are the men
who achieved the successes of 1879, 1881
and 1882? Where are Massey, Fulkerson,
Newberry, Williams. Hale, and those who
were driven from the party. because they
would not submit to the insolent and des-
potic orders of the Chairman. Where are
Cameron and Lewis. who led the forces in
1881, which brought victory? Where is
! Wise who upheld the triumphant banner
in 1882? Where is Riddleberger, who lead
the party in the Senate, and Frazier who
was recognized in the House as the spokes-
man for the party, when the legislation
mentioned was enacted? Where is Gro
ner, Pend!eton, and host of true and
tried young men who gave their energies
and talents to the cause and rallied the
people to the support of the policy, which
the Republicans had first formulated, and
then came with 10000 votes to make the
ballot free, rescue the public schools from
ruin, and enact the liberal legislation al
luded to in the circular-legisIation which
would probably never have been neces
sary but for the aforetime recognized
power of the Chairman in the Democratic
party
Yet in the face of the history of the
party for the past eight years, this circular
has the audacity to ask the Republicans
of Virginia whether they are for "dissolu-
tion." Had it not been for the reckless
and desperate demand for power and the
mad exercise of it by the Chairman, the
Republican party would to-day be in the
ascendancy in Virginia. 1t would have
| held the State administration from 1881 to
the present time, and been so fortified ard
crystalized as to defy the Democracy for
all time to come. All the disasters which
have come upon it can be traced to one
source-the unrestricted, ar bitrary and des
potlc abuse of authority that had been
conferred upon the chairman, and which
he welded for defeat and not for victory.
1t is to arrest these disasters, to check
this abuse of authority, to rebuke this
audacity that has presumed upon the
tolerance and forbearance of the people,
that they are now moving and asserting
their rights and their power, and will con.
tinue to CRY aloud and spare not, until the
tyrant's rod is broken and the Republicans
of Virginia are freed from its despotic
sway. 1t is not work of a day or a
month or six months. we know, but it will
be prosecuted with determination and an
uncompromising purpose to emancipate
the people of Virginia from despotism
more CALLING and rule more humiiating
than was ever imposed upon free people
in any country or in any age.
The Republicans of Virginia are going
to be free. They are going to take the
management of their own affairs, and rele-
gate to the shades of private life those
who have so misused and abused power
In the past, and stand as a constant me.
mace of disaster for the future.
If Cleveland and the Democracy had
been defeated in 1884, the country would
not now be threatened with the destruc
tion of its industrial system by the Mills
tariff bill. 1t will require all the courage
and strength of the friends of American
labor and American manufactures and
production to arrest the impetus given to