The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-01-26

Mr.. Randall has many friends in Vlr-
ginia, in the Democratic party, who are
such because Of his bold defense of the
protective policy. They are also friends
of the present administration. We should
like to know how they now stand. The ad
min istration has made open war upon Ran
dali, and defeated him, in the organization
of the party in his own State. All the power
and influence of the administl alton was
directed against him. PostmasterS, Mar
shalls, Internal Revenue Collectors, Gus
toms House officers, and indeed. every
grade and character of federal appoint
ments were banded together to crush Ran
dali in Pennsylvania, and destroy his in
huence in Congress. 1t was an open war
upon him because of his tariff views, and
in favor of the free trade ideas of Cleve-
land as presented in his message. The
message was endorsed without modification
at the meeting of the State Central Com.
mittee when Randall's candidate was de.
feated and the President heartily urged
for re election. Here is an opportunity for
Randall's Virginia friends to show their
grit and courage-to demonstrate whether
their friendship is worth anything, and
whether they are sincere in what they say
they believe. Where are the Randall
Democrats,,?" is a pertinent question just
at this time. Where do Judge Harris.
Col. w. A. Anderson. the Rockingham
Register, the Staunton Vmaicator, the
Lexington Gazette, and other Randall sup
porters, stand now? Will they back Ran
dali in this hour of necessity, or will they
join the administration ranks and say
"crucify him. cruelty him?'
1t was ungrateful. as well as cruel in
Cleveland, to go back on Randall. 1t was
Randall who was deputized to speak for
him in New York, New Jersey and Con-
necticut, and to pledge his faith that
Cleveland was as good tariff man as he
was. But for Randall's efforts and argu-
ments, Cleveland would have lost all these
States, and Blaine been elected. Now
Cleveland makes common cause with
Randall's enemies. and makes determined
war upon Randall's tariff ideas which
elected Cleveland, and brings the vast pa
tronage and power of the administration
to crush the intrepid protection advocate.
What will Randall's friends say and do
about it !?
If the position of the administration on
the tariff question means anything, it
means that the Democrats have virtually
surrendered New Jersey and Connecticut
in advance, and intend to make move on
Michigan and Wisconsin. The appoint
ment of Dickinson from the former State,
postmaster general, looks that way. He is
a great organizer, and has the department
which is NEST powerful for that purpose.
The fight will be for solid South, New
York, Indiana and Michigan. Voorhees,
! recent charge Oh the tariff question and
support of the Presidents message in a
setspeech points to that, if it does not mean
also that VOORHEES, is to be second on the
Virginia. North Carolina and Indiana are
safe for the Democracy and free trade
and all that will be necessary will be to
make up for the loss of New Jersey and
Connecticut. The States we have name
are to be relied on for that, and we must
confess that the movement is being engi
neered with boldness and courage, and an
apparent confidence of success. But we
have no idea that it will succeed. Mich.
gan is safe for the Republicans. Indiana,
with an acceptable Presidential ticket
will be also. Virginia would be, but fo1
the miserable, selfish, tyrannical manage.
ment of the bosses in this State. We can
never hope to rescue it from the grasp OF
Democracy. so long as one-plan power die
tates to and controls the Republican party
With liberal organize tion-one in which
the Republican masses had confidence, and
would unite in supporting, Virginia would
be as certain for Blaine or Harrison. as
either Massachusetts or New Hampshire
But under its present management the
party can promise nothing but defeat.