Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-05-02
Stauntox Spectator.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 2. 1888.
Augusta Democrats.

You have been called again to action
You are now to chose representatives to the
State Convention of the party which con-
venes at Norfolk on the 10th instant. You
have no entanglements or disputes to settle,
nor animosities to heal. A clear line OF
duty to perform is before you, and we IN
woke you to be prompt with full numbers
in discharging it.
The National and State administrations
of government are capable, pure, and above
reproach. You are to take counsel to-
gether in your primary and State deibera-
tions for the purpose of continuing good
government and impressing the people
with the responsibility resting upon them
in maintaining it. The Jeffersonian test of
the fitness of their agents has been strik-
ingly illustrated in the discharge of duty
and in demonstrating the value OF the
truth tkat "public office is public trust"
You are preparing now for participation
in the coming campaign which is one OF
great Importance. Depending upon its re-
suits, will be the shape given to Federal
legislation and the policy to govern the
Federal administration for the next four
years, if not for longer time Mr.. Cleve-
lands administration has been in marked
contrast to those of many previous terms,
and even the most implacable of his enc
mics are powerless to assail its ability, its
honesty, or its Americanism. He struck
down the factions and monopolies that had
enslaved the powers of the government,
and arrested from their grasp immense
boundaries of the public domain which had
been corruptly bargained away for the pur-
pose of concentrating powerful influences
seeking to perpetuate their rule. Above
all, he has been a power in promptly re-
party in his administration, thereby crea-
ting true national feeling in action as
well as in sentiment. On the contrary the
preceding administrations and Republican
control in States and communities every
where, were but mockeries of justice and
the exercise of prejudice and hateful
tyranny.
In upholding the administration of Mr..
Cleveland, you best maintain your own
rights and liberties, and bind stronger your
alliance with the Democratic party-the
only real National Union party of the
country. Under his administration, great
progress has moved forward in commercial
and manufacturing development in the
South, which would be stihed and turned
back in its course as the factions would
prey upon it for selfish and party purposes,
if this contest be lost. The agriculture OF
the country, which has struggled, as best
it could, through the dark years of the ex
actions heaped upon it, that sixty Thousand
pampered monopolsts might fatten on the
earnings of millions of farmers, would fai
of the relief which Democratic policy il
carving out for it.
The line of duty for all Democrats il
plain, and, especially at this time, they
should promptly follow in its course. TIE
party in Augusta county has large delin-
quency of the past to correct. The inactiol
of 1886 confronts every member Of thu
party, and especially those who were lulle'
by false security then. 1t is incumbep
on you to maintain your restored lines Will
a greater majority than that OF 1887. LIE
the majority of next November be a full
one, and in first preparations to secure il
observe the call for assembling yourselves
next Saturday, The 9th instant, and ther
commence the work upon the results Of
which so much depends.