The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-02-16
A Remarkable Circular Letter.

quarters of the party il Ibis State, whence
nothing should emanate not designed to
harmonic its interests. promote its well
fare, and evoke an expression Of the manly,
honest sentiment Of the rank and file, in
the delegates to be sels cted to represent
the State in the Republican National Con-
vention.
1t Is remarkable that the recognized Of
fetal head Of the party in the State should
asSail the most prominent Republican
mentionedin connection with the Presi-
Dental nomination, and seek to poison
the minds of Republicans against gen
tleman who will, if be desires it, in all
PROBABILITY. become the nominee OF the
party for the Presidency.
1t is remarkable that, while protesting
TO serve the interest of another distln-
guished candidate the most effective means
to defeat him. should be recommended. Ii
it were supposed for a moment that Mr.
Sherman was cogniZant of the plot out
lined in this circular and the means used
20 prejudice Republicans against MT.
Blaine. there would be no more probability
of either his nomination. or election.
should he be nominated by packed dele
cations, than there would be for the nom :
nation and election of the author of the
letter.
It is remarkable in the exposure it
makes of The motives which should gov
ern in the selection of ii Presidential can
didate and the maguilied importance given
to the writer in the part he aspires oplay
From the assertions and assumptions OF this
document it might be inferred that MIR.
Blaine, as Secretary of State. and Mr..
Blaine as IA candidate for the Presidency
| in 1884, and Mr.. Blaine in a like relation
in 1883, had made and would make the
chairman of the Republican Committee
of Virginia the paramount and absorbing
object of his concern, and the one fatetul
obstruction which stands in the way OF al
/ of his ambitions-the controlling iniiu-
ence and arbiter. indeed. in determlng the
destiny. not only of the Republican party
but of the Nation.
| 1t is remarkable in the assertions thai
are made as they relate to events in lSSl
and subsequently. when the author was
not identified with the Republican party
did not profess to be Republican
aud could only reasonably claim recog
milton from that party by reason of th
fact that he was conspicuous in the con
test in the State in which Democracy wa
defeated. Some of the assertions mad
we know to be incorrect-others we hay
nc doubt. are, and that they may be me
and refuted. it is proper that they shout
go to the public"
1t is remarkable in that it asks endorse
ment by the Republicans OF the seyera
districts in Virginia of the recent seree
read before the National Committee. pre-
Tossing to voice the sentiments OF the lie
pnblicans of Virginia, when the fact is
is repudated by nine-tenths of those vii
have read 1t. and has been published b
only one Republican paper in the Stat
that we have noticed. 1t is condemne
certainly by three and probably by fou
of the five members of Congress WI
signed it. It was signed unfer the assui
ance that the purpose of its preparatlo
was to harmonic the party i'll the state
and present reasons why Virginia Nigh
bp counted on to cast her electoral vol
for the Republican Presidential nominees
if proper assistance should be rendered.
When it was found that the effect wa
lust the reverse. and that it was not re
Election of the sentiment of the party
the policy and purpose it outlined. thre
of the signers, certainly, expressed thel
dissent from it and regret that they ha
given their sanction to it, without ID
careful consideration such paper Shout
have had. and the fourth. as We have bee
informed. is now satisfied it was serlou
mistake Even if all the signers were nov
in accord with it, they simply would REP
resent themselves. and be entitled only /
such consideration and influence a
should be accorded to similar number
intelligent members of the party in thei
Individual relations, inasmuch as they ha
40 right to speak for the organization O
for the Republican masses, in matte
that was not discussed or passed upon i
their election to Congress and the Legs
lature. In fact there is not one of tn
five members Of Congress whose name
are attached to this address,, who coul
have been elected had he indicated to th
/, bot yuOn1d mppf hi
approval, and there is not one OF Their
who can be returned, with this address a
all expression of his sentiments. Two Q
the members signing were nominated, al
ter a fierce contest. by influences directl
antagonistic to the purpose and policy
the address, and did not represent tn
views of majority of their constituents
as made known in their nomlnatlo
in giving their sanction to it, No
would three~f0urths of the Republica
members of the Legislature have bee
chosen, if they had made it known tina
they would endorse such paper as tina
which the several Congressional district
are asked to approve and sustain, whel
they convene in formal convention to ap
point delegates to Chicago. AS to it
effect upon the National Committee
can be expressed in one word-dtsgmst.
1t is remarkable in that the policy i
urged Of suppressing the honest sentimen
of the party. as to a Presidential noml
nee. and 10y adopting the unit rule, plac
Virginia in the Convention at the dispo
sal Of one man to manipulate as his am
bition may direct. We have no unkin'
word to say of Nj. Sherman. We shall
give him an earnest support should he b
the nominee He is eminent in abillt
and experience. and a Republican to b.
trusted. but he is rot the choice of ma
jority of the Republicans of this State
for local reasons. There is no doubt tina
Mr. Blaine has the largest followin,
among Republicans in Virginia; next t.
him Harrison, and then Foraker if on
Judgment. based upon an extensive cor
respondence. is not at fault. But Whoev
er may be the nominee, the Republicans o
Virginia want no more bargains-no NOR
autocratic sway and despotic rule, b,
which one man would be invested will
supreme power, and control the policy O
the administration, should it be Republi