Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-03-02
A REMARKABLE CIRCULAR LETTER.
I From the Valley Vlrginian. ]

We publish in thus issue of the
Virginian, with an explanatory
paragraph, a circular letter marked
'personal and confidential sent
ont from Republican headquarters
for Virginia to such persons as it
was thought might become parties
to this proposed plan to assassinate
the Republican party Of Virginia.
1t 10 a remarkable paper in that it
comes from the headquarters of the
party in this State, whence moth
ing should emanate not designed
to harmonic its interests, promote
it's welfare, and evoke an expires.
sion of the manly, honest senti-
ment of the rank and file, in the
delegates to be selected to repre-
sent the State in the Republican
National Convention.
1t is remarkable that the recog-
nized official head of the party in
the State should assail the most
prominent Republican mentioned
IN connection with the Presidential
nomination, and seek to poison the
minds OF Republicans against a
gentleman who will, if he desires
it, IN all probability, become the
nominee of the party for the Presi-
dency.
1t is remarkable that, while pro.
Tossing to serve the interest Of
another distinguished candidate,
the most effective means to defeat
him, should be recommended. If
it we're supposed for a moment that
Mr.. Sherman was cognizant OF the
plot outlined in this circular and
the means used to prejudice
Republicans against Mr.. Blaine,
there would be no more probability
of either his nomination, or cleo
ton, should he be nominated by
packed delegations, than there
would be FOR the nomination and
election of the author of the letter.
1t is remarkable in the exposure
it makes of the motives which
should govern in the selection of a
Presidential candidate and the
magnified Importance given to the
writer in the part he aspires to
play. From the assertions and as.
sumptiOns of this document itmight
be inferred that Mr.. Blaine, as
Secretary of State, and Mr.. Blaine
as a candidate for the Presidency
in 1884, and Mr.. Blaine in a like
relation in 1888, had made and
would make the chairman OF the
Republican Committee of Virginia
the paramount and absorbing ob.
ject of bis concern, and the one
fateful obstruction which stands in
the way of all of his ambltions-the
controlling influence aud arbiter,
indeed, in determining the destiny,
not only of the Republican party,
but of the Nation.
Il is remarkable in the assertions
that are made as they relate to
events in 1881 and subsequently,
when the author was not identified
with the Republican party-did
not profess to be Republican, and
could only reasonably claim recog-
milton from that party by reason OF
the fact that he was conspicuous in
the contest in the State in which
Democracy was defeated. Some OF
the assertions made we know to be
Incorrect-others we have no doubt.
are, and that they may be met and
ref1ted, it is proper that they
should 90 to the public.
1t is remarkable In that II asks
endorsement by the Republicans OF
the several districts in Virginia of
the recent screed read before the |
National Committee, protesting to
voice the sentiments OF the Re.
pubicans of Virginia, when the
fact is it is repndiated by nine.
tenths of those who have read it,
and has been published by only