The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-01-05

We see from quotation in city CO.
temporary that Maj. ], e. Watts. of Taze-
we'll county, is of opinion that the VIR.
aINIAN did more to defeat the election of
Republican Legislature than all the
Democratic papers In the State, and tina:
Hon. John s. Barbour shoald reward its
editor with the best office under his con-
troll. The Major seems to differ from an
other of the writers who are trying to find a
pe-goat for the disastrous result of the
November election. This last writer says
that the VIReINIAN has no influence, and
deliberately falsifes public events and
suppresses facts to sustain his assertion.
We may have occasion to uncover this wri>
ter hereafter. In the meantime weput the
one statement against the other. and let
them go for what they are worth. If, howev-
er, Major Watts would study the figures OF
the recent election he would find that
eulation. there the Democratic majority
was reduced. For instance. in Augusta
county it was cut down from about 1900
TO about 900, as compared with the last
Legislative vote. In Rockbridge the Dem
|ocratic majority was largely reduced, and
would have been entirely overcome, had
Timely support been given by the State
Executive Committee. In Rockingham.
the Republicans carried the county, on
the largest vote ever cast there. Similar
IN the Allegheny district While we do
aot claim these results as a credit to
the VIRGINIAN, they demonstrate the mis-.
ake of Maj. Watts. Where the Republi-
gan loss was the greater was in the dis
'tricts Immediately under our CHAR
man's;' eye. In his own town the vote
fell off nearly 1000. and had the Demo
Gratis polled their full strength that Repub
iiean stronghold would have been lost. In
the Two congressional districts where the
Republicans have the largest majorities,
in one of which the Chairman lives, the
estimated loss to the Republicans is 10000.
In one of them where the REPUBLICANS
should have elected fifteen members of
the General Assembly they secured only
seven. We lost three in the Shenandoah
and Page districts because some of the
fespeeial friends Of the Oh airman bolted
and worked against the regular nominees.
for which they received the public thanks
,of the Democratic press.
We suggest to the Major not to jump at
conclusions and reckless!y charge results
where there are no facts to Justify it. AS
to his 9pinion about the Republieanism of
the VIRGINIAlg, we do not recognize his
right to play the censor. When his SER
vices to the party and those the VIRGIN
IAN has rendered are brought into COM
parison we do not think this raperrwill be
placed at disadvantage We, however. do
not question the right of the Major to his
opinions. They do not distNrb rs nor will
they affect ouT political relations. A few
sentimental partiZans who do not seem to
c0prehend the mission of parties or the
bass of their organization and existence,
haze undertaken the job of reading the
fIRGINIAN out of the Republican party.
they are encouraged by others who keep
the background, and operate from am
Ausb But we think they have bitten off
a little mora than they can conveniently
chew, and Instituted test of party fidel-
ity that cannot very we'll stand crucial
ordeal. The Republican party is some
thing more than acol.venience for political
laspirants. 1t is q party of principles,
which underlie governmental policies, land
the VGRGINIAN will be found battling for
them Ntgn probably sarae Of those most
active in assailing it, may be cheek by
ywl with the vociferous Democrats who
Join them in their crusade. The VIRGIN
Ian has passed through a good many Sc
we're ordeals and always came out stronger
at the close than at the beginning. 1t is
not afraid Of the people. and certainly has
no compromise to suggest, or surrender to
make to tue serving politicians, 1t wilF
be found for the right, as 1t understands
it. all the time, and will utter its beliefs
fearlessly. independent of the growing
and fault-finding of those who seek to
make another test than the principles aud
success Of the party. as the guage of party
duty. -
Gen. J. G. Hill has leased his paper, the
ScottsylIle Courier, 10 his son, Mr. J. c.
Hill, Jr., by whom it will hereafter be