The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-10-31
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A Card.
have been reliably informed that report
has recently been circulated in Highland county
and other sections of this Congressional district
to the effect that intended to vote for General
Malone at the election next Tuesday
II my information is correct, some one is re-
sponsible for gross Misrepresentation.
have never voted other than a Republican
ticket in party contests, and never expect to as
long as the Republican party stands, as it now
stands the representative of principles the en-
forcement of which will, in my Judgment, con
tribute to the prosperity of the Nation and es-
pecally Of the South and of Virginia.
For the past fifteen years, as boy and man.
have endeavored to do all in my power to ad-
vance those principles to give to the people OF
Virginia pure. progressive government, based
upon the will of the majority. and having for its
corner stone an educated enlightened conStit
uency-a government that so far as laws can
affect conditions, would assure the upbuilding
of our section, the development of its natural
wealth and the prosperity Of all classes.
To that work am still devoted, and it is be-
cause am Republican and believe that in the
triumph of the principles represented by that
party, lies the suest hope of Virginia's material
advance that cannot and will not support the
candidacy of a man like VIM. Malone.
To do so, would be to stultify self and brand as
q falsehood every profession OF my political
life.
The election of VIM. Malone as Governor OF
Virginia would be disaster and disgrace to
the party at large as well as blight and curse
to the State He stands as the embodiment of
methods that no honest man can knowingly APP
prove, AMI no honest party can afford to en-
dorse The thin guise of a sO-called nomination
should deceive no one 1t was the nomination
of a convention that was travesty upon the
name of Republicanism-the contamination OF
a series of open frauds and unblushins rascal
tiles, perpetrated upon the Republicans of Vir-
ginia.
For those frauds Republicans are not respon-
sble. But to my mind, they shoulder, in meas
ure that responsibility when they seek to elevate
to the highest position in the State, the author
and beneficiary OF such practices. And it is this
question of responsibility which the Republicans
of Virginia must face-a responsibility more far
reaching in its consequence than the unthinking
may suppose
No man familiar with Malone and his history
can seriously doubt the use he would make OF
any power with which he might be invested
He is arbitrary, self-willed, despotic During
his long and varied political career, as True Re
publcan-Conserative- Democrat Readjustel
Republican, he has been consistent in but one
thing-a reputation for the worst political meth
DDS, for self aggrandizement. and subordina-
ton of every interest to his own behests. Al
home and abroad, in his own town well as in
the remotest State of the Union, his name is the
synonym of political corruption. Throughout
the nation he is known as trader in public
spoils, without character, conscience or convic-
ton.
1t is this man the Republicans of Virginia are
asked to recognize as the exponent of principles
dear to them, and which, through good and ill
repute, in the face of overwhelming odds, they
have bravely and manfully sustained through
all these years of bitter persecution and trial
If the tree is to be judged by its fruit, what must
be thought Of party that recognizes such lead
ership, and in the future with what grace can
we appeal in behalf of good government to the
people of Virginia? For years to come the
stigma of his candidacy will rest upon us if we
do not repudiate it now when the opportunity
is offered.
We can afford to face defeat, but we cannot
afford to invite disgrace. We can afford to lei
the State rest i'll Democratic hands, for we are
not responsible for their administration, theil
plumbers, or their crimes Butw cannot afford
in the name of Repubiicanism, to inaugurate at
Richmond an administration controlled by a
despot whose every ambition is the qualification
of self, and who would not hesitate, one nom
emit, to trample beneath his feet the dearest in
| terests of the Commonwealth.
To do so would be to set back the cause of Re
publicanism in Virginia for a decade, if not a
generation. 1t would turn from us the think
ing, Independent vote, and remand the State,
for years to come, to the undsputed control OF
Democracy. No party can achieve substantial
success, deserve it, that is not builded on the
reason and Judgment of self Prospecting men.
And no party cali command the support of self
respecting men, which has not the strength OF
character to root out rascality i'll its own ranks
Good government, like charity should COM
mence at home. 1t will be a laborious and
thanklesS task to endeavor to convince others
of the Justice Of our cause and the purity OF our
purpose, when the household to which we invite
them is reeking with the corruption from which
we would rescue it,
And again, the harm is not alone to the Re-
publican party of the State, but of the Nation as
wen. Place Virginia under MahOnes control,
and the result would be condition of affairs
that would bring the blush to the cheek of hon
est Republicans throughout the Union. The
party at large would BE held responsible, and
all who know the man can well imagine what
that responsibility would involve.
1t seems to me, in this contest, there is but one
course to pursue: Stamp out Malone and Ma
honeism by all honorable means. Vote for good,
true Republicans wherever they are candidates,
but strike from the ticket. as unworthy of q
place there, the name of VIM. Mahone OF any of
his supple, seivile tools.
Respectfully, J. YOsT.