Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-10-23
VIRGINIA In DANGER.

qualification we believe it is true, and that
is, that her SONS should appreciate the dam
ger, for then they will rush to her defense.
That she is in danger now is most certain,
but co the masses of the people properly ap
preciate that fact? "There is the rub,
and that is the question which gives her
flial and intelligent sons deep concern at
this time. If they were certain that the
masses fully appreciated the impending
danger, their minds would be relieved.
The real truth is, that Virginia was never
is such danger, both of ruin and disgrace,
as she is at this time, and her sons should
rally with determined spirits to her de-
tense. All other considerations are subor-
dinate 10 the rescue of Virginia from the
direful fate with which she is now menaced
by her worst foe,-a son of her own loins.
His birth, which she could not control, was
not her fault, but her grlevous misfortune
the mother of mankind gave birth to Cain,
and, woe the day, Virginia gave birth to
Malone. That event she could not con-
troll, bat lives to lament it most grievously.
His name will Ego sounding down the
corridors of time" as the Catalina OF Fir-
ginia-the worst foe to her honor, fame,
and liberty, as we'll as to her material inter
ests.
And he has the audscity and presumption
to aspire to be her Governor, and loudly
and unblushingly boasts that he will be, in
spite of the opposition Of the majority of
her intelligent and liberty loving sons. In
the language of Cicero, GLOW long, o Cata-
line, will you abuse our patience9" Will
not the sons of Virginia, without regard to
party affiliations, see the danger, and rush
to the rescue Of their mother, Virginia?
The question of party divisions is not, in
the slightest degree, involved in this crisis
of Virginia's fate. 1t is simply question
of saving Virginia, as before remarked, not
only from ruin, but from what is even
worse. dsgrace-ruin irreparab!e, and dis
grace ineffaceable.
o sons of Virginia, 'ff you have nature
in you, bear it not" Rise in your most In
dignant wrath, and, with all the strength
with which nature has endowed you, crush
beneath an iron heel the presumptious ty-
rant who would destroy your liberties and
place brand of disgrace upon your fair
and pure escutcheon. There is no possible
excuse for any son of Virginia who shall
fail to do his duty in this momentods crisis
of Virginia's fate. Should her sons fail to
rescue her, it would be better for those who
failed in the performance Of their duty to
her that they had never been born, and
they might we'll pray for the ''monntains to
fall upon them," for the indignant eondem-
nation of Virginia's true sons will be heap
ed upon them like "Pelion upon Ossa
piled"
To Gen. Robert E. Lee is accredited the
saying, that "duty is the sublimest word in
the English language" That was bis view,
and by that his noble and distinguished
life was governed and directed. Gould
there be greater duty than that of endeav-
oring to rescue from ruin and disgrace the
State that gave you birth?
When necessary to save the State, it be-
comes the duty of the patriotic citizen to
sacrifice even life ITSELF This many have
done and We honor and revere their sacred
memories. The duty to save the State now
rests upon her soos. Fortunately it does
not necessitate the sacrifice of either life or
limb, but simply the duty of going to the
polls and voting as all honest and liberty
loving citizens should.
Virginia is in danger, great danger, but
it is within the power of her sons to save
her. They can, if they will do their duty
"Pluck from the nettle, danger, the flower,
safety"
ALI is not lost that is in danger, and it is
not too late to rescue the State. The dan
ger is, that the masses of the people do not
fully appreciate the situation. They are
resting supinely, we fear. 10 false securi-
ty, whereas they should be aroused to the
danger and actively striving to avert it.
No man should fail to be at the polls on
the 9TH of November, and none should fail
to vote in behalf of che liberties and best
interests of Virginia, and that will be done
by voting for the Democratic ticket with
out a scratch.
Virginia, though more imperilled than or
any time in her history,--even more than
when invaded by hostile armies and when
her bosom was furrowed by the plough
share OF war-asks not her sons to sacrfice
life or limb, or to discharge the deadly shot
and shell; but simply to discharge their pa
triotic duty by going 10 the polls and cast
ing their votes in her defense. Can arg
true son fail to respond to her appeai?--
Can any one refuse to do this much for
the mother that gave him birth? As Gin.
cinnatus left the plough in the furrow, when
asked to save his country, 30 should every
farmer do on the 9Th of November, when
Virginia calls him to save her from worse
fate than that which threatened Rome
when Cincnnatus was called to save Der.
Let our farmers save the State, and then,
rs Cineinnatus returned to his home after
saving Rome, SO they can return to their
peaceful and quiet homes with the crafty
ing consciousness of having done their
duty, by voting to save the State. Do your
duty, and have, at least, the approva. o.!
vour own conscience, even if you should
fl in acco npishing the end 30 devoutly
wished, The duty, though freighted with
the most momentous import ance, is plain
+. nd simple and easily performed--it is only
+. 90 to the polls On the 9th of November
and cast your vote foe the straight Demo.
cratic ticket Are there any who will fail
to do this simple duty? We most earnestly
hope not. Ifyou love your mother, show
j, ~ i'ur acts