The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-06-20
A TIP for the Democracy.

Harris from the Valley, and Beirne and
McKenny from east of the Ridge, are the
most frequently mentioned, but neither
of them would prove a winning candidate.
The Republicans, with most any nominee |
of fairly constituted Convention, could |
easily beat Beirne or O'FeTrall, deeply |
taintt as they are with free trade. In |
some portions of the east there might be
rally on Beirne, on the race question.
but in the Valley, the rank and file OF the
Democracy could not be marshalied IN
solid pbalanX to the support OF any one
whose sympathies are with the free trade
idea, and the race issue will have no notice
able influence with the common-sense PEG
pie OF this portion of the State. McKln-
ney would be very apt to fall into the error
of most of the prominent Democratic
politicians of the eastern part OF the
State, of making race prejudice para
mount. That would be fatal to him, or
any one else who would shoulder such re.
sponsibility. Harris probably presents
more elements of strength than either OF
the gentleman we have named, except that
after a successful political career, he now
| is on the side track, because he refused to
| lead his party in 1880. when it was regard
ed HOPELESS struggle. This has never
been forgotten. But Harris is not dead.
He is not one of the dying kind so long as
he can breathe His obituary might be
written the eighth time. but he would
come up smiling on the ninth occasion-ln
the Nlrvina state. after passing through
political puTgatory and turning a back
summersault, light upon his feet, whether
the tariff, the debt, or any other issue is
pressed to the front, With either of these
gentlemen carrying the Democratic ban
ner, the Republicans with a good ticket
would have almost certain victory.
Gen. Billy Paine. whose name has been
suggested for the Democratic nomination,
would be formidable candidate. but 1t is
understood that be does not want and
would not accept ii. He is one of those
chivalric, genial, warm. hearted gentle-
men, whom everybody likes, and as gifted,
mentally. as he.is brave and magnanimous,
physically and morally. lie would Stir up
an enthusiasm that no one else could, and
would bring out the largest vote. on 10th
sides, ever cast in the State. But he is
ont Of the question by his own yolition.
The tip we tender the Democracy is not
ia the interest of either of these
prominent Democrats 1t looks to a gen.
tleman who just now, is out of job, and
who has never been suggested or thought
of in connection with the Governorship.
AS is known, the VIRGINIAN has the gift
of reading the political stars, and when 1t
puts on its studying cap can generally
foretell events. or outline policy that
has the merit of popularity in it. We,
therefore. suggest tOl the pertnrbed De
mccracy that they come to the Valley and
nominate Judge Henry G. Allen, of Shen-
andoah who has just resigned from the Of
fee of United States Attorney for the West
elm district of Virginia. He would close
the breach among the Democracy Of the
Old Tenth Legion, occasioned by the an
tagonism between Harris and O'Ferrall.
He would rally the unterriisd of the Valley
as no other man in the State could. When
Harris declined the nomination in 1880 for
Congress, and others TO whom it was ten
dered followed his example, Alien. yielding
to the call of his party in an emergency and
recognizing his duty to obey its commands
under all circum stances, reluctantly con-
sented to make the campaign. although 1t
was regarded as certain that defeat would
follow. He made a splendid fight and sur
passed the most sangune expectations Of
his friends il the ability, earnestness and
adroitness with which be conducted the
contest While he did not win. he sur
prised both parties by the closeness of the
vote, and the lessened majority fer his
Readjuster opponent. Not only did Allen
show his pluck and party devotion in that
notable conflict, but he is one of the clean
est and ablest men in the State. He pos
sesseS elements of strength that no other
Democrat does. and would be the hardest
except Billy Payne.
We have given this tip to the Democracy
for several reasons. ! f Allen should be
nominated. we would have decent cam
paign. He would indulge iii no sensation
al appeals; would scorn to villify and
SANDER his opponent, but would deal fairly
and frankly with all the questions that
might be german to the contest. And
should he be elected, he would assure to
the people AL honest cOnserva i've admin
istratiolI-under which the rights of all
citiz-Ds would be respected, and the honor
of the State protected. so far as in him
would lie.
| What the Republicans desire is to have
a manly discussion of the principles and
policies of the two parties. They desire
to discuss before the people legitimate,
practical issues, and to appeal to the rea
son and judgment of the voters for Just
and impartial verdict at the ballot box.
With such nominee as we hope they will
present, such a canvass would follow, if
Judge Allen were on the other side. AL.
len would. it is true. be the most formida-
bic man the Democracy could select, but
w. would prefer to have close and even
doubtful contest, on such llnesas would be
then drawn, to having a walk oyer, with
the worst passions of the people aroused,
and the interest of the Commonwealth
jeopardized. We want to see one canvass.
at least. before we shuttle off this mortal
coil, that will reflect credit upon the COM
mon sense and conservative instincts of
the people-n which all citizens can par
| ticpate. on one side or the other. without
apprehension of flood of billingsgate
| and SANDER, and where the participants
or either side will be treated as citizens
of the State, with common interests and
animated by common motives of pa
triotism.
We do not charge anything for this tip
to the Democracy. 1t will bea revelation
to most of them that they have man of
Judge Aliens mould and character, We
place his name in the connection we do.
in the interest of decent politics, as well
as the reputation of the State at home and
abroad. If we could defeat him, as we be- |
lieve we could, if the Republicans should |
make wise nomination, We would have |
the credit of defeating a gentleman in |