The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-05-09
Gen. Walkers Political Status.

line HlcnlDOHu D3SpQLcf, OF SUNDAY last,
publishes an interview with Gen. James
A. Walker, giving his political status. 1t
is dated at Wytheville, April 26. 1859.
From it we take the following:
"What is the object of the Protective conyen-
| ton called at Birmingham with which your
name is connected ~
| 81 understand the object to be to unite the
Die ,ctive element Of the South wi h a view of
eecting Protection representatives to Congress
from Protection districts, irrespective Of their
past or present party aifliations'
sWhat other Democrats are in sympathy with
| it besides yoursell?"
81 can't answer the question because | have
had no correspondence with any democrat ex-
| cept Judge Nowlin, formerly editor Of the Rich
mond Wing, who is heartily in accord with the
movement.
81 have heard of number of others who SYM
pathze with us, but do not feel at liberty to give
| their names
political way?"
ave propose to send many staunch protec-
tionists to Congress from southern districts who
will not surrender their convictions on that ques,
ton to party eXpediency or caucus dictation, but
who will in all other matters be left free TO act
with the party of their choice We hope by |
this means to make protection the fixed policy of
the Government for years to come, no matter |
what party may come into power, and thereby |
relieve manufacturers from the anxiety and |
doubt occasoned by constant agitation of the
tariff question"
! "Mhat makes you believe that the whites are
willing to divide on the tariff question ?'
| "The rapid growth of manufacturing enter>
prises in the South makes it to the interest of |
| the manufacturing districts to seek protection
and the men who are building up the New
| lx-1-s al. IL.
are not politicians they will make protection a |
| paramount issue in all elections for members of
Congress"
as it true that you and Malone have made
upf"
| General Malone and myself have never had |
any personal quarrel or difference to make up !;
nor have we ever had any political reconciia- |
ton. | had short interview with General |
Malone in Washington few days ago, which |
had no political significance whatever and very
little was said about politics.
| "Who will control the Federal patronage in |
Virginia, Malone or Wise?''
| "You will have TO ask President Harrison that |
question. l doubt whether the Administration
will help either faction SO long as they continue
at war. 1t looks as if the patronage in Virginia
is to be used TO compel truce, if not lasting
peace"
slave you ever been approached to run for
as an independent Democratic candidate ?''
81 have not. All the information l have on
the subject of my being a candidate for Gov
ernor has been derived from the newspapers |
am not an asprant for the honor, and do not
want it at this time. l have never supposed [
would be an acceptable candidate TO either po-
htical party. l claim TO be independent in
politics, and reserve the right to vote as seems
to me best. | am Protectionst because be
lieve the interest of the whole country, and es-
pecially of the New South will be promoted
thereby. If this makes Republican l am
one. But by way of compromise on that ques-
ton am willing to accept the tariff plank Of the
Virginia Democracy as laid down in their Roam
oke platform two years ago. If other gentle-
men choose to repudiate and spit Oh that plat
form, let them not charge inconsistency on those
who still adhere TO its uerances
81 favcr the repeal of all internal revenue .
laws, and especially those on tobacco and fruit
brandies This was good Democratic doctrine
from 1868 to 1888, and if gond Virginia Demo-
Gratis have weakened on this question in the
interest of free trade charge them with incon-
sistency.
81 am in favor of the blair bill because the
Democracy of Virginia pledged the people to do
all in their power to secure its passage and l
believe party pledges ought TO be made in good
faith and carried out in good faith !
81 am in favor Of settling the State debt upon !
terms which will be satisfactory to the creditors
and wi'hin the revenues OF the State. speedy
settlement OF the debt question is OF vast mpor>
lance TO the materia! growth and prosperity at
The Stale, and the hostile. unirlendly, unjust,
and unconstitutional acts of the General Assem-,
bly, tending to hinder, delay, and defraud' the
creditors of their contract rights are unworthy of
the Commonwealth and a reproach TO her peo-
pie.
81 am opposed 10 opening or keeping alive
IL |
the race issue IN Virginia Tor partIzan political
purposes. All men are equal before the law;
but no sane man, white or black, believes for
one moment that large majority of white {
people in this State will ever permit her politi-
CAL financial or social status TO be fixed by the .
ialaorlty OF eolored VOTERS he race issue is q
the last resort OF desperate politicians when de-
feated on all other issues. 1t is convenient
appeal to the preJudIces OF the white people and
often very effective one, but 1t Is 4 dangerous
poses by the stronger against the weaker race. G
Lastly; am In favor OF avoiding as lar as
possible all sectlonal questions and issues and
reforming party lines on economic questions
ana pure state government, controlled by the
.ne pslro,is ISL. AM .ne worm OF heI
p soP,' s.o "E.us solio Nol'n anu song
,u.. 81, III = , a.'.. nena'I " 'ne peace Oh
I - III vire,;,,;as ~ ~ ~ ,,
sons Administrator fair iral M, nn rna;a
SUI Aunl,ais.ia1'on lali trial|approVing
, VIVA, % aI h anu consuming oniy wnal Is
vi ,h= "na " " WIN MN IN
80 .lI " .' ~ ''iay 'eI'ion't lee4'
ing re In Il 80 - s. Il s oy e,i.e
~ $50 = ny l~sent ~ noiu eooa
'inis p'ol'sEs 10 AVOID all Inn
i p1I th hast a ~, un' 'o ~ iailS ana 70
om ,hn;r Sta,e afa,rs ,"e 5ou'n ~ man,
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p "In nll;no Fede,ol Offices 4 saso,S a;.,osoa T.,
nee ibn vIv hest n'.ar;al ses1 70
would G he nyw pes' in D a"r aon alaa''e anu