The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-07-04
Gov. Foraker.

On Wednesday last, on the second bal
lot, Gov. Joseph B. Foraker was nomi-
mated unanimously by the Republican
State Convention as the Republican can
didate for Governor of Ohio. Six years
ago the honor Of bearing the Republi-
can banner in a State canvass was con-
ferred upon him, but in that contest he
was defeated by Gov. Hoadley. Two
wears afterwards the same candidates
were before the people and Gov. For
aker was elected by IL, 900 majority. Two
years subsequent to this Foraker was
again unanimously commissioned to rep
resent the party for the highest office in
the State, and was elected by $4,000 ma
jority Without being candidate, and
indeed, without being in nomination be
fore the Convention, he has been called
upon once more to bear the old standard
that represents American progress and
American intelligence. The eXtraordi-
nary compliment implied in the renew
al of the confidence of his party was
probably the proudest event of the event
full life of one of the most gifted and
courageous of the young Republicans of
the country 1t is without parallel so
far as we know, except in the case OF
Patrick Henry, who was for three sue
cessiye terms elected Governor of Vir
ginia by the Legislature of the State, and
Gen. r. B. Hayes, who served third
term in Ohio.
20 Is a n q RQnnh-
lican, and in dealing with public ques-
tions INDUCES in no doubtful terms or
ambiguous sentences. He speaks out
plainly, and this very plainness gives oc-
casion for the hypercritical to pass I'm
friendly criticism, when they cannot
confront his positions with argument.
The passionate assaults which have been
made upon him by some of the South
ern press have created a prejudice in the
minds of Southern people uot justified
by the facts. Believing in the justice of
the Union cause, Gov. Foraker, as a sol
der, has spoken out in 40 uncertain
terms on that subject, just as Southern
soldiers have done. He said no more in
vindication of the cause he espoused i'll
1861, than Gov. Lee has said as to the
motives of the South Each has declar, d
his conviction in the justice of the prin-
eiple he maintained, and that difference
has not called down upon Gov. Lee the
maiedictions of the Northern press. In
tie presence of a preserved Union and
the benefits and blessings it assures,
there are very few intelligent Southern
men who regret that they are not living
under separate constitution and gov
eminent, with all the responsibilities and
dangers that condition would carry with
it, Personally for the South Gov. For
axer feels kindly. His prompt and mag
unanimous response to the call of the
suffering in Charleston, when it was torn
and lacerated by the shock of the earth
quake, spoke more for his broad sympa-
thy and christian friendship than whole
volumes of set phrases and rounded pc
RODS could have done. He recog-
nized that terrible calamity had been
visited npon the people OF a common
untry, although of distinct section,
and he came with open and generous
hand, clothed with the power of great
Commonwealth, to sncc0r and relieve.
No Southern hater" could or would
have done SO. Foraker harbors and en-
courages no other than the kindlisst
feeling for the people of the South, how
ever much he may regard and condemn
the political methods which prevail in
some of the Southern States.
Nor is his nomination for third terra
by the Republicans of Ohio any mani
festation of hostile sentiment towards
the Southern States. His splendid ad
of the local affairs of his
State; his manly, courageous bearing
at home and abroad, and his geniaE /
and generous action on all occasions
have endeared him to the people of
Ohio. and it was for these reasons that /
the Convention, with singular unanim-
ity, called him to the front to once more
boaf the Republican banner and cham
pion the cause of honest government. /