Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-02-06
SPEECH OF COL. RICHARD F. REFINE.

1t is the purpose of the Powhatan Club
of Richmond to invite all Democratic can.
ditates for Governor to deliver speeches be-
fore it. The Club now consists of 300
members, but it has resolved to increase
the number to 500. On last Friday night,
that Club was addressed BY Col. Richard
F. Beicne, who spoke, as reported by the
Dispatch, as follows:-
Mr.. President and Gentlemen of the
Powhatan Club:
thank you for the honor you haze ex-
tended to me in inviting me to address you
on the political issues of the hour, an houor
which l gratefully received ard to which
now gladly respond.
A few months ago our hopes were high
and victory seemed certain, but in single
day our hopes were dashed to the ground
and defeat was our lot. Our disappoint-
rnent was bitter for the time, but we have
| calmly accepted the result, and are taking
fresh courage for renewed efforts in behalf
of the great Democratic party.
WHY WE WERE DEFEATED.
Facts show that our defeat was not a
popular rebuke of our policy. On the con-
trary our popular majority was nearly one
hundred thousand, ana that majority would
have been effective but for the intervention
of that antiquated continuance, the electoral
college system, which ought to have Deen
abolished long ago and laid away in the
lumber room of WORKOUT devices. By the
| help of that undemocratic institution there
was given to evil Influences an extraordi-
nary power for combination and concentra-
| ton.
| THE EXPLANATION.
| Il was not popular distrust, but union
of corruption, treacheTy, and sectional ami
mostly that defeated that enlightened
statesman and devoted patriot, Grover
Cleveland. He represented the time hon.
ored opinions and traditions of the Demo
cratic party. For this we should admire
him, but we should admire him not less
| for the undaunted courage he displayed in
disregardipg the whispered warnings of ex
padient time-servers ard in recognizing the
| worth of the ablest Sous of the South with
out sectional difference or distinction.
THE TRUSTED SAGE IN RETIREMENT.
Had he hearkened to these cautious ad-
visers be might have carried several States
in the Northwest and been President for a
second term. But he would have forfeited
the high opinion 10 which every patriotic
him. He might have been President again
but for bis abborrepce of sectionalism; and
for tbs he deserves our perpetual respect
and admiration. He will remain for the
rest of his life honored and esteemed by all
true Democrats. As Jefferson at Mont
cello. Madison at Montpelier, and T,ldon
at Greystone, SO will Cleveland be recog-
nized in his honorable retirement by the
Democracy of the whole country as the
| trusted sage and ablest counsellor of his
party.
FEDERAL ISSUES NON ESSENTIAL IN THIS
CANVASS.
But we must not dwell upon the posi-
bilities of the past. We gust press on to
the support of other men and other mea-
sures. The differences of the past shall.
not be differences among us now. In the
coming State campaign we must be united
in striving for one great end-honest, H.
| telljoent local government. Whatever a
mans opinions on Federal questions may
have been, whether for protection or for
| tariff reform, for prohibition or for liceuse,
for a gold standard of the currency or for the
unlimited coinage of silver, If he be DEM
ocrat no difference on one of these subjects
shall divide him from bis brethren. These
issues do not confront us now. The Dem
oorat who differs with bis brother Demo
crst in one thing cannot afford to give aid
and comfort, directly Or indirectly. to the
enemy, with whom he agrees in one thing,
but differs in all others Federal issues in
State canvass are non essential. VINO
would be SO short sighted as to subordi-
nate to a non essential the essential issues
of great campaign.
HOW VIRGINIA sHoULD DE RULED.
Democrats must agree for the time to lay
| aside all other issues aud stand solidly,
unanimously iu defence of that great vital
princjp!e, the rule of the honest thrift aid
com mon seuse of Virginia. We must pre-
serve our local self government, intelligent
ly and honestly conducted. We must pre-
serve it in accordance With our constitu
! tional rights We must defend it against
the Vaccinations of its time.serying enc
ules-State and Federal-guarding it sa-
| crediy against the lawless hands OF internal
| foes a, d against the unlawful schemes of
arrogant polit cal invaders. Virginia must
be ruled by the people of Virginia. Her
honest, patriotic peope must guard her
elections Her right OF local self govero
meDt shall not be wrested from her by the
plots of the Shermans, the Forakers, the
Chandlers. and other implacable South
haters in remote States. The remaining
RIGHTS of the STATES shall not be puiloiued
| from them by the cunning devices of sec
tiopal partisans. Republican schemers
must not succeed under the false pretence
of preserving the pnrity of the ballot and
| securing a free suffrage, only in throwing
nrotect,ve arm around class of fraudulent
votets-minors, DISTINGUISHED. 1epeaters-
whose individuality is iudis5ioct aud whose
identity in obscured by snch a veil of dark
ness as can only be successfully penetrated
by the most viglant and persistent inEesti.
CATION.
THE DEMOCRATIC RECORD.
| Tbs Democratic party goes before the
people of Virginia this year with renewed
courage and with greater strength than
ever before Turning away from Federal
issues, which have no logical place in this
contest, it wages it's battles over those State
questions 1hich alone demand immediate
consideration It will bs thoroughly equip
ped for the campaign. 1t eau point With
powerful and convincing forcs to the cheq
uered career of its opponents during their
brief, bat eventful tenure OF poser, and
compare the reckless aud injurious poiicv
they pursued with its own just, economical.
aud fruitful administration.
FIrz LEE.
The Democrats of Virginia can point with
pride 70 chief executive who, for sound
Judgment and devoted patriotism, has not. q
superior in the long and brilliant list OF
men who have filled his high station. He
has been courageous leader, discreet
public officer, and man always accessible
TO the people, always ready patiently to
hear the story of their needs, and always
ready promptly to respond to their reason
able demands.
TIE VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
The Democrats OF Virginia can hold up
to tho public eye clean and unb!otted rec
I'd of useful legislative service. They
can show how, in response to the needs OF
the farmers, tbsy have made wise and lib
eral lamentations for encouraging agl icul-