The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-09-12
Too Late.


conference of especially invited Repub-
licans at Gen. Mahone's residence in Pc
tersburg, among them the committee of
ten, appointed to revise the plan of Or
ganization, that modification of that
plan has been agreed upon. 1t is further
said that large number of this remod-
eled plan will be printed in circular form
and spread broad cast over the State
Assuming this statement to be correct,
it indicates the appreciation in which the
intelligence of the Republicans of Vir-
ginia is held at Republican headquar-
ters After all that was contemplated
has been accomplished under the des-
potic plan of organization, by virtue of
which Gen. Malone, the chairman of
the State Committee, is the sole and SUI
preme authority, it is consistent with
the whole administration of party at
fairs since the plan was adopted, that
this last deception should be perpe-
trated The chairman, under the power
conferred by the plan, has removed eve
nv county chairman who was not a Ma
honite; he called his convention, had
his delegates appointed, and under
these influences he had himself noml-
mated as the pre-ordained and legitimate
result of his orders and now when the
storm he has invoked is raging and
threatening his destruction, he losses
tub to the whale, in the form of a modi-
fication of his plan, in the hope of saw
ing himself 1t is done at a time when
there is nothing to be effected by it, so
far as the purpose of the plan is con
cerned. The result of it was attained in
his nomination. Beyond that is the
ballot-box-the Republican voters. 1t
is their privilege to pass upon the plan,
the work it has effected, and the enslaye-
me 1t it assures. The very fact of a
mo LITIGATION, at this stage of the game,
is a confession that it is wrong that
whit has been done under it is the out
CONF of wrong; and the change is made
in or Ter that the people may be appeased
an deluded into all endorsement OF this
wrolr. Instead of an honest concession
that the plan is autocratic and unfit to
govern where its work is practical, the
popular intelligence is insulted by the
transD rent device. of making change
when ii is too late-when there is moth
ing 20 do under it, and when all the mis-
chief has been accomplished.
A cha 1ge at this time is merely a con-
fession til 1t the plan is what those who
oppose it charge that it is-a machine
to insttu e and perpetuate one-man
power and defy the will of the people.
1t is, further, device by which, if pos
sible, to appease popular Indignation and
escape fro the righteous judgment OF
the PEG DE for the abuse of confidence
repose and the usurpation of power
not intel led to be conferred.
1t is farther stated that Gen. Malone
will con inue as Chairman of the State
Comm ttee. to conduct his own canvass
and app 'oprate the sinews of war; This
is proper under all the circumstances
The prim iries were his the county con
ventions were his; the State COnven
ton was his the nominations were his
and now the canvass and its results
should be his.
1t is fortunate that it is so in view o.
all the facts Of the case 1t will give the
people chance to pass judgment upor
the whole combine-the machinery, it,
uses AM abuse, and the results Of
its work :lg All is concentrated il
ernor Himself. 1t gives them the OPP
portunty to get rid of the despoti(
plan. its creator and its executor, all a.
one iii e, and emancipate the part!
from / ty ranny that has paralyzed it,
united energies, diminished its usefulness
and assured its defeat.
The plaza, its outcome, its chairman
its candidates, and the wrongs that have
been perp 4trared under it, are all befor,
the people III the person of the candi
date Tor Governor. The issue is thu.
made up in convenient and pregnant
form. The people are called upon tC
pass iud gment upon it, and to say
whether they approve or disapprove O
each and ali The phases of Mahoneisn
as thus presented, and whether they are
wllins longer to submit to one mar
power
1t is too late 10 modify now, except al
an admission that the plan and all OF IL:
results ougiit 10 be condemned. The
people will not be deceived by any pre-
tended concessions, where concession:
mean notiing. The business now is tc
repudiate the plan, its author and its
candidat land for the Republican voters
Of Virginia to assert their freedom, theil
right and their manhood, in a verdict
that will carry a lesson with it for al
time to come to bosses, big and little,