Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-10-18
CAMERON ON MALONE.
AN ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF
VIRGINIA-OLD TRANSACTIONS
REVIEWED.

AN ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF
VIRGINIA-OLD TRANSACTIONS
REVIEWED.
a special dispatch to the Baln.
more san from Petersburg, Va,
says: &.
10 the People Of Virginia: Elect
ed IN the year 1881, b, "A majority
approaching 1000 votes, and that
mHjoTity composed of all classes
and elements of our population. to
the highest Office Of your gift, /
assumed that trust with the sincere
desire to deal honestly with every
interest. individual and general.
committed to my charge ss Gov.
ernOr.
For my guidance there was:
First, The constitution which /
Was sworn to observe aud obey.
Second, The laws passed by the
general assembly IN consonance
with that Instrument, which | WAS
sworn to execute.
Third, and subordinate 10 these,
but not less sacred within proper
limitation. the fultillment of pledges
made TO the party which nominated
and elected me.
Reviewing those four years,
claim TO have made continuous
AMI conscientious effort to reconcile
and discharge those obligations,
eV..' when sometimes apparently
cot citing. Perhaps, in some re.
speL-s, ! failed. | should have
been more or less than mortal had
such not been the case. II so, the
failure was not due to any lack of
an earnest sense o: duty or for the
want Of a controlling wish TO be
faithful in the execution Of all these
trusts.
Retiring from that high position,
] had tOped 70 have land believe
haye) the Endorsement Of a large
majority Of my tellow.cltizpns TO
the fact that my endeavOr was
right, no matter what my accom-.
pllshment may have been. Still
admit thar my administration must
be judged by its results, and hold
it open to all fair and honorable
criticism. But there is a kind of
attack which il cOwardly aud i'm.
proper, and needs to be met with q
force OF language which, under or.
dlnary circumstances, would not be
UNSUITABLE. A reluctance TO enter
the arena of personal controversy
has kept me silent, though restiye,
for several cars, but now a sense
OF self-respect aud Of duty which
| Owe TO the people of whom have
been the chosen chief magistrate
demands that 1 should resent aud
repel assaults upon my personal
and official character, whether open
or iusidiOus and from whatever
source emanating.
In July, 1884, Gen. VIM. Malone
was United States Senator from
Virginia, chairman Of the Republ.
can party Of the State, also chief
owner OF the Richmond Wing, then
the recognized organ of the Repnb-
lican party Of Virginia. was
Governor. And Gen. Malone,
then and there, committed the
most dastdrdly attempt to assassl.
nate the political and personal
character OF an associate that can
be found IN history.
lie sat like a spider In his web
aC Washington, intent only upon
using his bargain with tho admin,
istration for the appointment OF
federal officers il Virginia, while I |
was IN Richmond confronting a
two.thIrds Democratic majority in
the Legislature, and writing vetoes
daily against the acts of which he
now complains. The regular SEES
sion OF the Legislature expires, and |
the objects of our political oppO-
nents had not been perfected. | |
had destoyed the Mccormick cleo.
tOriaI bill and other legislation up.
on which the Democratic heart was
set. The Democrats wished an ex.
ira session to complete the gap in
their political work, and immedl.
ately set about to take lawful steps
to secure il.
The constitution OF Virginia pro.
vides (see article 4. section o. that
the Governor shall convene the
General Assembly on application
of twO.thirds Of the members Of
both houses thereof" knew this
provision and had regard TOR my
oath. But in anticipation of any act
of mine 10 regard to an extra ses.
sion occurred the attempt at assas.
slnation to which aluslon has been
made.
On July %. 1891, appeared in the
Richmond Wing an article signed
Xxx, aud dated at ROckbridge
Alum Springs, Va, which alleged
IN substance that |, William f..
Cameron, was abont to call an ex.
ira session OF the General Assem-
bly,. (rhen Democratic by two.thirds
majOritJ,) under the threat of i'm.
parchment and military coerslon it
| did not yield to that demand.
That statement was as false then as
It Is now. There ia no man in Vlr-
GINA who could have come to me,
Or who can come TO me, With any
threat, or with any bride, az to any {
action that | should take, person.
ally or officially, in regard 10 any {
rust committed to my charge, aud
both Of us be alive at the end of {
hat interview. No man ever did, I
md no man ever will, dare TO ap. I
)roach me with such proposition. |
was visited at Old'POint by Sem c
,tor Hurt, president Of the Senate 1
If Virginia, and by Judge Charles
:. Stuart, then speaker of the
louise of Delegates, hearing doc
Iment containing the signatures
II twO-thirds of tho members of
10Th houses to demand for an lex.
m snaslnn of the Lapislatnra | q