The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-02-20
Defyiag tho Government.

Defyiag tho Government.
The killing of Deputy U.S S. Marehall
Saunders in Florida, while on official
duty; the course of the citizens OF Sha-
ron, Ala, towards Mr.. Duckworth, the
recently appointed postmaster at that
place, and the treatment OF Franz, at
Aberdeen, Mississippi, indicate such an
utter contempt for and defiance OF the
laws and authority OF the government
as to place the communities where these
occurrences took place in an unenvlable
light. Each was a serious offence IN
itself Marshal Saunders was the victim
of diabolical conspiracy to prevent the
arrest and prosecution of persons who
had violated the election laws. His case
has aroused considerable feeling in
Washington official circles. The Presl-
dent has expressed himself very emphat-
ically on the subject, and said that such
outrages had to be stopped. if there was
power in the government to do it, Duck
worth was installed in his office by Dep
uty Marshalls and other officers OF the
government, although nothing could be
said against him as citizen except that
he was Republican.
1t is such insane acts that incite sec
tional feeling in the North, and justify ex-
IRENE legislative propositions in Con
gress. 1t may be taken for granted that
the government will not tolerate such
utter disregard for it's authority and such
brazen insults to its dignity. The case
of Saunders especially comes under gov
eminent cognizance An officer is bru-
tally assassinated to prevent him from
discharging his sworn duty, and to
screen fragrant violators of the U. s. law
In the case of Duckworth. who had been
appointed to Federal office, he was
threatened with death if he dared to
assume the duties of the position, and
had to leave the town to prevent vio-
lence. 1t was only when U. s. Marshails
and officials of the P. o. Department
accompanied him that he was permitted
to qualify and enter upon the duties of
the position.
There is no excuse or defence for such
outrages, and the sooner the power and
authority of the government are felt
and acknowledged the better for the
entire South and the country.
1892
1t is evident that Mr. Cleveland is
looking to the Democratic convention
of 1892, and that he is chalking out his
lines to pose as a great refOrmer in the
next Presidential election. His recent
! views as expressed in the Baltimore San
on ballot reform, tariff reform, &C., indi-
cate that reform with big will be
the shibboleth and Cleveland the candi-
date of the Democratic party in 1899.
The Republicans have been too busy
in fighting for a position in Congress to
give attention to matters two years off.
A few of the schemers have been laying
wires with reference to Southern delega-
tions, but that will not amount to much.
The people will have more than usual
to say in the selection of the delegates
to the next Republican National con-
vention. In the South, especially in
those States where there is a large white
Republican vote, there is not going to
be much room for the machine" When
it appears in an offensive form In will be
smashed The intelligent colored voter
is as fully determined on this as is the
respecting white voter. Bossism
will not be tolerated. Packed delega-
lions will not be allowed. The will of
the people will be expressed in the dele
gates selected, and the convention reflect
the higher motives of the party in the
candidates that will be chosen.
The fact is, there is going to be great
deal of independent thinking among
Republicans within the next two years.
The plane of politics is to be leveled up
and not down, and better tone given
to methods and ways than the bosses
think for.