Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-08-26
Result of the Lsca:.c pt,on Election.

The election on Saturday last, August END
Ga the question of '!License'' or mo License
resulted in favor Of License" by majority o
80 out of the total vote Of $780, In the electi OF
four years ago on the same issue License wa
carried by majority OF IS out OF the total vot'
OF ,l8l. The majority is now less than foul
years ago. and the vote cast was ls9 lore.
In the First Ward. of7lI votes cast. AT were
for License, and ga against 1t. making thu
majority for License in that Ward l43.
In the Second Ward, OF CD votes cast. 20
were for License. and 345 against II, making thu
majority against License in that Ward 81
which. substracted from 143. the majority fol
License in the First Ward. leaves the majority
for License so.
The above were the votes counted. In WARD
No. l. there were two more ballots. but were
thrown out as they we're voted double.
In Ward No. 2 one of the ballots was blank
and consequently counted for nothing.
Throughout the warm and interesting can
vass the result was considered doubtful py
both parties. and consequently both put forth
the greatest possible exertion. There were
some Of the earnest workers against license
who were very hopeful, not to say confid emit OF
success, and to these the result was great
surprise as well as modification. Feelin g
deeply the importance OF the issue, they cam
not fail TO feel great regret at the result, and
we sympathize with them, particI larly with
the mothers, wives. and sisters who felt SO
anxious and solicitous, and who worked and
prayed SO earnestly for different result.
Those who were defeated in this contest have
the consolation that they voted as their judy
ment dictated and their conscience approved.
and that they are free from all responsibility
fanny evils that may result from the verdict
at the polls. Whilst we hope that such Will
not be the case. we cannot avoid feeling the
fear that some who voted with the majority
will live to regret it-particularly those who
have sons. as they voted. not to withdraw, but
to keep the temptation before them.
Whilst we regret the result of this election,
we were not much surprised at 1t. for we had
declined to sign the petition for the election for
the reason that we did not believe public sem
timent was ripe for it-that there would be
useless expenditure Of time and money-that
great excitement and possibly ill-feeling would
be created-that we did not have as much cap.
ltal now as before, as the bar-keepers had been
put. by the previous contest, upon their good
the friends of temperance
would be defeated, and the cause of temper
ance be in worse condition than before. The
Ou cTiOdy ulSuIs uOWoNeTs gave
us some hope of success, and we then thought
1t probable and earnestly hoped that we had
been mistaken in our judgment of the matter.
Those who differed with us as to the propriety
Of petitioning for an election at that time. were
governed by the best motives and were more
hopeful OF a different result. They have work.
ed hard and prayed earnestly. and made a
wonderful campaign, and deserved to succeed.
It is not within the power of mortals TO COM
ndnd success, but they can do more-they can
leseTve 81.
Though we had no interest in the result ex-
,ept that of the good of others, and none other
han kind and friendly feelings for those who
Uttered with us. we earnestly desired the sue
1855 of the temperance cause. We did not al
ow ourself to become excited and we regret
hat some others on both sides did and we
nope that. II any ill-feelings have been engen-
Tered. they will be alIayed. Those who were
should be satisfied till they see
cause to regret their action; and those who
were defeated, have the consolation that they
san never have any reason to regret the vote
hey gave. whatever the results may be.
Though "evils dire" should result no respon.
'ibility for them can attack to the voters of
,he defeated party. No accuser can shake his
CORY locks" and point to either of them and
,ay-"thou dId'stit." They may lament them,
out will feel conscious that they are in nowise
for them. and that will be a great
as no one who voted in the
majority can have.