The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-02-18
HONEST GOVERNMENT.
THE Duty or TIRGINfINS ~ ~
SECURE F.ITR ILECflONS'
Honorable Men Cannot Afford 20 sanction
Ersud-Dcmocracy Means
People Rule.

Editor Of Tho Times: . ,ho
SRI have read with pleasure lii'
sneerh OF Hon. Chas. Il. O'feiiall NJ INV
banquet given 10 the mempeIa ~
General Assembly OF Virginia, az the
jefferson Hotel by the citi@ens OF yO"i
city, and more than proud VIII an ~
Vlreinians feel at the noble sentinen'o
so f0rcebly presented, on that ocea9'o'
by the head of the Executive piH"1'
our State government. more lHan ~"
was the effort OF our Governor on that
occasion, and in responding 20 ti. -,
Governmental ls not by mechanism D''
bv religion. not 10y self interest Dut ny
loyalty. that men are governors, or are
gOyerncrablu"-Our distinguished GoNti"Vi
has put himself on record, ana the posi-
tion he assumes in this speech pia,ca
him unwitungly I'm the front rank IN lac'
makes him the leader OF all political par
ties In the fight now being Waseu III
Virginia Tor absolutely fair and honest
elections
In that speech he states that govern
ment is tie body polite, governed ny
authority and by the word authority as
here used. is meant rightiul. lawful au-
thority. That rghtfIl and lawful au-
thority can De gotten only from our
State Constitution. which of course must
DE I'm accord with the Constitution OF OFT
Nation. Now. who constitutes tAis au-
th0rity in Virginia 81 10 is not tho voters
OF this Commonwealth. or who conati-
tutcs this authority in the United states,
If it is not the voters OF inc several
States.
is not our political and personal free
dom based upon our Constitution Us not
government. as defined by the word De
mocracy, a peoples rule and not govern
ment of mechanism? As he $50 cioquently
said, Is not government am institution for
The preventing and depressing OF injuries,
which associated individ las have 10 fear
from one another? Most surely no one
viii attempt 60 deny thls. and a better
definition would DE hard 20 nnl. yet I'M
Virginia, under our present election laws,
We ma am opportunity offered, and ln
many cases taken advantage OF, for as
ISOLATED individuals. composing what is
generally termed political rings sailing
under The assumed name OF Democrats.
not for preventing and repre sing injuries.
but for perpetuatlng themselves in power,
ana on account O. thcig greed for polite
cal spoils. in shape of public Office disrc-
gardins that great scriptlral law, which
most cmphaucaiiy states that. "rhOu
shalt not steal" thereby "corrupung
morals and in every way ignoring the
principles Of "true religion" To make
an exhaustive argument ON this line of
the principles so uobly upheld and so
eloquently expressed in this great speech
OF our Governor. would occupy more
space than / would presume 10 ask at
your hands, but as one who firmly be-
heFes lh government founded ON pfin-
cipies or Justice, OF honor and of right
All three OF which are important factors
in all religious institutions throughout
the world; an three OF which are revcr-
enced by large majority ol Nirginias
people an hberty-lOyins and patriotic sons
OF this OLD Commonwealth an WHO are
loyal 10 her every interest-sh0uh from
now, henceforth and forever. by virtue
OF TINS great force OF morality reco-
einzed throughout the world as the right
arm OF religion, its greatest prOpcling
force as alluded 10 in Gov O'Ferrllls
speech, hesitate no longer. but of what
ever political party member should enc
list their influence and their AN 600
determined effort 10 blot out forever from
the statute books of our dear old State
any act OF the Legislature heretofore pass
cd, or which shall he passed in the future,
which is tainted even with the slightest
semblance OF injustice or dishonesty or
allows The same to Doe pcrpetratcd upon
another
The tight The Times has so nolly lod
against dishonest elections and gambling
in Virginia, has taken root I'm tle minds
ol an thinking Christian men, ana the
seeds Ol moral and Christian influence
which you have so fcaressly soWn
throughout this Commonwealth. will DO
doubt, i'm the near future. spring up with
Increased vig0r and with "A Insurance
so characteristic Of their kind win COM
urue 10 grow in granduer and when the
time of harvest arrives VIII produce an
N.HH "H
makers now in session a Aireiuia's capi-
tai, should. with as much pleasure as they
have already heard. read the soul-iusplr-
ing sentiments of Nirginia's Governor. 4
deep study of the noble and patriotic SEM
timents. $50 beautifully expressed. should
not fail 90 awaken deeper sense of
honor. The minds of ALL of whatever
party member should Dee set 90 think
Ing
The Walton Law should De the first
legislation, % which our representatives
should give their attention. and I'm it's
stead their should Dee placed upon 0ur
staute-books am election law which
would favor no association OK indivi-
duals' 10 political party, but on Jos snr-
lace, ana throughout its entire structure
should De woven and interviewer with
principles which viii deal out justice 90
an parties, embue every man with princi-
pies OF honesty. teach 20 every man true
morality Then. and not until such a law
is enacted will the government and laws
OF Virginia Doe administered according Go
the principles so forcibly laid down I'm
tAat great speech. From il an can derive
bereht Those who are now STRUGGLING 10
nave these noble sentiments prouagatod
need have no fear Of the result 10 be OBJ
tanned by their labors while those whose
only Idea Is a propagating OF self in office
by the vicious. immoral, low. mean. ana
degrading methods OF unfair elections.
VIII soon be brought 10 the FUN realiza-
ton of the fact that their sins have
found them out.
a total disregard for these great princi-
pies viii sooner on later give complete
sanction TO immoral methods A son
VIII think IL nothing amis8 TO follow, i'm
the footsteps OF his father. and instead
OF mat son rising in the world. gaining q
place IN the hearts OF his people. oecupv-
ing nigh positions Of profit and of trust
more than apt Is he TO bring the prav
mars Of his parents 20 shame and dis
honor, by his occupying a folon's cen.
fhthers and mothers sons and daugh-
ters or ola Virginia, the inspiring words
have been uttered; now Is the time 40
enlist your services. your yea! and vour
all, IN this great moral force Of RELIGIOUS
sentiment as applied 20 our government.
and see to IL that this force g. duly exer-
clsed in the enactment OF every law for
the government of the people Of Virginia
JNO. r. DOLEs
Iyor, Va, Feb. 18th. 1856