Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-10-14
Something Expected Of the Farmers.

Something Expected Of the Farmers.
The election is creeping on and only
about three weeks remain before we
know who will be our next Gov, Lieut..
Gov. and Atty. General. But it may
be said that these are certain of cleo
tion under the existing conditions, and
1t is now too late to change them. This
may DO true, and we fully agree with
the sentiment, but what can be said OF
our members of the Senate and lower
House? The same conditions do not
exist there. The Republicans have
their strongest men, and
the ticket is the best they have named
for years. There are many elements
Of strength about it when we look at
the individuals who compose it, and
did they but represent better princi-
Piles, and more worthy constituency
they would command great strength.
But no matter how good these men
may be as men, neither their honesty
in business, their genial natures, nor
their standing in their communities
ought to weigh against equally as good
men of purer and better politics. and
with thinking persons will not weigh.
But whilst we know that the Demo-
cratic ticket is composed of men as
heightened and as we'll fitted for their
respective positions as can be found,
still we do not disdain our enemy. We
would therefore call the attention OF
all Democrats to the fact that for the
Legislature the question goes further
than the man. There are principles
which every party must have to exist,
and policies which they must pursue
to gain the respect and confidence OF
the people. In the election therefore
of members of the Legislature we must
look to these, and not be Influenced to
vote for this man or that simply be-
cause we find no objection to his per-
sonal character. In this State there
Is band of politicians in control OF
the administration faction Of the Re-
publican party who would wreck any
government under the sun, they would
break down every institution or law
dear to the people of Virginia If they
had the power. In many of the offices
they now control they are preferring
negroes to white men, they are seek
ing to tear down the white party OF
Virginia, and will do, and are doing all
they can to undermine and destroy
the principles of purity and good gov.
eminent which we have SO long enjoy
ed under Democratic control. Should
the Republican nominees in this coun
ty be elected and the Legislature be
dominated by Republicans, they will
vote on every odious measure propos
ed, they will follow the lead of Brady
and Allan, the renegade Yankees, who
have kept their hands in the public
crib so long by being smart enough tt
come to Virginia, and unscrupulou
enough to do most any thing to ge
office. They will vote with their party
for Brady or Yankee Allan for the q
s. Senate if they have the chance ant
these worthless have not been called b,
Providence to another realm. The.
will support all laws for putting tn
1 negro and untrustworthy white mai
who fiocks with them in power when
ever and wherever they have tn
chance. and seeing what evil such
thing forebodes, and the injury an
probable bloodshed it might cause
there should be no staying at hom
much less voting for men on persona
, grounds il this election. Every Dem
ocrat should remember his duty, an
give himself opportunity to be at tn
polls and stay there until the las
Democratic vote is cast. We max
, this statement because men are to
apt to become careless when the
think their ticket will win. For tn
: first time, it is said, in forty years ha
farmer been nominated for COVER
nor. 1t is therefore the duty and W
hope the desire of the farmers to Sc
that their candidate carries the Stat
by the largest majority had in recen
years. This will demonstrate the wis
dom of their choice, and show too tina
the farmers are power in the State
But after nominating their candidate
how foolish to forget that they hav
another duty to perform and that is t
elect him. Then let our farmer friend
be early at the polls, and not say
their candidate falls below in his vote
THAT Of other candidates, that the cite
went back on him. If the country wi
be as promptly at the polls as the cit
there need be no more fear Of the leg
islative than of the gubernatorial en'
of the ticket.