The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-07-02
A TRUCE

\ hNAI4.
While the battle for Governor is not
entirely over no one believes for a mo-
ment that Mr.. Montague will fail of
nomination at Norfolk on August
Nth. His great lead, together with
knowledge of how other delegates will
go when elected, has for some time
convinced all that his calling" was
sure-and his election with almost
as great a degree of certainty. Had
the fight of his opponents been con-
tinued he might not have gotten as
many as nine hundred delegates, but
now that they have practically laid
down hands many counties that were
for Others will hasten to get into the
band-wagon, and if his is not the only
name which will be presented at Nor
folk he will at any rate have a thous-
and or twelve hundred delegates.
The FREE LANCE has fought hon
estlv and as hard as it knew how to
defeat Mr.. Montague for the nominal
ton. Those who are acquainted with
the management of this paper are
aware of the warm friendship that
exists between it and Congressman
Swanson and the L. :. Senators from
Virginia. In addition to a personal
friendship we knew them to be men OF
the highest honor and worth. We
know also that the slurs and defama-
ton frequently east at one or more
of the trio were heralded by political
opponents and frequently echoed by
public who had no DIFFERENTIATION
for their information than the vague
charges of the aforesaid enemies.
They are the peers of any men in the
State, and Virginians are untrue to
themselves in matchmaking abroad
the highest representatives OF their
State. Knowing of certainty these
things THE FREE LANCE has done its
best to support the gentlemen named.
We lost. Our fight was a cOnscien-
tious one, and from principle and
friendship, so we can with good heart,
then, accept defeat, and with the
people of the State live through the
times to come. We think the people
have made great mistake. Possibly
we may yet be proven mistaken in
this opinion. Believing we were right
we fought from the shoulder; we have
nothing to retract; our course would
be the same were it to be fought over
again. As it is we have no further
fighting to do on this line.
1t has been withal q hot and not
altogether clean campaign. There
were many shady doings which were
not brought to the public gaze. Pos
sibly this is best, though it was not
altogether fair that the Vaccinations
Of one side should be displayed and
those of the other hidden. This re-
minds us that the press of the State
has been as potent a factor in Mr..
MOntague's success as any other
cause-with all due credit to the ma
chine, school appointments and the
use of money. Usually the press is
right, and it may be in this instance,
but there were strong papers which
had pique as an incentive. The cam
paign was very unfairly represented.
While THE FREE LANCE admits there
has been much unkind said on both
sides it calls to witness its files OF
months ago in which it besOught
contemporaries not to deal in sling
ing mud. Eventually all were swept
into the maelstrom, even Mr.. MOnta-
que going to the lead while the can
vass was young.
Theindications are that the Repub-
leans will not putup clean man, in
which event the Norfolk nominee will
have walk-over. Should the Repub-
lieans select their best and cleanest
they would give Mr.. Montague a rub,
but hardly a sufficient one to defeat
him. The Norfolk ticket will win,
largely because the friends OF those
who have opposed Mr.. Montague are
Democrats who know no baking.
They will be found in the van OF the
fight, we venture to predict.
At the same time we are exceedingly
anxious to see Others put upon tine
ticket who viii command the respect
OF all and heal whatever wounds there
may be. Such clean men as LeCato
and Jeffries could not fail to make
enthusiasm run high. Each of these
gentlemen has fought alone, and
solely upon merit. There may be
Others equally as available" that
are in the race, but We can't just now
put our fingers upon their names.
Jeffries is from the Eighth and IeCato
from the First-two Districts that
are closely allied to fredericksburg,
and consequently The FREE LANCE
NAV be excused in having a senti-
mental pride in their candidates..
MANY of the West Virginia coal