The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-08-29
Hard to Get Around.
Cape Charles Light

1t is evident that The FREE LANCE,
like ourselves, prides himself more on
principle and loyalty to his section than
he does in being a member OF the Band
Wagon" gang, and pours out his soul in
sentiments. which are strong, but yet too
true. and in their truth lays their strength.
We have no thought that the FREE
LAME man would either by word or
action. give encouragement to theenemy,
but feeling keenly the base ingratitude OF
those who combined with the enemy to
defeat one Of Virginia most loyal sons,
and a man who has done ~ much for
Tidewater as Senator leCato feels i'm
pelled by more than an ordinary sense Of
duty. to give expressions as to what is
in him. aud which those who are wont
to iawn and cTinge, and who are the
lickspittles of a man because he has few
dollars. are afraid to speak OF.
We have been charged with being a
foreigner, that is not born OF Nirginia; (;
the charge is true we were born in our
sister state Maryland, but we claim Vir-
ginia as our home, and SO identified with
the interests of the Eastern Shore have
we been for these many years, that we
blush for shame for those who call them
selves Yirginians and pride themselves
on honor handed down through their
ancestors. in thus selling themselves ont
soul and body fer mess of pottage and
which has yet to he delivered.
During the Senatorial canvass, when
Fitzhugh Lee and Thomas Martin locked
horns. we were in Richmond, and more
than once heard it said II love Fitzhugh
Lee. and the man does not live who
would dare to impugn his character or
name in my presence without being called
to account for it, but am against him
for Senator because am afraid the elec'
ton of Lee will mean that none except
he be Lee or the decendent ofsOme other
great family dare ever aspire to any OF
the high offices of the State"
When Mr. Willard with his barrel was
rushed upon the scene we made the pre-
diction, at is money now against the
poor man, and money will, in all proba-
bility, win"
We ask the Democrats OF the First dis
trict, what does the ticket just named
stand for, opportunity for you and me,
of the common people. and those who
may have merit, or are the Offices to be
put up to the higest bidder?
God save the State when such condi-
tions confront us and succeed.
The First district has always stood
nobly by the candidates for State offices,
and have more than once thrown them
selves into the breech and saved the day,
and it was but poor return for the ser
vices thus rendered that one of herfavor-
ed sons should receive such ignominious
treatment.
Weraged and swore about Mark Hanna
with his barrel coming into Virginia; we
condemned this in no uDmeasured terms,
but what will we say when one OF our
own citizens uses the same tactics to de
feat one of our own people? Senator Le-
Cato lives with us and is one OF us, while
Mr.. Willard, il report be true, has more
in keeping with the city of Washington
than he has of old Virginia.
We speak not with bitterness, but in
denunciation of a combination, which by
an unholy alliance, robbed the First dis
trict and especially the Eastern Shore OF
recognition which belonged to her.
There are those on the Eastern Shore
who may have ambition, but how in
linking their fortunes with the gang they
did. can ever hope to have those ambi-
tions gratifed is more than we can sell.