Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1905-08-02
'EXTRAkEOUS INFLUENCES. "

The Petersburg Index-Appeal.
in Notes of the Senatorial eau
Gus, in its issue of December 10.
1898, said:
The Norfolk Nirginian speaks
out bluntly and candidly and al
lcgeS editoriallY that there were
instances of direct violation of the
instructions of a constituency. as
in the case of Senator Stubs. and
1t Is asserted that there were cases
of absolute and unaccountable
treachery. Senator Stubs can set
tie this matter with his own con-
science and incidentally with the
democrats of his district. If he Is
not altogether above makingan ex-
PLANTATION. But treachery can never
be satisfactorily explained away.
Had the election of United
States senator been left to the peo-
pie, says the Roanoke World.
General Fitzhugh Lee. the most
popular of all Nirginians. would
have won easily" Quite true: and
we may add that his defeat in the
caucus will go q long way towards
arousing sentiment in favor of the
election of senator's by the people
hereafter All that IS needed is
vigorous and practical agitation.
The majority of the democratic vo-
ters In this state were deeply inter
ested In General Lee 5 success. and
we believe that in the future they
Will welcome n plan whereby their
wishes may be executed.
The Dispatch remarks. with its
usual reserve, that 1T would seem
that 4 powerful extraneous infiu-
ence was brought to bear in favor
OF Mr.. Martins nomination. It's
this belief which causes murmers
OF discomfort, and along with them
criticism of members who by their
votes IN this matter have disap-
pointed their constituents" We
may be pardoned for dropping into
the vernacular and suggesting that
eXtraneOus influences" are play:
ING the mischief with the prospects
of the democratic party in Virginia.
The people don't seem to be in it"
when these mysterious extraneous
elements are arrayed against them.
The Washington Post sagely de-
clares that 1T is creditable to the
people of Virginia that they are
thus cutting loose from the an
Gent idea that the best rule is that
of a regime or dynasty, and that
names are magic spells to which
the popular will should pay obedi-
ence. a new deal in politics now
and then is good thing for state.
1t contributes to the strength and
independence of public opinion.
1t brings the people into better re-
latlons with themselves and to a
realizing sense of their own merits
and responsibilities" The Post
utterly misapprehends the situation
IN Virginia so far as the senatorial
tight was concerned. The caucus
failed to carry out the wishes of the
people, and that kind of "a new
deal in politics" is calculated TO
do harm to the democracy, however
gratifying it may be to those who
have an unreasonable dislike of an
honored name. The independence
ot public opinion which manifests
itself IN ruthless disregard of the
of the majority will not
contribute to the development of
the Virginia democracy.
The Index-Appeal now supports
MIR. Martin with might and main. +:
OF course we don't imagine it is
but we wonder if those ,
'eXtraneous influences" could DOS .
lbly have got in their fine work
IN the IndeX-Appeall
ExtraneOus influences" are ter
lble things, we imagine. Look |
What they did to Fltz Lee. I