Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1909-10-22
Friday. Oct. %. 1909.
A DREAM DISTURBER.

the DemOcraLlc OrSdHlLdIlOH VI G1CoS
parts has lain painting for breath. That
effort was more than weak constltu-
ton could stand without danger, the
strain was very great mentally and
physically, certainly greater than it
ought to be subjected to, without a
stimulant. 1t seems, therefore, to have
busted itself more since that memora-
BILE occasion in supplying the proper
and needed nerve bracing fluid, the
requisite stimulant, than to supplying
oratory. Gov. Swanson has been heard
in Harrisonburg; Senator Martin has
been billed for various points; Judge
Mann has been LABORING as usual in
many portions of the moral vineyard;
Hon. III. d. Flood has been looking
after his home constituents about the
famous Apple Tree, and other lights OF
greater or less m magnitude have fitted
here and there through the political
swamps of the Old Dominion. None
have worn confident smile. They all
'see victory" but not the victory they
are longing for. They know that in
some parts there will be cutting down
and falling off of that ''rousing"
Democratic majority which has so
gladdened the heart on former occa-
sions. Never since the days when
VIM. Malone led his phalanx against
~ cr,H Caaffnrn6 it
have they felt such qualms as now.
Not that they are going again to be
endorsed as then, not that they are
going to fly before victorious army
They are not They have the sinews
of war too well in hand, they have the
details too well within their grasp, the
Organization is indeed an Organiza-
ton, but their fear cometh because
their leader hath blots ON his escutch
con, and their army is mob. They
know that he has behind him merce-
naries in part, fighting for promised
reward, fighting for none of the great
principles which really bind men to
party, but for an imaginry MORAL
principle for which in their fanatacism
they would desert him as quickly or
more quickly than they came. The
organization knows how easily stam-
peded this militia is. 1t knows that
Notwithstanding the chosen leader has
attended all the important meetings of
these mercenary troops, has become a
vice president of their organization,
has been riding a hypocritical horse
for years for political advancement,
has engrafted upon the statues of the
State under that influence what he
supposes is considered the wisest of all
laws, that these allies of Democracy,
this Anti-Saloon League is every mo-
ment pressing him with new demands,
and threatening desertion unless they
are granted. This leader has given so
cal option" now they demand estate
wide" if they succeed in getting state
widen they will be as dIctatorial and
uncompromising as before, if indeed
not more so, inflated as they would be
by this victory.
Such is the predicament of the par
ty. There are many old staunch DEM
ocrats who will not mix with these
new found friends of Democracy, they
believe neither in their doctrines nor
their sincerity. These are driven out
by those who have their hand on the
throat of the organization. They know
that when occasion demands the new
found friends will either control or de-
sert. These are the things which now
agitate the organization and they are
things of no light moment. A lessened
majority will be keenly felt because it
may be handwriting on the wall, it
will be trading friends of life time
for those who have Joined hands with
them only to compass an end. When
that end has been comprised, then
these allies will desert as rats sinking
ship. All this they see, all this they
know, and knowing it, they are dis
turbed in their dreams.