Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-07-21
PLAY FAIR

| TeA1 AIN
The letters read by Mr.. Jones and
published by him as evidence to show
that Mr.. Martin was the distributor OF
"yellow dog fund" do not appear to
be conclusive.
| We have not taken any part in this
fight and do not intend to become a
partizan in it, but we believe in fail
play. The names mentioned in that
correspondence are those of men OF
high character, who have been chosen
to fill important positions because OF
merit and not because of 'pull" of
any kind. When the name of Bever-
ley Munford is coupled with that fund,
we all know that it precludes any cor
ruption or dishonesty in the same con-
nection. Mr.. J. S. B. Thompson was
railroad man, but before that, he
was under the greatest Democratic
leader IN the State since the war,
John S. Barbour, who redeemed the
State from ''black and tan" DONNA
ton. Trained by the man who re-
established white supremacy in Viz
ginia, we do not think that the name
sake of Barbour can be very wicked
man nor one who imperils that SUI
premacy.
We wonder if Mr.. Jones does not re-
member the circumstances attending
the ccntri buttons that were solicited
not merely from the railroads, but
from every white mans enterprise in
this State? Does he not remem Der
that at the time to which he refers,
practically every white man in the
State contributed to save it from negro
rule, and that all of these contribu-
tions were thrown into common
fund fro n which it is possible that
Mr.. Jones drew help if he were a
Democratic candidate for any office at
the time?
The gentlemen who have taken the
stump on their own behalf for the
Senatorial nominations, seem to forget
the fact that they are seeking honors
and preferment at the hands OF the
Democratic party and that all the
gentlemen whom they accuse of such
heinous ofenses are also members of
that party. If Messrs. Jones and
Glass should be defeated in this cam
paign, and there should be any, oppo-
sitlon to the Democratic nominees,
they will have to support the .nomi-
nees whom they have SO bitterly de-
nounced or be guilty of selfish sulking
We do not advocate any of the can
didates in opposition to any others of
the four. We regard them all as
Democrats and as we desire Demo-
cratic rule in the State we desire two
Democratic Senators to represent the
State. We do not think Messrs
Glass and Jones overstepped their
rights in any regard in entering this
fight, but we do thoroughly regret
that in this campaign they have seen
fit to introduce as charges against MI
Martin things that at the time they
were done were regarded as regrettabIe
but necessary acts to preserve the
party rule, and Mr. Martin then re-
ceived nothing but praise for his share
them.
Let us remind all of these gentle.
men that they are Democrats running
against Democrats. Southern De-
mocracy has enemies enough, and
there are plenty of South haters who
will grasp eagerly at such charges as
furnishing ample grounds for ''force
bills" and for Federal interference in
Southern politics. Any charges of
unfairness, bribery or crookedness gen.
orally, will be held up by enemies of
the South as samples of Democratic
rule in the South and the results may
be disastrous. The Democratic party
has given Virginia very fair governs
ment, much freer from scandals than
that of many other states. When a
man announces himself candidate
for office, his record becomes proper
subject for investigation and criticism,
but we believe that such criticism and
contests between Democrats should
above all be fair. To publish a cor
ITespondence pertaining TO events OF
twenty years ago and not to explain
the circumstances is eminently unfair,
however, especially when most Of the
conditions of the time have beer for
gotten and most of tne participants in
! the acts, are dead.