The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1866-10-17
The Situation.

We give this heading with no pleasant
feelings this week, not that we feel so very
badly over "the situation" but because we
know there are many Of our people; many
brave men and glorious women, who do.
And, in fact, "the situation" is not cheer
ing, nor does the future break upon us
with paths strewn with flowers, or of'pleas-
antness and peace"
The Radicals have carried, if not with
increased majority, any how with enough
for all practical purposes, the great States
of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Iowa.
Baltimore City is still under the iron heel
of radical misrule, and the shouts of tri-
umph, from the victors, over the friends Of
law and order, are the only sounds that
reach us from the North. General Geary,
Governor elect Of Pennsylvania, speaks in
no uncertain tones, when he congratulates
his supporters on the triumphs they have
gained; he boldly proclaims the President
"traitor," and stismatizes him as city
rant" compared with whom "Nero, whose
infamy is written in the immortal pages Of
Suetonius," is patriot and gentleman.
He proclaims policy for his party that
looks to the elevation of the negro to an
equality with the white man. The lesser
lights of the dominant party are jubilant,
vindictive and mean, and, like fee dogs,
make more noise than the sturdy ours Of
power.
The whole North seems to be in whirl
OF excitement, and foolish people there talk
Of war as thing not only to be expected'
but to be desired. They talk Of "impeach-
ing the President" for doing his duty
conscientiously, and men who carried them
successfully through the war, are glibly
called Orators" "perjured scoundrels,"
&c. Amid allthis storm of abuse; Of Wilt
fcation; of run mad folly, the President,
backed by the Conservative or Democrat
ic party North, stands true to bis princi-
plies, a giant among the pigmies.
That the President will continue tostand
firm, every indication leads us to believe
and, as foolish as we think the radicals, we
can not bring ourselves to believe they are
fools enough to try the game Of impeach-
ment. Men, in the struggle for political
power, especially in a Republican Govern
ment, say many things they never intend
to carry out or attempt. Braggarts and
towards, who never faced Confederate
line of battle, talk bravely of war and Of
subduing unarmed "rebels," but the war
proved one thing, viz: that no sOar can be
carried on in this Country ,0ithout draft
or conscription, and those who talk about
it would do ,oeN to count the cost.
It is consoling thought that those who
fought through the war, on both sides,
have had enough Of it, and that those who
''shirked" are not likely to get up a war
for their own amusement. In short, the
sum and substance of the result Of the late
election is that the radicals used every So
cial influence; excited every Northern pre-
judice; run Generals for office, lied on us,
Dragged, bullied and won. And now they
have secured the power, we believe they
will not be able to make our position any
worse, even if they wishto.
A Northern Radical argues this way
Hyou Southern people controlled this Re-
public for sixty years, you tried to break
it up, on principle, and we overcame you.
Now do you think we are going to give up
all this power or let you share it? Never,
as long as we can help it. We are not
particular about the means we use. We
don't care about the negro, only 50 far as
he is good party rallyiug cry and SO far
as we can use him, but Of one thing be
assured, We will use every means, good Or
bad, to hold the power" In private this
is about the argument of leading Radicals
and no matter how vindictive and mean
some may be, we do not think the leaders
are such consum mate fools as to allow that
party to be led further.
ssAnd what are we to do7" still comes
! up from the Southern people. Tho an
swer is simply, attend to your own bust
ness and uork. We can do nothing to
effect the results North; this radical par
| ty must run its course and nothing has
| dum-founded them so much as the utter
Indifference displayed by the Southern
people, as to what is going on North. To
| all amendments made to the Constitution
we must utter an emphatic "No" and all
| threats, OF bullying about war we must
laugh to scorn. If any fighting is to be
done, gentlemen, do it on s'your own line, .
we have had enough. In the words Of
the Cavalier Bayard of the South, the
gallant and gifted General Hampton, OF
South Carolina @The essential points,
then, in the policy we should pursue, are,
it appears to me, these: That we should
fulfil all the obligations we have entered
into, to the letter, keeping our faith SO
| clear that no shadow Of dishonor can fall
on us; that we should sustain Mr.. John
son cordially in his policy, giving our sup
port to that party which rallies around
him that we should yield full obedience