The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-07-03
What are we to Do!

The Chronicle, after showing there IS
no excuse for the policy of the Racial
party, says:
There is absolutely no sentiment ofjus-
tice left at all where the whites Of the
South are concerned; the forms Of fair
dealing are not even observed. AS wit
ness the giving over the South to the con-
troll Of the negroes, when a Northern COM
munity will not tolerate even handful
of the same race as witness the obstacles
thrown in the way of regist ration in Rich
mond for the purpose Of intimidating the
whites; as witness the remarkable excite
ment about July session Of Congress In
order to amend again, or begin anew, the
scheme of reconstruction in the South
at moment when we were quietly and
laboriously carrying out in good faith the
harshest conditions ever imposed on de-
cent people. Add the cry of con6sca-
ton, and the MISUNDERSTOOD purpose that
if any Southern State complies with the
terms Of the Reconstruction bill, that com
pliance will not be availing, unless the
blacks of the South are at the same mo-
ment given the control of State affairs.
We do not mention these things to
make any fresh complaints Of them. We
comprehend the situation. We know that
the Republican Party have determined to
break down all opposition at the South
and to make it contribute to the strength
Of the Republican Party.
From this conviction there is practi-
cal thing which the South might do that
would improve its treatment. One cause
Of the violent course Of the Republicans
towards the South is the constant irritaa..
ton kept up at the North by the Demo-
cratic party. The Northern Democratic.
press, for the campaigning purposes, keeps
up perpetual hot fire against the Re
publicans- advises the South to resist
negro suffrage and the Reconstruction bill,
calls on us to become martyrs, &c. &c. &c.
President johnson gives countenance to
this party, and by some i'll advised inter
ference, from time to time, stirs up from
his wakeful maps the Radical monster
There isin short a regular war Of bitter
words going Oh all the time between the
two Northern parties, and the Southern
whites are identified in the Northern mind
with the Northern Democracy, who pre-
tend to champion our cause. What is
the consequence? The lash falls inces-
sanity, and at intervals the screw is given
another turn. The idea is we must keep
these Southern Democrats we'll under the
foot, or they will rally and cooperate with
their Northern allies That is the train
of thought.
We therefore do repeat what we have
already frequently called attention to
that the first step, for the Southern peo
pie to take, is to disclaim all connection
with the Northern Democracy. We have
not one particle more respect for the
Nortern Democracy than we have for the
Republicans. They got us into our troub
les, and basely abandoned us. And they
are doing us infinite injury now by OBJ
structing the settlement Of reconstruction.
They use us merely as so much political
capital, and are no true friends. But
whether friend Or foe, they have no pow
re-and are perpetual nuisance.
We have got to make terms with the
Republican party-they are the Govern
ment and will be for a good many years.
Now let us, in public meetings, lay it
down that we do not Intend to act with
the Northern Democracy.
We shall now make our position clear
by adding that we Individually are not
going to the Republicans. A great many
people are great many respectable peo
pie who act chiefly from considerations Of
policy arc aee are not. If the Republi-
cans will treat US properly, we will, in the
Federal elections, vote for the best man
they put up but we shall not join the
pa-.J".
Policy suggests that the Southern pco-
pie 60 over to the Republican Party in a
body-that all of us call ourselves Repub-
licans. But We do not see how any con-
scientious man can describe himself by
name which is not true; we do not see how
any Southern man can put on the livery
of the Republican party without losing
his selfrespect.
But the thing is going to be done by a
great many; people do not reason nicely;
oaths, names, emblems are barriers of straw
where powerful inducemcnt draws
man on to break through them Char
loHesyiWe Chronicle