The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1870-12-08
POLITICAL.

ltence upon one ldcad view OF great pO-
litcal and social question--haviny accom-
plished the original purpose Of its creation,
and the cause of Its formation and the mo-
tive power of its vitality destroyed, there
would seem to be no further occasion for the
cohesion Of the elements which compose it.
But the infatuation of power-thc charm Of
unchallepged control and distribution of vast
late parties to cxertion for the supremacy Of
their organization. Indeed, We but express
our honest conviction when we say that with
parties, as such, whether in power or battling
to gain power, the mastery and manipulation
Of the Treasury and the Offices Of the gov
eminent, are the secret sources of cohesion,
and the prorelling agent of action. Of
course, with view to capturing and securing
the popular vote, theories Of government are
maintained and political tancts advocated,
which harmonic with the natural bearings Of
the popular Wind; for the elementary and
normal idea of the people is for liberal and
economical administration of government
as nearly democratic as is consistent with
stability and durability. This idea, however,
as general proposition, is entertained in
musty, foggy state. The popular mind does
not elaborate and digest, nor reduce it down
| to point of demonstration and, therefore, it
is not prepared at all times to embrace tho
means to attain the end 1t was in one of
those periods of popular clamor and dema-
gogical appeal for Ebcralizing government
without reference to parallel progress Of
intelligence and education, that John Ran
dolph declared "every change is not reform"
And while no reform can be effected without
change-no revolution in parties or the ad
ministration Of government eau be accom-
plished, without party condemning its own
action or the people condemnlng party-it
does not follow that the party proposing the
reform is any purer in the motive that stimu-
lates it than the organization which commit
ted the alleged wrong. The intellectual con-
viction may be clear as to the necessity, for
the good of the people: for the practical en-
forcement of certain ideas of government,
but the corrupt and debased motive of party
unity and supremacy, with view to public
spoils and public plumber, may obey the die
tation of that conviction. 1t is only when
abused power-powcr devoted to self-aggran
disement and party supremacy, is threaten
cd to be wrecked by the mandate of an in
dignant popular voice from the party thus
misdirectng it, that the shift is made from &
transparent and unblushing policy and prac
, tice of corruption and fraud to seeming
enhancement of theory long before lodged
in the mind, as in consonance with the truth
full idea Of our system of government. 1t is
spurious virtue, enforced by an inexorable
necessity.
1t is in this light we regard the recent
movement Of prominent members of the Re
publican party, lead by the Chicago Tribune
to either tongue and groove into the Republi
can platform the doctrine of civil reform and
retrenchment-a revolution in the revenue
system of the government, and vast abate
ment in the financial outgoings, and a conse'
quent tightening of the burdens Of taxation
or to create new party based upon this idea
We cannot see the necessity of this latter
alternative, nor do We acknowledge the legiti
macy or disnterestedness of the former sug.
gestion. These reforms are part and parcel
of the fundamental creed of the Democratic
party. The idea is co cxistant with the birth
of that party; and if its practical operation
is deemed essential to the welfare of the coun.
try, it must be hollow and insincere declara
ton of principle, if those who declare it are
not willing to unite with the party which, from
its organization, has made the proposition now
ostentatiously paraded as something new, one
of its cardinal dogmas. There is nothing
particularly significant in name ITSELF unless
that name is so associated With ideas and prin
ciples as to almost become part of them. Il
is false pride-a doubtful patriotism, thai
will lot leave an inane monosylable to GRASP
a great public good, or that will permit par
ty nomenclature to control an intellectual con
viction affecting a vital principle of govern
ment.
l Vast numbers of the most prominent and
intellectual members of the Democratic party
cut loose from that organization and united
with the Republican party, because of thei'
relative positions on the question Of slavery
They thought the time had come for thai
question to be settlcd-that the irrepressi.
BILE conflict was upon us-and that that bone
of contention ought to be disposed of. We
all know the result. Of this number are
Gratz Brown and Frank Blair of Missouri
John A. Logan of Illinois, and others equal.
ly prominent in the recent political conflicts
of the country. They were Democratic
upon all the dugmas of administrative policy,
save this one That being disposed of, they
are Democratic still, and will unite with the
Democratic party in the restoration Of the
Government to a healthy and legitimate basis