The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-08-18


politicians. A moments reflection pre-
sents the idea that his work has furnished
the ethics of the Conservative party in this
State. Their lash has been SANDER. their
aims, to make Republicans obnoxious.
Their arguments, all based on prejudice
and barbed with malice and vitupera-
ton have been aimed at yankees"
'carpet-baggers," and "scalawags,'' until
base and wicked public opinion
has been formed in certain localities.
by which means the Republican party,
from time to time, has been defeated.
Not because of its principles, but simply
by reason of the bad name given it by the
Conservative journals and politicians.
Their object has been to keep the principles
OF our party in the fog of sandcr, and un-
seen. The stock in trade of the small and
semi-small Democratic organs is, and has
been, abuse, and not arguments solemnly
addressed to the. intelligence of the people.
The ''hue and cry" of mad dog" has
been raised upon the heels of every man
who dared to be of the Republican party.
Not that our course was bad, but simply
to give bad name in order that tie people
should not catch a glimpse of his doctrines,
but aid in the hunt, to join the TRADE, be-
cause of the simple announcement that he
was of dangerous class. By the cry of
"carpet-bagger," &c., the people of Virginia
have been enthused into opposition to Re-
publicanism and Republicans. A public
opinion has been formed that is as unjust
as the means used to create, are unholy
and wicked.
There is nothing more dangerous to lib
erty and the rights of the citizens than a
false and wicked public prejudice against
class or party. The good of both is sunk
in the personal strife, and the interests of
all are forgotten, and every opportunity for
material and solid advancement of the real
interests of the State are lost sight of amid
the smoke and turmoil of party hate. In
all ages of the world false and fraudulent
public opinion has been as powerful to
mould and WELD the people with, as true
and healthy one, based on endu-
ing, just, national and equitable prin--
ciples, but in the end, without excep-
ton, the result has ever been that the real,
the material, interests have gone to ruin.
and the people left to mourn over a wasted
opportunity to become as great and power
full as their neighbors. Virginia is in this
attitude; the dominant party, forgetful of
all, save power, do not hesitate to weigh an
Choir or cut loose from all avowed princi-
pies, whenever necessary, to gain tempo
rary victory, even though it sacrifice the
best interests of the State. Negroes, they
declare, are unfit for suffrage, and their
rights, broad and full as the white race. Sc
cured by the constitution IAN instrument
whose life was breathed into it by Conserva-
tive votcs), are set at defiance, they are not
permitted to sit as jurors in the metropolitan
city of the State, their voting power is rem
dered nullity, and their voice is stifed by
those who guaranteed it to them in the con-
stitution.
The negroes were induced, in large num-
bers, to vote the Conservative Walker
ticket, on the ground that the Conservative
party acquiesced in the guarantees of the
instrument then being submitted to the
people.
The conservatives seem now to have
abandoned every mooring, and cast them.
selves adrifs, seeking any piratical alliance
they chance to hail on the voyage, regard
less of right or justice, and find comfort
only in that which will win temporary VIC
tory, even though it be an alliance with the
negro, if by that means the government may
be injured, and its friends discomfitted-
for instance, the suggestion of the Rich
mond Wing of August 18th, 1871, in
which the leading article is devoted to the
proposition that the South unite and form
a party without national alliances and that
the negro be invited to join 1.-THE object
being to control payment of the slave
value of 1861 by the general government,
and then divide with the negro the spoils of
the transaction. Had there been no Walker
campaign, the colored people might be
caught in this golden trap, but these
people have had trade with the Anoor-
sonciHe heroes and find they cheat; they
have not kept faith in the matter of the
pledge.
They are not to be fooled again. We in
stance this only to show that the so-called
party is one without princi-
pie, a fraud and cheat, and we desire to
the Republicans of the country
BY showing them the true condition Of the
opposition to Republicanism in the State
Ind to call their attention to the teachings
IF history which show that the public
opinion which is based only upon the tenn
'orary success of vituperation cannot long
xist, but like all unnatural growths, it is
ut off by the slow, but certain, natural
process of sloughing and repair. a
So with this fungus party, this mere
Wind storm. There is nothing in it that
ommends it to men of principle. 1t is
and one or two more broad
ides from the guns of the good Republican
ship of the line" will strand this ''Shen-
ndoah', in new shape. :