The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-11-30
Hamilton affirmed that the Constitution Was


dome protecting the States, and the Federal
Government base supporting the State Gov
ernments Madison was equally as sure that
the States were pillars unfolding the Consti-
tuition, and that the State Governments
breathed vitality and efficiency into the Fed
eral structure. There would be some little
perplexity, it seems to US, as to which Of the
two we would follow, in architectural arrange
ment-a perplexity enhanced when these
different ideas of Constitutional limitations
had to be determined by the exposition Of
Marshall and fancy, who, on vital constitu-
tional questions, certainly did not always
agree We confess that we could overlook
this slight difference as to style, inasmuch,
IL we would take the cardinal idea Of either
Of thes. grsat statesmen and jurists we would
improve on the present condition of things.
But when we are invited to submit to the in
t.. ~nretation Of Carl Schurz, the very Cory
pheus Of nl,.sek Republicanism, and Trum-
bull who nursed he Radical party of lii
nois from its cradle to its fu... stature, and
Brown and Evarts, as master-workmen, IN
this labor degeneration, we are startled at
the innocence of this political protector, and
appalled, at his credulity. It would be about
as sensible in the people of France to nomi
nate Frederick William to lead them to bat
tie for the restoration of Strasburg, as to ex-
pect these men to set together in one harmo-
NOUS whole that Constitution which for years
they SO ruthlessly assailed and SO wantonly
broke to pieces. The Roman Catholic church,
when engaged in proselyteism, never selected
Calyinist as its missionary, but Priest Of
its own faith. impressed with belief in tran
substantiation and the real presence and the
efficiency of Confessional Nor would John
Calvin, in unfolding the rigid logical tenents
of protestanism, have chosen such a man as
Francis Xavier to disseminate his doctrines.
The astuteness Of the consonant 49," over
reaches the sagacity Of the Catholic and the
perception of the shrewd German, and would
establish faith and creed by instrument
ta'ities just employed in their destruction.
We can readily discern the defects of the
scheme suggested by the '-rctired Statesman"
who is growing weary of the dust and cob
webs of his studio. They are too patent and
transparent to be overlooked-yet we canont
just now, offer substitute, adequate and per-
feet, for the dangers that environ US. We
think, however, that we could improve upon
the incubation Of Mr.. Stuart-for this dis
tinguished Ststesman-the only simon-pure
national Statesman Staunton ever had, and
we proudly record the fact, is the modest and
unpretending 49," after ALIVE could i'm
prove on his scheme, we believe-per exam
plea joint-stock company, Incorporated by a
Circuit Judge for purposes of political pre-
terment and emolument, capital stock ia
trade, Of in the way Of Offices, hon
ors, cts, in expectancy-chief Office Of the
Company, Staunton, Virginia President Of
the Company-wel-ca it-one of the
"Committee of Nine"
This might work, for it would assure con-
glomeration of kindred spirits, with no polit-
ical ideas clashing-no doubtfulness as to
their capacity to consummatc them-a band
of patrots-a brotherhood Of Statesmen.
IF this joint-stsck company wouldn't work,
and we don't believe it would, then the scheme
Of Constitutional Party" would certainly
prove failure. We are incredulous of its
working from antecedents and prccedents.-
We argue by the inauctiue process. What
has happened, under the same circumstances
heretofore, inevitably, will probably happen
again under like circumstances. From the
days Of Millard Fillmore, down to the period
when white servitude was effected, the en-.
deavor has been made, in good faith too, by
transcendental musings, to effect that which
can alone be secured by the mental energies
and active agencies of Free Men of the coun-
try actingin concert. Carpet Knights in court
dress are not the agencies py which our iber-
ties are to be malntsined and the oppressor's
grasp unloosed from our threats, but the men
at the pillow, at the anvil, the work BENCH in
the counting room, all concerning together for
the good Of the country, must accomplish the
work.
For ourself, we believe that the CHEF fight
is to be between the Republican party, riven
in twain-between the Ins and the Outs
the wing that is out that wants to get IN, and
the wing that is ln that prefers not to go out
| and chiefly for the spoils
| We say it truthful lily, and we say it with
sorrow, that there's not virtue enough, nor in
telligence enough left to uphold true conser-
vative ideas such as are demanded and main
tanned by Mr.. Stuart; but we have rot lost
all hope OF ultimate success. We must
achieve this, or resolve into anarchy, or be
coerced into an all absorbing, tyrannical cen
tralism. We cannot triumph by abandoning
our colors, and placing them into the hands
Of the opposition, but still united together by
the cohesive principle of patriotism, labor on
| in the dissemination of the truth Finally it