The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-08-24
PRESIDENTIAL CALCULATIONS.

cliLcd to indulge in too sangulne anticipa-
while not sufficiently indicative of the cur
rent Of popular Partially, certainly do not
discourage the belief that the Republican
party will hold its own in 1872. The result
in the Territory of Montana is decided
Republican gain, not only of delegate in
Congress, but on the popular vote. The
Democratic candidate, two years ago, was
elected by about 1000 majority. This year
the Republican candidate has been elected by
over 900 majority.
The result in North Carolina was not a test
Of party strength, many Democrats regard
ing the call for Convention to modify the
State Constitution, as premature, and ill.adz
vised at this time.
In Kentucky, there has been large in
create in both the Democratic and Radical
vote, While the Democratic majority is large,
1t is not greater than was expected.
There is no substantial ground, therefore,
up to this time, upon which to base the be-
lief. that the fall elections will witness re-
versal of the popular judgment which has uni
formly been given in favor of the Republican
party since the war. 1t is conceded, however,
that the elections in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
in October will show the comparative
strength of the TWO parties in the United
States: and Constitute reasonable criterion
by which to determine the probable result Of
the Presidential election in 1872
The necessity for united South in that
contest is SO apparent to every rejecting mind
that discussion Of that point is superfuous.
But the indications are that the elements of
disintregat o. in II Democratic ranks, so
boldly avowcd by the followers Of Alex II.
Stephens, Robt. Toombs, and ex-president
Davis, will strengthen in some of the South
ern States, and give the power in the hands
of tha+~ faction Of defeating the Democracy,
at least in Georgia ard Alabama It is use
less to attempt to ignore the fact that Che
press is powerful agent in controlling popr-
lar opinion. The Atlanta Sun and Mobile
Register are confesscdly two of the ablest
papers published in the South They have
both taken decided positions against the rec
ognized policy Of the Democratic party Of
the North and West, in adopting what is
known as the New Departure platform. thrown
ato shape by the Ohio Democracy. They
have influence sufficient in their respective
States to direct enough Of the people into a
frultless opposition to the inevitable purpose
OF the Democracy of the country to endorse
the Vallandigham Platform, to lose those
States to the Democratic candidates for Pres
ident and Vce-President.
While the whole scope of the arguments
of these two able journals is impractcable-
a re-opcning of issues settled by the logic of
war, and the VERDICT of the American people
yet we fear for the solidarity of the Demo-
cratic party in tho South when we contem-
pate the influence Of those powerful aid
widely circulated journals.
1t is very clear to our mind, if success is
the object of the campaign Of 1872 we must
accept the amendments to the Constitution,
without drawing distinction between them.
The 18th amendment which is acknowledged
by the extremists of the South to be binding.
stands In the same category as the 18th and
loth, and to our view, we cannot accept the
one, without logically accepting the others.
We acknowledge the act etfecting the free
dom Of the former slave, which certainly iu-
terfered with vested rights, aud violated prop
erty rights. That amendment was ratified by
the Legislatures with no more formality and
free will than were the 18th and 18th, re-
cognlzing citizenship and suffrage privilege.
The one is no more in conflict with our ideas
of property rights. than the others are in dis
cord with our sentiment as to the peculari-
ties of American citizenship. The one fol-
lowed the other as legitimate sequence =
They have been endorsed by popular verdict
10 our mind they are irrevcrsible. To at
tempt it, would be to inaugurate revolution
and to draw down upon the people Of the
South wrathful and vcngcful spirit, which
would paralyze material progress, blot out po-
litical identity, and nauyurate the rule of the
bayonct with tcn-fold more ferocity than ever
before experienced.
The only policy in which the Democratic
party can rcsta hope Of success, is to march
up to the endorsement Of the 1--we issues of
the day. We are living in new crave are
surrounded by new circumstances have
progressed away from that condition of ma
tional affairs, which called for the application
Of old theories We must adapt ourselves to
the present. We must recognize the determi
nations of the war; and rise to the coutcmpla
ton Of the fact, that tho progr assivc spirit of
the age cannot and will not be circumscribcd
by the effete notions of past generation =
We must ride with and control the currcrt.
Or be swept over by it.
-s---------
An adven turcr, calling himself Baron Dec
amin: proposed TO lcctpra at Ogsdenburg, N.
T., against the Catholics During his first