The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-02-22
PERFECTION OF STATEsMANSHIP.


The rise, elimination and decline Of the
Republic OF America, will necessarily have
their determining epochs. The Dark Age,
the Middle Age, and the Golden Age, respect
lively mark the progress of civilization, and
the gradual advancement of intellectual ability
upon the domain Of material ability, in ORIENT
al history, as indicated by revolution, hero
glyphics and letters. And as TIE existence
and purpos es of nations, like human life. is
but one eternal circle, ever bringing us around
to the hopes and sorrows of childhood, we
must philosophically become resigned to the
memorable destiny that awaits the American
Republic. With an abiding faith in the
immutabiity ofthis hypothesis, we have.irrev-
erently discarded the theoretic idea that this
world was to be rolled up like scroll and con-
sumed with FIRE, before its time comes. It
may be that, as in human life, the ascent to
the dividing period is longer than from that
epoch to the close of terrestrial existence, so
rapid than growth and maturity, and hence
the span Of our natural life may have been al
ready more than two-thirds spent.
We are not versed in the science of exeget-
les, and therefore it is with some hesitancy
that we venture an opinion as to the precise
period, when the perfection Of the Republi
can government Of the United States, was
reached. W. are we'll satisfied that it is on
the decline and were it not for the radiance
shed over the crumbing ruins that surround
us, by one Of the beacon lights of the nation,
still unaickcfed, it would be very difficult
task to indicate with any precision the epoch
which notes the decrease.
When, however, We contemplate the pro-
erosion Of American Intellect to it's most
brilliant achievements aud are asked to indi-
cate the exact time. when American states
manship received its finishing touch, We
think we will be borne out by universal con-
cession in the conclusion, that the consum-
nation is to be found in the Administration
of Willard Fillmore when ALEXANDER HUGH
HOLMES STUART assumed direction of the
affairs of theswarthy inhabitants Of the Amer
can Desert! That is the magnetic epoch,
to which all previous aud future events must
point-the period whence the elimination and
decline Of American craftsmanship must be
reckoned.
We honestly confess that this important
historical truth, woald have escaped our at
5eation, were it not for the fact that the central
figure in that splendid array Of genius still
lives to remind US that he was member of
Mr. Filmore's Cabinet" and that as ssSecre-
tary of the INTERIOR" he recommended that
certain Indian funds" be invested in "Vir-
ginia bonds At par.''
Now, we assume, without fear of contradic-
ton, that if Virginia does not come square up
to the Indians, and pay them dollar for dollar,
it will justify the Trustee Of the United States.
in marching its armed legions, with fixed bay
onets, and leaden cartridges, down upon our
people, and taxing the equivalent. That s
Mr. Stuart's position, and who will doubt its
wisdom He stands now as 10 the gorgeous
days Of the perfection of all human govern
ment, the impersonat:on Of the Genius Of
Liberty, with the scales of Justice in his
and. The Alabama 5 per ceats. were t o
light for the certain Indian funds" and
over they were tossed The Virginia 6's
evenly balanced them, as Mr.. Stuart wei !
knew they would, and hence the bargain was
struck
The only hope Of escape We have from the
terrible fate Mr.. Stuart's warming" voice
has indicated will be the charity chat is al
ways extended to declining age and stricken
poverty American craftsmanship has sadly
declined since those happy days. and if we
cannot now fill the measure Of his great ex-
pectations.' it will haze to be attributed to
the mournful fact. that since he left the Cab
iret of Mr. Fillmore, everything has been
'plunging from gulf to gulf on the down
ward road to the devil cob for the good
old days Of Adam and of Eve