The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-02-22
THE APPROACHING CAMPAIGN.

The palpable disintegration of the Repub-
lican party already existing, and the cheering
promise that it is rapidly progressing, and
the breach widening, adds significance aud
Importance TO the recent movement OF the
Liberal Republicans Of Missouri, noticed IN
our issue of week before last. It is folly to
conceal the fact that plans are being matur.
ed looking to general uprising Of the peo-
pleopposed to the administration Of Gen. Grant,
moved by determination to arrest the tend
ency Of tho government towards Capitalization,
and abate the vast corruptions which existin
every part Of the public service. We are not
OF those who are willing TO charge that the
President is willing party to all the gross
wrongs which have been committed during
his term of Office, by subordinate officers Of
the government. We are rather disposed to
assign as cause for the widespread corrup-
tions that exist, the prevalence Of a loose mo-
raiity every where, indicated in almost
every State and city government in the
country. The daring and adventurous
spirit Of the age, lives now on the commission
Of crime, who hold official positions, in the
the hope of escaping detection in the general
confusion that must necessarily exist n seek
ing to check the vast volume Of corruption
that is spread out before the country. They
dare the risk, and as the disposition to do
wrong and swindie the government seems to
be universal, it is unreasonable to charge the
President with being willing party to the
many frauds committed But the fact that
stupendous frauds have been detected and de-
vel oped during his administration, and the
perpetrators traced to his appointces, the
public mind seems disposed to hold him re-
sponslble for them. In representative view,
this may be partially right, for he stands at
the head of the Republican party, from whose
members the unfathfnl and corrupt office
holders have been selected The only way
therefore, to escape the odium which must
cling to the administration, is to cut loose from
the association, and take position Of antago
nism. This has been done by the Liberal
Republicans Of Missouri, and from indications
being givea all over the country, the move
ment is destined to assume large dimensions,
and bring within its influence many OF the
leading minds of the Republican party. More
Especially in the West is this the case. Trum-
bull, Logan, Brown, Davis of Illinois, Shurz,
Upton, Cox, and number Of Others of the
leading spirits of the Republican party in that
section, have declared their purpose to give
countenance to tae new DEPARTURE and Ell
Their directly or Indirectly participate in the
Convention that assemblies in Cincinnati, on
the 9th of May. It is stated that delegates
from every Congressional District in the coun-
try viii be in attendance on that occasion.
President and Vice President, and true men,
in whom the country can repose confidence,
are chosen, that part of itself will go very far
towards controlling the Democratic party in
its deliberations, when Convention Of that
party shall be assembled.
There is no question that there is a major
| ity Of the popular vote Of the United States
opposed to the administration. There are
5000, 900 Democratic voters in the country
and if 600 900 more can be won over to the
movement Of the Liberal Republicans from
the Republican party, there is no doubt
as to the result if the two elements will COM
bine, And we can see no iusuperable diff
Guilty in such combination being Effected
As we have frequently had occasion to say
through these columns, the necessity for the
Democratic party to adheret to the constitution
with the amendments, is imperative. This
being agreed on, the aim and object Of both
the Democrats and the Liberal Republicans
are the same, and that the publication Of the
public service and healthy reform in the
administration of the affairs of govern.
ment Having common object in view,
there could not reasonably be difficulty in Sc
Letting candidate aud uniting upon him, if
he be an honest man. let him come from
which ever of the elements Of the combina-
tions he might. IF the sole purpose is to
better the country, men will not hesitate in
selecting between the nominations Of the Gin
cinnati Convention in May, if any are made,
and the Philadelphia Convention in June,
which will likely put forward Gen. Grant.
Such are our views. The developments Of
the next six months may modify them, but as
affairs now look, we are very confident the
true policy Of the Democrats to unite with
the Liberal Republicans and make common
cause in the November cleo ion.
There is another consideration which ia
vors a coalition between the two elements
The Liberal Republican movement is vest
ern departure. IF with the aid of the Demo-
Gratis the western States can be secured, and
the south will prove true to itself, they will
have it in their power to control the legisla
| tion of the country in behalf Of western and
southern interest The coalition will be le-
| climate and the common interest of the two
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