The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-12-18
s'sunset', Cox.

cence-a superlatlVe superHulty. lie Is
made up of froth and fury-a kind of chron-
ic Fourth Of July, after dinner. He
seems to confound rant with reason, and
platitudes with patriotism. Scholarly, con
ceitel and verbose, he mistakes these for
the constituents Of the statesman, aud tack.
les every question that comes up in Con-
grsss, as though high sounding words and
fux of metaphors answered the purpose Of
digoified logic and consecutive reason. He
is Democrat, and therefore feels that it is
part Of his representative duty to assail
and belittle everything that has the sanct-
ion of the administration. If the Ten Com
mandments, Or the Lords Prayer, were sent
in to the clerks desk to be read, as coming
from the Executive Mansion, or one Of the
heads of departments, he would instantly
square himself for a tilt at them. He re-
minds US of a tom tit on stately oak,
jumping around on all sides to see whether
he can get his beak in. On last Friday, a
bill making an appropriation of 100000
Tor extraordinary emergencies in the Navy
Department, came up for consideration
ia Committee Of the Whole. It would
not have been in consonance with the
ipfammatory nature Of Mr.. Cox's spirit
to have opposed this, Dor would it have been
consistent with his legislative history to have
approved it without peppering his vote with a
good deal of gun-powder. So he had to
strain point and lug in the Cuban question,
and pronounce the diplomacy of the govern
ment shameful aud pusillaoimous, when in
tbs entire range Of diplomatic history there
has never been exhibited more ma:ured
aud dignifed craftsmanship, and scrupuous
sensitiveness in regard to national honor
than has been displayed in the progress Of
the discussion Of the matters growing out OF
the outrage to the American Aag By the
Spanish authorities. Without parade, with
cut indecent haste, the President and Secre-
tai Va StaU0 nave IdAcH Ao'u VI ti2t QUeo-
tons involved, and carried the negotiations
to successful and honorable termination,
such as to command the admiration and ap-
proval Of the entire country. This, howev-
er, did net suit Mr.. "Sunset'' Coz, Who be-
ing so "horribly stuffed with epithets of
war;" and anxious to "cut throat or scuttle
a ship makes the recommendation the coca
sion for assaiing the President, his Cabinet,
and Congress in the most unscemly and Vi
olant language.
| Mr.. "Sunset" Cox is recognized as Dem
ocratic leader. It is lamentable that leader.
dership has to be conferred upon men of his
ealibre and conception of duty. He seems
to be incapable of grasping subject in the
spirit Of true American citizenship. In
grave international complications. in which
is involved the honor Of the nation, MIR.
Cox deems it proper to arrest the calm,
thoughtful consideration of proposition
coming from the department Of government
most intimately associated with the Difficult
ties, by an infammatory and denunciatory
stump speech, better suited to the purlens
Of Rowery, and the denizens of Five Points,
than the halls of the American Congress.
Yet, Mr.. ''Sunset" Cox receives the appro-
val and sympathy Of his party, and no word
Of reproof escapes except from tho lips of
Republican members
If it is any comfort for Mr.. sssunset'' Ces,
we will inform him that the common YER
dict of the country, will be that of unmiti-
gated contempt for the spirit he has mani
tested. In a matter wherein is implicated
the national character and the rights of
American citizens, the people feel the most
unquestioned and unouestonable confidence
in the President and his constitutional adyi-
sers and the American Congress. It is
something that reaches above the atmos,
phere of party, and rises into the region Of
patriotism. Ii Mr.. Cox is incapable of get
ting to that plane, and can only find gratif-
cation in partizan vituperation, and congo
NAL food for his fcrvid Imagination in
wholesale arraignment Of the government as
pusilanimous and ccwardIy, why let him do
SO. His ambition is unenyiable, and his a.
chieyements will be despicable.