The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-04-02
The True Policy.

The True Policy.
We recur again to the Importance of SO
organizing the Republican party in this
state, preparatory to the contest for power
next autumn, as to secure to our ranks,
not only the unbiased intellect, but the
solid agricultural, industrial, and CONNER
cial interests of the state. There are
questions involved, and principles at issue,
which rise far above all mere party
considerations. The past. with its bitter
fruits and sad lessons, has left us, as
people, PROSTATE in all but energy, integri-
ty, enterprise, and true manhood. So
long as these high qualities remain, there
is hope for us in the future; we are left
free, at least, to grapple with the harsh
necessities of the present, and, if suffi-
GENTLY untrammeled by the grasp of
party discipline, may yet shape the
destinies of Virginia as the dictates Of
true patriotism would demand. The
period has arrived in our history when
the intelligent and patriotic citizen must
select his party relations anew when the
old ties and affiliations must give place to
those which spring from the changed
conditions and circumstances in which we
are placed. %
The sound catholic maxims which every
where underle the solid structure Of true
republicanism, are undergoing thorough
investigation in the public mind. They are
coming by degrees TO be more full appre-
ciated in their bearing upon the future of
the great Republic, and the more they are
considered and thoroughly canvassed the
more will they commend themselves to
popular favor. What is now most de-
manded, in both political parties of the
country, is a greater infusion of intelli-
gence, integrity, true manhood, and genu-
inc craftsmanship into our party organiza-
tons. With this done we need exact no
other test in our party platforms than an
honest and candid support Of the admin
istration of General Grant, leaving all
other questions to crystalze about the
central principles Of government. whose
recognition is sure to come in time, as
party prejudice and animosity continue
to subside.
The Republican party of Virginia cannot
afford, in any spirit of revengeful resent
ment, to slam the door in the faces of those
who would be its friends--who would join
them in developing the resources Of the state,
in building up the waste places, and uniting
their individual energies with those of the
party in everywhere advancing the gen.
eral good. These considerations are the
first that should move us to an alliance with
the old line Democrats and Wings, who
have become SO thoroughly disguised with
the Conservative leaders, in the last four
years, that continued affiliaton with them
is impossible. EVERYBODY must have come
to the conviction in this state, that the I'M
hallowed and inauspicious union of the late
Democraticparty with the spurious offshoot
of the Republican party in the recent pres
idential election, was the end at least of the
Democratic party that its eyentful career
was closed with the fitful and darkening
shadows that fell upon the home Of
their chosen chieftain, as the lamp of their
own existence went out in darkness with
his. Nor can it be hoped, by any sane
mind, that the old Wing party will be able
to recall the energies aud intelligence that
once powerfully vitalized it in this state,
where it even survived the death of the two
great statesmen who gave it existence.
Both these great parties are dead and bu-
ried out Of sight-hopelessly shoveled
away in the grave of spurious conserya-
tisln. Itwould be as impossible to resus-
citate eitherof these old parties as it would
be to bring back the mighty spirits of the
dead who made them SO grandly historic
in the days of their triumph and power.
The only party in Virginia that now has
any life, energy-yital power, in fact-is
that which represents the administration at
Washington, and which marched to victory,
under the Republican banner, last Novem-
Der. This party, augmented by the intel
ligence and manhood which then broke
away from the unnatural alliance of four
years ago, is the only ore that can be sue
cesslully brought into the field against the
spurious conservatism of Virginia, as repre-
scented by the Conservative party, 50 called.
1t is upon the success of the Republican
party, organized upon the proper basis of
intelligence, integrity and tried statesman
ship, that the future interests of Virginia
most vitality depend.
But how is this success to be secured /?
We have already indicated in part, and
have had no occasion to change our
views since they were first frankly and
freely expressed. To those who regard the
interests of party as paramount to those of
the state, or even of the general govern
ment, our advice may have but little
weight; but it shall not be withheld for all
that. 1t is the duty Of public journalist,
as it is Of every other man Of influence in |