The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-10-30
ss!.- RsaA ISSUE

Tt REQUIRES no very great stretch OF reason
to solve the difficulties which have been en-
countered and the results realized IN the adj
ministration of affairs in the Southern States.
IF the reader will but take glance at the
vndic,ive and intolerant feeling that controls
the Conservative party even at this day, to.
wards those of the native people who sup
port the government and are endeavorlng to
carry out in good faith the spirit Of the Con-
stitutiou, they can very readily understand
what that feeling was IN the extreme South
ern States where the sentiment Of sectional
| ism was more intense, at the close of the war
No native citizen could have lived in peace,
and accepted the results of the war in sin
certify aud openly. Much less could he have
done so, had he accepted Office under the gov
erument. His motives would have been ma
lgned, and his character traduced with a
bittgrness only begotten Of malgnity, as was
| the case with Longstreet of Louisiana and
Orr of Sou.h Carolina. At this very time
| in Virginia. any one who's extended the
corntenance and favor of the governm ent.
because of his adherence to the p'ighted faith
of the people and the State, is denounced as
a traitor to his section and people.
This intolerant spirit prevented natives
from giving in their adhesion to the govern
ment, whatever might have been their dispo-
eitiop. The result was rpet-baggers, some
Of them INSCRIPTIONS aud corrupt, hocked
down there The Offices had to be filled, aud
they accepted them. The negroes we're ig
norant, aud believed they were acting for the
best, when they gave their support to those
who held commissions from the government.
So all the harm that has resulted from car
pet-bsg rule in those states, is justly charge
able to the native whites who sulIenly refus.
ed to recognize the na'ional authority
They have none to blame but Themselves
The issue in Virginia in this contest is
whether the people will recognize the author
ity of the government and the saactlty OF
their obligations by the election Of ticket
h, AIDED by Hughes, in professed harmony
with the government, or that lead by KEN
per in direct antagonism TO the Constitution
and laws of the county. That is the cues
ton. when boiled down and the substance Of
the campaign is reached. It is for the PEG
pie to determine, whether or not they will
align themselves with the government, or
record verdict in favor Of sectional intoler-
ance and national hatred. They have ma
tive Virginan of high character and COM
mapdiug intellect, more Intimately acgua!nt-
ed with the wants Of the State than any
man in it, to represent this national senti
ment, and not a carpet Dagger. There can
be no doubt Of his fealty to the State and
government On the other hand, kemper
has shown no OIL her qualities than that Of the
Llatant demagHg g, the sectional fanatic
and the otfiee-seekins politician. In point
Of Intellect and moral heroism there is nc
comparison between the two caud ldates.--
1 Hughes towers so far above Kemper in all
the attr butes that 20 TO make Up states
man. that it would be the uerest folly to at
tempt to institute comparison.