The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-05-22
THE STaTESMAN's OPPORTUNITY.

above the petty contracted prejudices of acc
ton, and suhorlinating the educational pc
euiarities of a past social anomaly, to an ele
waited spirit Of nationality, and policy in
consonanec with the genuine interest and ma
terial development Of the State, the field is
! truly grand. A brave heart and clear, COM
prehensive brain, have the opportunity DOW
to successfully appeal to the patriotic emo
tlens OF the people; arouse them to calm,
dispassionate consideration Of the situation,
and direct them in channel Of thought and
! demonstratlye action, that will mark the first
step to the substantial regeneration Of the
State. 1t is a stern. melancholy truth, that,
| with all our wonderful natural advantages of
geographical position, climatic attraction,
manufacturing facilities, mineral resources,
and prolific soil, the substantial interests Of
| the State are retrograding. Not only this,
but the policy now sought TO be introduced
as the controlling element in the economy Of
party falsely claiming all the intelligence,
character and wealth of the State, if success
fully inaugurated, will cause the.desceut in
the scale of material prosperity, intrinsic
wealth, and intellectual development, beyond
the apprehension of the most extra VACANT
fancy. It is a painful fact, that the true
condition ofthe State of Virginia is not fully
comprehended by her citizens When we re-
member that We have refrigerated from the
first to tho eleventh Commonwealth in aflu
ence aud political power-th one half our
lands are Idle and unprodnctive, our water
power untitled, our minerals undeveloped,
and that this can only be corrected by the in
PRODUCTION of labor and capital-and that the
SO called Conservative party of Virginia, has
proclaimed as the issue of the next canvass a
policy that viii inevitably and effectualy
drive away our present labor element, and
forbid the influx Of capital, a faint idea may
be conceived Of the future that awaits us, if
the people permit the of6ce-seekers and polit.
ical demagogues to mislead them For turn
it around as you please, the lust for Office lies
at the foundation of the issue sought to be
forced Of the White Man against the Negro,
and the practical result of success upon that
fatal issue viii be direct verdict against the
spirit Of the reconstruction acts, which we
are solemnly pledged to support; the crystal
ization into tangible form of sectional preju-
dice and intolerance, and formal declaration
BY the people Of Virginia that both capital
and labor must be considered secondary to
this insane prcdonlinance of passion. The
idea of an intelligent people, whose material
growth and prosperity hang suspended on the
issue-whcse educational system is deeply in
volved-whose commercial interests and pub
lie credit, are to be seriously afected-in fact
all their great interests to be determined for
veal or deliberately hugging to their
bosoms foolish and misehievous race preiu-
dice, 10 which there is nothing practical lily
and substantially good and bencfcent-from
which nothing bat harm can possibly issue
is INDUSTRIOUS. There never was suggested a
more vicious.outrage in a social aud political
point of view, nor one so fatal to the future
welfare Of Virginia, considered in regard to
her material progress-nor one that depended
more exclusively upoa the subordnasion Of
reason and common sense to the reign of Ii
censed passion and prejudice. It is bafba-
| rous issue, in conflict with an enlightened
craftsmanship and comprehensive under
standing of all the great questions of State
and national policy. It is false issue, be-
cause there is no party or organization seek :
ing to place the negro above the white man ;
and it is an issue involving the fatal admis-
sion on the part Of those who make it that
they have no principle Of government, aud no
policy of administration, to recommend tn sm
to the confidence of the people. It is wick
ed attempt to deceive the masses into the
elevation to Office Of the political dead-beats
| who can lay no other claim to popular conf
dence. It is an issue in which, if successful,
is involved the ruin of the State, the instala-
ton of imbecility aud treachery, and the
prostration Of every interest connected with
the mste,i-l prosperity of Virginia
| We place in opposition to it the broad ideas
of
National Fealty;
Inviolable State Credit;
! An enlightened Public Free School sys-
TEN;
A liberal system of Free Railroads, re-
stricted by legislative enactmepts to guard
the interests Of the people.
| And faithful sed honorable compliance
with our pledges to accept the reconstruction
measures in word and spirit.
| In these are involved the genuine prospe
rity of the people.
They vail insure national recognition of
our great public interets-the James River
aud Kauawha Canal, and Education of the
masses.
They will invite capital and enterprise, for
they will assure security in their invest
ments.