The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-05-07
Eating Humble Pie.

We have received within the last lew
weeks several communications similar IN |
character and sentiment to that which we
publish from our Winchester correspondent
to-day, with this difference only, that some
of them were more pointed and personal
than others, but all breathing the same
general spirit and imbued with the same
strong conviction as to our failure or success
this coming fall. We have either thrown
the communications aside, or returned
them to their respective writers as re-
quested, deeming the personal al
lusions out of place in our columns,
since our journal is run in the
interests of the party, and not with view
to advancing or dsparaging the claims
of any particular man or set of men in it.
The letter signed "Old War-Horse" comes
the nearest to the views already expressed
by us, except as to what it may say about
"Mr. A and Mr.. B." neither Of whom
could have our support in the nominating
convention, if we thought they would
weaken our chances of success. We go
for principles first and men afterwards;
I'd when we would 60 for both, we would
do so in order to win-to advance the par
ty and its essential principles, not men.
We think we are not mistaken as to the
character Of the men who voted with us for
the first time last November. They had
become disguised with the ,Walker-Con-
sentative party, and were DESTROYS Of
placing Virginia in accord with President
Grant and the only party which can be Of
any earthly service to the state in the next
decade Of our history. The same men see
and feel the importance of still further
: strengthening the entente cord,dle between
the state and the federal government; bu
to be of any service to us or themselves
they must see their way clear out of thu
ranks of the one party into the other
Many of these persons voted for Grant anc
I Wilson without the knowledge of theil
most intimate political friends, and without
the suspicion even that they had thrown
aside their party shackles. They stand, to al
appearances at least, entirely identified witt
: the Conservative party to-day, as much 81
as before the presidential election.
But they are imbucd with the sam'
strong conviction that if our state could b.
honorably allied 1--WE speak from theil
standpoinO with the federal government
,, it would be immensely to our advantage
! in respect to all the material industries
, activities, and welfare of the state. Thu
great end to be gained lies in bridging thu
chasmal differences which separate us from
: them. Shall we throw the first stran'
: across the chasm, or shall they i? or hav
: they not already thrown the first stran'
by voting for General Grant? To com
: to us, and pass over the power of the stat
. into our hands, we must make the act Q
: crossing the bridge one of justification Il
their otcn eVes. We must not only aid il
: throwing up the bridge, but we must ex
= act no such toll as that OF getting down o
> ones marrowbones and eating dirt the er
tire way across it. Men don't eat polit
;. cal humble pie in that way, nor unde
" that sort of currying favor.
;, To take the ticket which the Conserva6y
y party of the state would Through its sevt
- raj newspapers generously vouchsafe u
v with no strand thrown across the chasmi
= differences named, would be setting, in oil
judgment, the most extraordinary dish I
;, humble pie'' before them that ever tt
ty political stomachs of poor mortals had
At digest. 1t is card that won't win, and +
n n, amount Of genufection, prostrating, an
he kissing of hands will cause it to vii
81 Human nature is human nature, and me
VS. who are in position to grant, not exac
er political favors, are those who are yer
" apt to see that their bread is buttered
al least on one side.