The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-08-21

eaAu dcAuo~le0Seu WIitteu anu iAoi al laws,
are the indubitable and irrefragable privil-
eyes Of every citizen. These constitute es-
sentia. elements in the theory of our govern
ment. Our mental activities would have no
proper and healthy stimulus were not these
progressive and elastic incentives constantly
surrounding US. The very framework and
life of our system Of government coute mplate
mental activity and expansion, and man
blessed by lis Creator with healthy intellec-
tual faculties, is false to his high mission
and destiny if he does not exercise them,
toawed by power, aud fearless of popular
c,amor. Whenever an individual fails to
measure up to the stature Of man In this
respect-form his own conclusions and fear
lessly proclaim them, he prostitutes his man
hood to the level of the brute, and advertises
his voluntary slavery to the basest emotion Of
our nature-fear. A man is no better than
brute who does not respect himself-rocog-
nize his responsibilities for his individual at
tributes, and seek to exercise them for the
best end, Motives govern every human ac-
ton, and if they be pure, no man should fail
to follow out to their logical conclusion his
deliberately formed opinions. Wewould de-
spise. ourself, did we dare to tolerate the
thought of allowing another to do our think
ing,sor should we hesitate for moment to
express, on all proper occasions, our convic-
lions apon every question affecting the pub
lie welfare.
But notwithstanding the cardinal truth as
to the character of our institutions, aud the
principle Of moral freedom in individuals, to
which we have alluded, it has come to a
point in Virginia, that man is not allowed
to aave an opinion of his own, unless it har-
monies with the passions of the many. Men,
who were born and raised On Virginia's soil,
whose lahors have been directed to her de-
velopment and prosperity, who have scrupu-
lousy observed all the requirements Of good
citizenship, if they, after careful reflection,
arrive at a conclusion in conflict with the
miserable, unmauiy, devilish prejudices of Sec
tiohaEsa, they are forthwith proclaimed
"scaawags," Yecreant sons OF Virginia. AID
must be ostracised in their business and So
cial relations. Some men cannot stand this
pressure. Others def it. And as true
rlend of Virginia, or honest and honorable
citizen, weswouH not give one Of this latter
class, for one hundred Of the slaves Of pas
sion, who will constitute his perse cutors.
Sooner or later the truth will stand vindlca-
ted. Moral convictions will assert their mas.
terry over sporadic passion. The progressive
force OF principle will demonstrate its own
power and resistlessn ness, aad its final tri-
umph. We as religiously believe that the prin-
ciples of the Republican party will dominate
in this country, and this State, as we do that
we have an existence. They comprehend the
idea OF the intellectual and moral develop
ment of the human race. They open the way
for higher and broader civilization and
: christianization. They contemplate the School
ton of the standard Of moral and mental ex-
cellence. We have an mistaken faith in
mans high Destiny, and do not believe that
it is in the counsels or devices Of man to
thwart it.
With these convictions deep down In our
very soul and being, we will follow their teach
.ings, in defiance of all epithets and proscrp
ton, that the ingenuity Of uureasoning pas
sion can suggest. ,sWe believe that the kand
of Providence was instrumental in striking
the manacles from the arms and mind Of ths
NEGRO, and we believe that He ha' put it into
the hearts of men to follow out the grand
thought involved of his education to an IN
telligent realization of his obligations and du-
, ties as moral being Twohundred years of
slavery and darkness are to be succeed by the
lights Of christian civilization that will de
velopsais faculties, both intellectual and NOR
al, and constitute him an elem ent to glorify
his Creator. The war upon him by the
whites, as proposed by the Conservative party
of Virginia, is in conflict With the spirit Of
civilization and christianity, and cannot sue
coed.
1t will amuse the Republicans in the Val
ley 10 learn thas-the Enquirer, to sustain IT'S
calculation that Kemper will beat Hughes
by 20 900, says that ''Grant polled every rad
lcal vote in the State that was available or
that could be voted We arc satisfied that
at least three fourths of the stay -at-home vote
would have voted for Grant, if it had been
tpolled, aad We are further convinced that at
least one-half of it will vote for Hughes, in
addition to large number who voted for
Greeley. We do not make this as an Idle
boast We are willing to rest its verifeation
upon the result in November.
II is very important that every voter ln
the county should register. There are a
number of our citizens who have neglected
this essential duty. Let not this BE- the ex-
cuss ivr not voting in November next
When the time co,uas for onaninp the ra,yiS- |