The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-10-08
Public Sentiment.

Public Sentiment.
THE elevation of the tene OF popular scnti-
anent above the mere influence Of party or sen-
sltional clanaor, is one of the highest duties of
the Press. Its honest expression through legal
ly prescribed methods is the most sacred obi
CATION OF thc citizen. In this free government
public sentiment is law, and i'll the degree that
ii is enaosled by honest conviction, arrived at
through careful reelection, does it exert its in
iluence for good OF evil over the social, polti-
cal and educational relations of community. Il
is only by the predominance of the moral for
ces OF man, that this healthy condition OF pub
lie opinion can be secured and it is only through
The fearless exercise of individual right that it
can find expression.
1t is an indisputable fact that in Virginia,
the political opinion OF the people can rarely be
ascertained. 4 notable illustration OF this as
sumption, may be found in a recent Executive
act, which received the almost universal and
spontaneous appreciation of the people, and
yet when it comes to a broad and more gener-
al application of the principle involved, is repu-
dated at the polls by the very persons who
gave it their enthusiastic sanction as presented
in the Veto Message of Governor kenny
the Petersburg Charter. A Conservative Leg
islature had determined to defeat the popular
will by Legislative enactment. A Conservative
Governor, regarding it as cminently tnsrp edl-
ent, without arguing the glaring unconstitI-
t'olality of the bill, placed upon it executive
Inhibition, and in doing this, threw himself i'll
sympathy with the arguments and policy Of
the Republican party. Without weighing the
patty bearing. it lnight have, the people i'll
stinctively applauded the Governor, and by
implication rebuked the Legislature. Here it
was that the expression of the honest senti-
ment OF the masses was given in favor OF the
Republican party, when the principle involved
was advocated by Conservative Governor,
notwithstanding the action of the Conserva-
tive Legislature. Had Republican, however,
occupied the Executive. chair, the bill would
have been passed over his veto, under the
whip and spur of party necessity, prejudice
and violence, and stimulated by the same ma
Ign Influence the people would have detained
for the wisdom of the action.
1t is apparent to the most superficial consid-
Grafton, that when party publishes itself as
being controlled by prejudice and passion, by
reason Of 8 name and that because OF this
name, it may be lead into the extreme of party
wrong, even affecting g fundamental principle
OF government, that its control of public affairs
is matter of questionable propriety, if not oil
5lnmistakable harm.
We contend that il there could be a fair eX-
preston of public sentiment in Virginia to-day.
it would be in accord with the administration
of President Grant. The popular impulse re-
spends to the fair and impartial enforcement
of the laws, whatever may be the sensational
sentiment OF the infammatory politicians, and
,eyeR in the ease Of Louisiana, where the origi
nal right OF the controversy between the con-
tending factions, may net have been determin-
elk yet when the question is presented whether
anarchy, civil war, and blool-siled are to pre-
vail, or'the strong arm Of the government i'll
teiposed there is q sturdy. acqlescence in the
policyof order and peace, whatever the agen-
ces employed to bring it about, so long as the
politicians are quiet.
In making application Of these general re-
marks, the question presents itself-would moi
the people of Virginia be acting the part Of
wisdom in giving expression to their honest o
efsinions, regardless of the appeals Of the pro
fessionai deaagogua, whose personal ;interes
is involved in deluding the masses into parti
2Zan excuses? What have theyto gain by con
2tinling in an attitude of hostility to the gov
:ernmant? Where is the reason for it, consis-
tent with the general interest Of the State? II
is olly to effect the personal ends of political
nountebanks, who care for nothing but their
own promotion. Glance over the State, and
we find extreme men representing the Con
sentative party in nearly every Congressional
District. The honest sentiment of the people
no. in sympathy with them, bat through the
machinery of party they ere forceddnto an en-
dorsement of views of public questions at va.i-
ance with their unbiased judgments. Elect
Tucker, lLtrris, H!lnton, Douglas, Walker,
sGoode AID Terry, and throw out every Virginia
Republican from Congress. and the result will
be that the State will stand soliltly arrayed a.
gain;t the government, representing i'leas and
opinions that can have no practical applica
ton in the affairs of the nation, and must con
eentrtte the hostility of the liberal entmen
OF the country.
Calmly investigate, .dissect and Judge ths
Conservative party of Virginia, and what. doe.
it present? Simply'a party of expedients, with
ont principle party of prejudice without rea
son--,t party of isolation and intolerance. with
ont the power to accomplish q single benefit
for the State bit whose policy is daily work
ing incalcnlable harm to all the great interests
Of the Conlmo wealth. Where is the reason
" the sesse in the people OF Virginia co.ltinu-
ing this suicidal policy? Bias not the Conssrv
alive party proven its wcakhess and its malatl
ministtntion to an alarming extent i'll the man
.sgement of the State affairs? We assume it as
IN incontrovertible fact that no State has hee
4w ,rse erred for. We have time and again, call
I'd attention to its reckless squandering of the
D ,blic revenl,es-to it's bal faith to the crcdi
of the State-its corruption in the a.lministra
lion of the financial AFFAIRS and to the eleplora
be condition its policy has reduced tn com
snonwealth; and added to the catalogue of it,
Domestic wrongs.is its persistent antagenisln tx
he National government, based apln idea:
which were submitted to the arbtmment O
ne sword and determined against us.
We know that the peonle in their calm an(
ispassionate and thoughtful moments 40 moi