The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-10-15
Levsline Up,

The question of the continued supremacy OF
the Republican party in the. administrator OIL
the government is impr ssing Itself upon the
popular intelligence. each recurring day, With
more and more Significance. For twelve
months past in Virginia, until the rcvolutlona-
ry outburst in Louisiana. political feeling had
become so etiescent that Che most acute OBJ
sarvation could discover nothing more than
nomaism to distinguish between the two par
ties. In the subsistence OF passion, incident to
the tone of Gov. KeMper's veto OF the Peters
burg Charter, an advance step was taken by
the Conservative press and people, which man
Tested itself in disposition to anticipate the
action. OF party conventions, and declare for
esident Grant for Il third term. 1t had the APP
rance for while that, by common consent,
Conservatives were willing to compromise
IN proposition of this kind and assert their
national sympathies by accepting him as their
exponent in 1875.
This hopeful tendency Of public sentiment
was OF short duratons, however. The spring
elections gave spasnlodic revival to the Dem
ocratc party Here and there the defeat OF
hcploHCdu III Il municipal GoHees.s i''-'-~
the hope thata political revolution had been
naugurated which was to carry upon its tide
the Democratic party into power. The ku-
klux Of Kentucky and Tennessee, and the
White Leagues of the Cotton States. stimula-
ted by these indications, gave open evidences
OF their vitality by excuses that shocked the.
sensblities of civilization, and which eulmi-
mated in an organized effort to defy the local
a authorities, and even to overthrow tine govern
ment of State. The almost universal sympa-
thy which this last act inspired throughout
conservative communities, brought to the. sur
face the doepfeeling Of hostility that exists to
the results Of the war, and clearly manifested
disposition to destroy the peace and harmony
Of the Southern States by u continued agitation
OF resistance to rreversible events. ~
These recent manifestations have awakened
the apprehe;isions of the country. 1t seems to
be the approach to a revival of the issues OF
1869, which were decided by an appeal to arms.
The question is Brought palpable' again to the
public attention, whether or not the adjust
ment Of a four years bloody conflict is to be
sustained or repudiated, and whether the
Southern States are to be given over to the
reckless. domiaancy of a party, owhse policy Of
sectiona! hate and desperation would inaugu-
rate an era OF despotisrn unparalleled in the
annals OF political history.
The question with the people in the APP
preaching November elections, is. are they so
ing to level up to the standard of adjustment
fixed in the amendments to the Constitution,
Or down to that implied in futile yet harmful
resistance to them? Do they in good faith in
tend to observe the terms of reconstruction,
obey the laws, respect the rights of citizenship,
and thus allay political and personal asperities,
and secure peace and prosperity, or invite the
hostility OF the government. There is no ques-
ton of the fact that the laws will be enforced,
and their violation punished; every right of
citizenship exercised With impunity, whether
attaching to white or black men, and it is for
the people ia t9le,Sonthern States to determine
whether this will be done pcaceably or forcibly.
1t is for them to say whether they viii! level UP
to the laws-recognize their observance as
part of their duty, and carry them out in the
spirit of good citizenship and national sympa-
thy.