National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-02-04

| to dislike. Thus Ahe Virginia Representa-
tives. hating Republicanlam and ibsrful OF
the Democratic trap thas has been set for
them, are ccmpeflsd. 90 far q caucus con-
nection is concerned, to BECOME political
eunuchs. n this unenviable plight they
dance attendance to the calls of their con-
stituents, but are utterly powerless to serve
the interests for which they were especially
chosen. This is as we predicted it would
be pending the campaign in which they
were elected. The people Of the State,
blindly following the selfish dictates Of
party managers, succeeded in that cleo
ton in destroying their privilege to
be represented in the House, except in
the three districts from which Republican
members were returned. The sham
Conservatives, to catch the Old Wing and
demoralize the Republican vote, denounced
the Democracy in unmeasured terms dur
ing that campaign. We have nothing in
common with the Democratic party. they
said, and at the same time, while denounc-
ing the Republican organization with equal
bitterness. impudently asserted their friend
ship for the National Administration. But
their reputation of Republicanism exposed
the animus of their real position, and de-
stroyed the possibility Of acquiring any in
fiuence either with the dominant party In
the House or with the Administration. At
the same time their pledges to support the
internal improvement policy. Of the Admin
istratioR has antagonized them with the
State rights schemes of the Democracy.
They are entitled to no sympathy in their
quandary. 1t is the result of such barefaced
Inconsistency that they subject themselves
as the victims Of their own duplicity to the
aversion of all who despise deceit and polit-
ical dishonesty. 1t is impossible to analyze
the aggregation Of principles and lack of
principle which has effected this deplorable
combination; but in attempting to do SO We
find State rights Democrats repudiating
State rights theories, Conservatives repu-
dating conservatism. the opposition at
tempting to indorse the Administration,
and such mixture of antagenizing opinions
and belief that we turn from ii with feel
ing of sickening disgust. 80 ..
/. 1t is to be hoped that this unsatisfactory
condition Of affairs will prove to be lesson
from which the people of Virginia will
profit in the future. Blu, its application is
not alone TO the future. 1t has to do with
the present, and particularly with the pros
poets of the great Virginia -line-the
James river and Kanawha canal. The
same blind policy has dictated the manage
ment Of this corporation as that which has
produced such baneful results in matters
purely political. The scheme for its COM
pletion needs no argument to commend it
to the support of every fair-minded and pa
triotic citizen. and if it were urged by the
proper class of persons-men whose peliti-
cal integrity is beyond reproach. men who
mean what they say when they declare
that the canal is intended for the benefit of
the entire country, instead of few politi-
cal leaders-its prospects would be greatly.
Unfortunately the opposite case
is the: fact. The men most directly and
personally interested in the successful re-
suit of the enterprise are in every way an
tagonized, as the members of the House
are, to the power from which alone aid can
be reached. Alter all, then, the great Vir-
ginia water-line must rely for success upon
the efforts of the Republican members from
the State, and it is about time that they
should begin 10 move in the matter.