The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-01-22
The Committee OF Nine.

The Committee OF Nine.
Just at this particular time there seems to
be considerable commotion about Richmond,
among the politicians, as to who was the
originator of the "Committee of nine' move
ment. Nearly all the gentlemen prominent
ia that sdeparture" have been keeping quite
shady on the subject for several years past,
until now, when it is thought little cheap
capital can be made out Of it. the cauldron
begins to bubble That it was patriotic
movement no one questions, who is capable
of laying aside sectional prejudice and ex-
pressing his honest convictions; yet it is his
torical fact thet those prominent in it, have
generally, by their party actions, since the
benefits have been realized, practically repu-
dated it. The Conservative party Of the
State have not recognized it BY appropriate
and legitimate rewards to those who incur
red the odium of it, nor have they shown
any grateful sentiment of appreciation of the
liberal and conciliatory action of Preside ut
Grant in the premises. No sooner had pow
er been obtained through the generosity of
the President, than the food-gates Of abuse
and denunciation were opened upon him by
the very men that his policy had invested
with authority. The rattle-snake who is
now at the head of the law department of
the State is an illustration, judged by his
congratulatory telegram to the President and
his subsequent action. The late Governor
accepted the hooors conferred upon hin
through the catholic policy of the admins
tration, and had scarcely warmed the seat Of
the executive chair, before he became the
censor of the power that indirectly confer
| red the distinction In the recent election
for senator, Stuart and Echols and Suther.
| lin, who were the first to counsel and bring
forth the plan of reconstruction, were over
! looked, and the most embittered enemy of
that movement, chosen over them. This is
| Virginia Conservatism.
| But as to the new movement. We think
it will be found, when the history of its in
ception is ascertained, that the first sugges-
ton, of tangible character, came from
Gen. Stoneman. 1t will also be found that
Gen. Echols and Mr.. Stuart simultaneously
entertained the views advanced by Gen..
Stoneman, and that others approved it at the
time, but had grave doubts as to the policy
of its Inauguration then, inasmuch as the
people were not ready for it, in their opin-
ion. We cannot however, precisely under
staud the small ambition Of any one man at
this day, to prefer his claims especially as the
author Of it. 1t is species Of vanity that
betokens weak mind, and that will not
contribute to general verdict of common
dation. If good has grown out of it, the
consciousness of having been the instru-
ment, even in part, of effecting it, should be
sufficient reward, and would be, where patri-
otism was the controlling sentiment. 1t
looks like very small business, for men to
be getting nervous about the authorship OF
the s'Committee of Nine,'' when they did
not have the nerve to claim its paternity
when it was receiving the universal oondem-
nation of the very people who had prohted
by it. It is possible some one acquainted
with ali the facts will give the public its his
tory, and when it appears, if ever, 1t will be
learned that we are not far out Of the way.
Our old friend, Judge Stewart, who occa-
sonally lends his graceful pen to the columns
Of the Page Courier, is rather suspicious OF
what he terms the ''new departure" of the
Conservative party. as evidenced in Gov
Kemper's inaugural message, and the posi-.
ton of the Wing aud Enquirer. He con.
fesses that the 3rd resolution in the Conser-
vative platform adopted last August. was
'sbait'' to catch votes We so charged then,
but it was vociferously denied. 1t appears
now, however, that the head lights the party
are disposed to run on that line. They are
substantially coming over to our position, en-
dorsing and acceptin. Republican ideas and
policy, just as we predicted eighteen months
ago they would be compelled to do, by the
logic Of events. Let them do the clean
thing, and take the name also, and repudiate
the meaningless designation Of Conservative
it is couglomerate nothing-represents
nothing, and amounts to nothing, when boil
ed down. 1t has certainly no national sig
nifcauce, and its local application is repel-
LIANT by reason of the yildlctive aud MERGE
nary spirit that distip guishes it.
Capt. Riddleharger, the efficient reprcsen-
tative Of Shenandoah county, in the Legisla-
ture, offered resolution in that body last
week, recognizing the decease Of the Demo
cratic party, and providing for decent bu-
rial and the usual testimony of respect, by
wearing Grape for 30 days. The Captain
sros a stannch Democrat hut he has been