The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-07-29


Hon. A. G.. Thurman, Of Ohio is now en-
during the agones Of the ragged edge. -
There is no public man in this country who has
greater reason to feel uncomfortable, and WHO
has brought himself down from the pedestal OF
the statesman to tile slippery paths OF the ira
ding politician with such astounding rapidly.
few months ago he was regarded by al inl-
partial minds as q statesman of no ordinary
claims, maintaining with canGor and ability
the principle of public honor that should regll-
late the financial policy of the government,
and uphold its commercial standing anoug
civilized nations. BY common consent he was
looked upon as the most probable candidate of
the Democratic party fol- the Presidency, and
to all appearances he had no formidable
competitors except Gov. Hendricks OF Indiana
But the past few weeks have effected a remark
able change in the relation of Nh Thurman to
the country. His party, in State convention,
adopted a platform in which was incorporated
resolution in favor of initiating the currency
OF the country, dishonoring the obligations Of
the government, and laying the foundation for
untold disasters TO the material interests of the
people. This resolution was in direct antago-
nism to Mr.. Thurman's whole recorded belief
on this subject. The convention nominated
Gov. Allen who. Hike Mr. Thurman, had uni
formly maintained the doctrine that gold and
silver were the only safe and legitimate basis
for the credit Of the government. Mr.. Allen.
however, accepted the nomination, and has, in
prepared speech, endorsed the platform of
his party-committed himself, unrescrvedly
and completely to the imitation policy, and
Mr.. Thurman has endorsed Gov. Allen, and
will plead for his election. He assigned, as
reason for this cause, that his party has seen
proper to proclaim a policy in respect to finan-
cial matters that he does not agree with, but
that he is party man, ard regardless Of the
principles involved, affecting the most impor-
tant interests Of the country, he must act with
his party.
In the history Of public men, we have never
seen more transparent qualification, or clear
CT demonstration Of the utter absence of high
moral conviction than is illustrated in the pc
sition Of Mr.. Thurman. He has thrown away
the reputation and the ambition of lifetime
at the behest of party tiicksters and dema-
gogues, and placed himself ia an attitude to
be trusted by neither wing of his own party,
and to be dctested by the solid and indepen-
dent thinkers Of the nation. To maintain, as
he does. that the faith Of the government re-
quires that it should return to specie payment
as soon as practicable, and then supporting, as
lie is, the party of his identity in State con-
test, upon principle i'll direct antagonism to
this assumption, is one of the most melan-
choly exhibits Of political depravty, and the
corrupting influence Of party ambition that
has ever startled the country
1t is, however, of such men as Allen and
Thurman, that the opposition to the Republi-
can party is composed. They will resort to
any and every eSpedient that has promise
of deluding the people and achieving party
success, thereby defeating the Republican par
ty. 1t is not for the good Of the country-it is
from no patriotic impulse-no high sense OF
public honor, but a desperate and unprinci-
pied craving for the spoi.s of office and the
gains Of public plumber that actuates and con-
trolls.
The developments. since the Ohio campaign
commenced, lave doomed the Democratic
party in that State in the October election, and
fixed its fate in the more Important contest in
1876, when the people will be called upon to
determine as to the two policies on finance now
constituting the paramount issue between Al
len, the Democratic candidate, and Hayes,
the Republican candidate, in the State of
Ohio.