The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-11-18

The Vindicatsr's homily OF. the obligations
due 70 the CAUCUS, and the line OF duty to DC
followed by the members Of the Conservative
party. is simply absurd. According to the code
OF morals it lays down, conscience, a sincere
conviction of duty to the State, sclf-respcct.
and all the higher attributes Of true manhood,
must be subordinatcd to the dctum Of the
Caucus.
When men identify themselves with party,
the primary consideration should be the public
good. Conventions are held ostensibly for the
purpose Of preserving party organization, IS
the surest means of accomplishing tlis good
simcd at. II they are perverted from tlfst
purpose, and subor. linatcd to selfish ends, they
should be repudiated. and no honorable man
who properly appreciates his citizenship, will
he state to '.bolt" them, whenever that is the
Use. The Tiindicator, from the premise it as.
sunes, aud the argument it constructs, Would
place party above conscience, moral conviction
and public duty. It would make party immac-
ula.e, an party conventions the highest type
OF moral and even religious sanction, We
SC ,ut the whole theory, as we'll as practice, and
b. icvc the people Of Augusta county will agree
with us. Parties are corrupt themselves, the
m .clinery that controls them is corrupt, and
the nearer they arrive at the point where a
mars sense Of right to the public is denied, the
more .sternly they should be rebuked and rcpa-
dated. This thing Of preaching up the obser-
vance OF caucus lespotism as Il moral principle,
the failure to respect which is to be proneuIl-
ced disgrace" is Il gross immortality itself.
and in conflict with All elevated sense Of the
duties and obligations OF citizenship. When
everything, affecting the great interests Of the
State, is done in the name Of party, the public
interests have to suffer, the people have to
sroan. e-..:&& z
Look at Virginia as she now stands, and
where the miserable tyranny of the caucus has
. brought here Here we witness, in its
full meaning, the effect Of the caucus system,
which Is held up to lis as high code Of honor
| and morality. We honor the man who has che
moral courage to spurn and spit upon the eau
Gus when he believes its action is wrong audir
conflict with the interests Of the public. III
who will not compromise his sense OF duty tt
community to obey the liehests Of party, bu
dares to confront the fierce tyranny of the eau
Gus, deserves and will receive the respect ant
! confidence of all independent thinking men.
, The time has gone by, in this part Of Virgin
4 ia, at least, when the caucus is to be regarded
as the sum Of all PROJECTIONS. It must show, BY
its works, that it is striving for the public good
and not to crafty selfish ends and ambitions
/. to receive the endorsement OF those who art
v actuated by high consideration public policy
n This is the most encouraging symptom tina
: has exhibited itself for many years, and will
date. the regeneration Of the Common
+ wealth, il cultivated and adhered to.
al Freedom Of thought, freedom Of speech, ant
# freedom of action, in defiance of the petty ty
Il ranny of the party caucus, and in adherence Il
r an enlightened regard for the public interest
n constitute the rule that should govern all goo
d citizens, whether Republican or Conservative
4 in party alliliaton, and when this is the case
IS we may contidentially expect our best men t.
n be entrusted with places of responsibility AM
Il honor, and wise and benefccnt legislation t
follow. ,...d