The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-08-19
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perlal natural capacities as Virginia and Mis-
souri,, and no two States of the thirty seven,
are to day more Frustrated in their material
relations and have presented more gloomy
future. Before the war, and for the first two
years succeeding the war, the tide OF immigra-
ton into Missouri gave promise that it would
soon march to the front of its sister States in
population and wealth and become the most
prosperous State in the Union. So long as the
trolled the interest of that commonwealtl,p pop
ulation and capital flowed to it in unbroken
volume, and gave an impetus to trade in all the
pursuits of life that was truly marvellous.
This condition Of things implied, aye. neces-
STATED, however, the Bourbon element of the
cid democratic party to absent itself from
the State councils and participation in the for
ing their former imperial sway and stung at
the realization that other and younger and
more progressive men had advanced to power,
they determined to regain their lost ascenden-
dency and again assert their authority. Byap-
pealing to the sectional feeling OF the people,
and inaugurating reign of terror in every
political contest, they finally succeeded in ac-
complshing their object in getting control of
the State, and from that time forward retro
grade tendency was manifested, the tide of
emigration flowed on and passed her, to Kansas
and Nebraska, and the western Territories. and
left the splendid commonwealth OF Missouri to
suffer and decay under the ma!ign influence CT
sectional partizan bigotry and persecution for
opinions sake. In her stagnated commerce,
her departing population, her financial oppres-
sion, she stands a monument of the fatal folly
OF entrusting her destinies into the hands OF
the Democratic reactionists and obstruction
lists.
How is it with Virginia? After the close OF
the war, and the formal and solemn announce
ment at the ballot box that the people had de-
termined in good faith to ''accept the situa-
tion,' abide the results of the war, and enter
upon a career of progress under the stimulus
of the liberal ideas -comprehended in these dec
larations-had ratified by two hundred thous-
and majority the 18th, 18th and 18th amend
ments to the National Constitution, in adopt
ing the present State constitution-had discar-
led the old Bourbon notions OF the extreme
politicians, and united in the organization of
the ''True Republican Party"-declaring their
adhesion to the national government and their
purpose to throw the State in harmony with
the progressive spirit of the age-when these
promises were freely and unreseryedly given
population poured into our borders. Richmond,
Norfolk, Petersburg, Portsmouth, felt the
magic power of Northern capital, their desola-
ted districts were embellished by imposing
structures, large business houses were estab-
1lslled,and an era of prosperity was inaugurated
never before known to those sections. Every
portion of the commonwealth, too, felt the re-
viving effect. Population and enterprise, i'll
vited here under such auspices, promised thai
the New Virginia would soon march in advance
of the Old Virginia, and emancipated from the
domination of the old political barnacles, &C
forward i'm material development commensu-
rate with her boundless resources. Our own
beautiful Valley, rich in the gifts of nature, at
tracted by her varied affiuences and beautiful
and picturesque scenery, witnessed upon ever,
stage coach that rolled its wheels along its pub
iic highways, wealth and population seeking
Investment were in demand at high pri
ces-oar minerals were sought-our water
power purchased. and every thing seemed tt
indicate that future of unparalleled prosper
,ity awaited lis.
But soon che evil days come upon us. The
old retired politicians, the partizan marplots
who had been showed out of the way by thi:
healthy, live spirit OF progress, or been made t.
yield to its influence, began to come to the
front to infame the passions of the war; ex
scite sectional feeling and hatred, and by ap
). pealing to the lowest prejudices of our nature
and inaugurating system of persecution ant
prescription, finally succeeded in lesumins
control OF the State, and from that day to this
the tide OF prosperity has rcceded, until nov
universal prostration is our Inheritance. Many
of those who had been lured here by cur sol
emn promises and the munifcent endowment
OF nature, have turned their backs upon us an(
the intolerant partizan spirit that they had IL
encounter, and have sought other localities
not near SO inviting intrinsically, but wher'
they can enjoy unmolested their opinions upor
public questions and public policy without be
ing stigmatizcd as ''carpet- baggers'' and lie
8 grophilists and prescribed as unworthy of so
cial recognition.
In their insane zeal for the attainment o.
party ends and the consummation of selfisf
schemes, the political demagogues have los
sight Of the interests of the people and the
progress of the State, and have sacrificed ever
Z. ything to the accomplishment of party asccn
dency. They have gained their point in this
respect, but at what terrible cost to the I'M
suspecting masses! And how have they used
the power thus achieved Where are the assets
OF the State. left us at the close Of the war p
i Where are the revenues of the State drawn
from the scanty pockets of the people? Where
is the credit Of tile State, which they promised
to preserves? All gone, and nothing to show
for them.
Let the people calmly reflect over the pic
.ture we have drawn, and ask themselves al
their fircsides if this is not sadly true. When
they have satisfied themselves upon this point,
let them inquire into the benefits that have
been meeted out to them, for following the
lead Of the miserable demagogues, who shrink
from the fair discussion of every public ques-
ton, and have but one argument to urge when
asking for popular endorsement, and that is
'sniggcr Niger -
The people cannot much longer close their
eyes to the receptions, cruel and ruinous, that
have been practiced upon them. They must