The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-12-23
Senator -Morton's Resolutions

The sentiment that is hcing encouraged by /
word and act on the part of the adhererts and i
supporters OF the dominant element in the
lower branch of the national legislature
aroused the thcughtful people OF the country
to the dang er that threatens. It is seen by /
shose who regar.l the possible advancement to
the control of the government of the Democrat
cy as il calamity that should excite the fears /
OF the friends of the integrity ef the nation, |
that the only hope to avert such result. Is to t
bury and forget ptss differences rs toqucstions
OF mere administrative polcy.and unite AS one
man, in preserving the Republican org,nizi-
ton Hence we notice that so close and intel
Ii GENT an Observer rs the special Washington
correspondent OF the Rctmonl Enquirer,
IL. @. W. communicates the fact that Sena-
tor Booth, of California. who was elected as
an independent has become a radical, -
and I'LL others. who had manifested dislncli-
nation to act in strict harmony with the admin
istritioD, have abandoned their ''independcnt''
tendency, and will join their efforts with the
more pronounced Republican Senators, in
giving assurance to the country that adverse
istrltion, is a different thing to acting In con-
cart with tac Democratic party. AS the popa-
lar mind is being directed to the contest OF
1876, the necessity is recognized by those who
are in position to shape the issues OF that I'M
portant campaign, of presenting solid front
ih defence of the ideas and policy which have
sgnalized the Republican party, and antago-
~, fhp rppklacS
disregard of national obligation and the con-
s,mmated events of history, which charaeteri-
zeS the record OF the opposition.
IL is useless TO attempt to conceal the fact,
that the Presidential election of the Centenni
AL will be shaped and determined by the rec
ord of national fealty of the parties to the con-
test. The efforts of the Democratic leaders to
manufacture irrelevant issues, to direct the
popular apprehension from the insidious pur-
pose: of the Democracy, by flaming out the
.sThirl Term" the s'Pope's Big Toe,'' and
questions of like inappositenesS to the controll-
ing tnol ght of the nations honor and oblisa-
lions. will fail to livcst the great contest of
1876 of its national significance. That will be
etnp!iaticallv an enga cement for the ''lifs OF
the nation,'' - preserved and perfected in the
results If tho past fifteen years. The '''Fhird
Term" spook and the Church hobgoblin will be
lost in the upsweling of the patriotic impulses
of tina people. which will lift this great ques-
ton Of national f4aity and national honor far
above the ingenious devices OF designing dem
arop.lps and ask for a verdict from the honest
judgment OF the country upon the parties as
Il ,I,t, ~ al
The Dem ocratc majority in Congress may
laden the journal with sensational resolves and
superficial expetlientS, affecting an imaginary
third term, intangible subsidies, anG preten-
tio,ls investigations. These will do to guage
the intellectual calibre ct the newly-fedged
llarlcauins, who have for the first sime, watzed
anG grog shops Of their rural homes, into the
broad light of day upon the nations theatre.
to play fantastic tricks before, and court the
admiration of, the staggering Adventures who
swarin in the galleries and lo5hies of the capt.
tai. Bat when they are brought under the
scrutiny of the intelligence and patriotism of
the country, they will be passed by as the idle
gasconade OF shallow intei1ects, or the
insdous designs of schcming demagogues,
ton whether this government. in the centenni-
al year of its existeiice, is to pass under the
control of the friends or the enemies OF the
great principle Of human rights that consti
tutes its essence and glory.
In the whole reams of resolutions that have
been flooded in upon the two houses of Con-
gress there is but one man who has caught the
great thought that will press upon the popular
mind in the coming year. senator Morton
struck the keynote that will yibra:e the heart
Of the nation, when he submitted the following
resolutions
Resolved, That the people of the United
States constitute one national unity.
Resolved, That the States are not, and never
were. sovereign and independent in Il Ma
tional sense, and are lntregral parts of one
Natirn.
Resolved, That the. Constitution is not com
pact between the States in their municipal and
corporate characters. but was formed by the
people OF the United States in their primary
capacity.
Resolved. That the rights of the States are
defined and guaranteed by the Constitution,
and can neither be diminished nor enlarged by
an amendment, thereof.
Resolved. That the rights Of the States have
the same sanction and security as the rights
and powers OF the Government of the United
States, and that local domestic government by
the States Within tile limits of the Constitu-
ton is an essential'part nj our free republican
system.
Resolved, That the doctrine that State has
the right to secede from the Union is ipconsis-
tent with the idea Of Nationality. is in eontlict
with the spirit and structure of the Gopsttu-
ton, and should be regarded as having teen
forever extinguished by the suppression OF the
rebellion.
The contest OF 1876 is here Anticipated and
sharply defined. 1t is that idea that will con-
troll the popular suffrage i'll declaring for Rres-
ident without regard to the ''unwritten law''
as to a third term. OF the frcnzied Juror about
the church Of Rome These questions may
have their influence in isolated cases and par
ticular localities, but they will be subordinate
to the paramount idea embraced in Senator
Morton's Observation-Disclosures the people OF
the United States constitute irrational unity"
or are separate sovcreigpties within State geo
graphical boundaries.
1t Is true these ideas constituted the issue In
the recent effort to subyert the nqtonal gov
eminent, and it Is also tue that the de.ermi-
nation OF that contest was in favor Of ':pation-
al unity" Many, in the South, have honestly !
0an fol ha b,ro IL, Sci, 81,