The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-02-18
AN ARMED PEACE.

As usual, I'll, mighty Press OF the United
States pronounced the message OF Gen. Grant,
with references to putting the country IN
state of defence. to bc a dark and sinister de-
siga to intmitlatc the South OF prepare the
a nmanition for its re-subiugation. The great
guide aud leader OF the democratic party, the
Nsw York Hsrag1, conjured up before its dis
easel i'm ,gina.iol grand intestine slaughter,
and bated forth its sincere conviction that
nothing bat Il direct impeachment Of the exc
cltive would rescue the country from the dire
and drealiul despo5ism which threatened,
while the lesser wind pipes took up the note
and proclaimed that even now this modern
Caesar WAS lriny his throne en- the ruins of
q dissolving democracy. We say as usual, BE-
cause it is an incsntestible fact that 10 docu-
ment has yet come from the White House,
since the war, without its meaning and intent
having been perverted into some stepping stone
to usurpatioI--somc insidoas assault on the lib
critics Of Il free Rapublc-:ome violation Of the
declaration which guarantees to every man
life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
And as usual, too, there was no examination
into the necessities witch roluced that mes
saye-no inquiry as to the causes that gave
birth to it. It was quite suffi ;ent that Grant
WAS its originator,anl that the Ne,o York Her.
aid had set its seal OF condemnation upon it,
to insure It's denunclation by a people waiting
for the promptings OF such infallible authority
rs the Aforesaid journal. That such prompt
ings We're the ofsprings Of gross ignorance er
q wilful misrepresentation of known facts is
proven by cursory glance at the existing
condition of European natjonaltics.
Now let us see what was the most probable
cluse of the Presidents recommendation to
provide our ports with guns OF a heavy calibre.
In the first place it is admitted that no govern
m snt cln rest on a prosperous and peaceful
foundation, unless it is prepared to meet any
assault, the aimNnd biect of which is the subver-
sion OF that paacc-force must be ready to re-
pei force AMI violence oppose violence. But
Wa are told that there is no occasion for this
array OF military force-that we are at peace
with every nation on the globe and that this
ar.niag must contemplate domestic despotism
and not foreign war; We are at peace, to be
sure but what guarantee have we that those
friendly relations will be maintained? In view
right to feel insecure in our defenceless con-
dillon.
Every Parliament in Europe is discussing
the increase Of its armament. France and
| Prussia, just emerging from a fierce and san
culinary war. have enacted laws looking to the
augmentation of their military force, and even
nQw either nation is prepared to place in the
field 40 army greater by hundreds of thousands
than the day on which Paris resonnded with
the shouts Of ''Vive Empereur,'' and Berlin
echoed back the cry, 'sWith God and King for
Fatherland.'' Russia, too, is silently, yet Wig
orous!y, arming her soldiery, and at any mo-
ment can place in. motion three millions OF
skilled troops; Austria, England and Italy are
grding their loins and Furnishing their armors
as if anticipating the near approach Of grand
and bloody conflict OF arms, while Spain is
struggling to replenish her depleted Golfers,
and once more rally her scattered columns.
In short, all Europe is closing up her serried
ranks, and stands ready for the order to
march.
Calmly considering this condition Of the
civilized world, the language Of the Prime
Minister Of England, addressed to the House Of
Commons, presents itself with telling sgniii-
canoe and force Speaking to that body with
reference to the general equipment OF its ma
lA aA;>a that ss-' II
the apparent general tranquility, aoM tie ec-
csption Of one unfortunate country (meaning
SPAIN there arr at present elements at cork
TO prepare period Of great czanges:" What
those great changes contemplated, the future
alone can tel. At present there seems to be
ITO occa sion for this universal assumption of
arms, bat TIL very fact that it does exist, must
impress upon every rejecting mind the necas-
sity Of preparing for an emergency. Whether
these preparations have been made for the
maintainance of peace o. the Inauguration of
time it bellooves that this nation be made ready
to meet the worst and not allow itself to postpone
All unpleasant dlty ultil the time for action
| comes.
We doubt not that recognition Of the re-
sponsibility imposed upon the chief officer OF
the Republic, prompted Gen. Grant to recon-
mend that our ports be put in a defensible con-
dition so that ii the tocsin OF war does sound
it will find response from the deep mouthed
artillery, whose sombre music will be one of the
most effective arbiters of Peace, and not for
the purpose as the Herald blatantly declares,
of wing the ambitious ends OF a despotic
| Caesar.