The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-06-08
Anything to Beat Grant. "

Anything to Beat Grant"
The Democratic State Convention which met |
in Richmond Oh the Both ult., had brief and
harmonious session. An imperfect synopsis of
the proceedings will be found on our first
page.
The speeches made were of the usual bonn
bastic and sanguine kind. A solemn respon-
sibility surely rests upon the Democratic party
of Virginia, according to the presumption of
the Convention. The duty of directing the
entire campaign, both in Its institution and
progress, will depend upon the wisdom of Vir-
ginia modern craftsmanship. Kenper, Goode,
Walker, &C., declared they were equal to it,
and could and would run her through.
1t is difficult to hammer any ordinary sense
into the head of Virginia Bourbon, however.
The lesson of 1872 it would seem has had no
,alutary effect. 1t is now as then, anything
to beat Grant," without the courage or manli-
ness to declare their principles or indicate their
duty to government and the people. 1t is true
Gov. Kemper, in speech before the Conven-
ton, planted himself square upon the Rcpubl
can platform-dcclared i'll favor of the recon-
struction measures, and the enforcement of the
amendments to the Constitution and the laws.
He said this probably for effect and to be con-
sistent with the arrangement several years ago
when he visited Washington, and sought an
interview of President Grant. Mayor Kelley
did not precisely agree with the Governor
He suggested an entirely different line of
thought, He gave the Dispatch thrust, when
he upbra:ded those who were disposed to speak
harshly of the Democracy Of Ohio. He re-
membered them affectionately, for they gave
Vallandingham $4,000 votes for Governor,
wien he was running on the secession idea.-
This was the source of Mr.. keiley's admiration
for the Buckeye democrat, and this was the
thought that controlled in the gentleman
view. Tie reverse was the case with the Gov
ernor.
Mayor Kelley also introduced several rcsolu-
tons in reference to finance, but they were
sumnarily laid on the table. No formal dec
laratien of principals or policy was admissible
No platform was adopted, and rot one sen
tence anrounced that could be construed as
tlilCSlAhS au OtFtlstou upOil uuCSAsVA all GU
ing government policy.
OF course it will not be difficult for the Dem.
eciatic stump-speakers to find an argument tc
address to the prejudces OF the people during
the campaign. The ''nigger" is the never
failing source of agitation in the South. and
when all others fail, that remains. 1t is not
necessary, so long as the preju'lices of the PEG
pie control their Judgment, and those prejudi
ces can be excited, to have a platform. ltIs
votes that are wanted, and they cannot be sc
effeetaally secured as by bin ding the reason
and inaam;ng passion.
1t is somex'hat significant of the poverty Of
the Democratic party in all that affects govern.
mcnt, when the leading men of that organza
tion in Virginia assembled in Convention,
are afraid to promagate any policy or an.
neunce any principle affecting the administra,
tion OF government. 1t is the old game oil
''anything to beat Grant, desperate re.
solve of political Adventures, to- seek power,
regardless of the methods by which it is to be
attained. And yet this is the party, ard these
the meh, that the Richmond Dispatch would
have control the National Democratic Conven
ton una meets III 81. Louis on tile ZItll HIST
The want of harmony in the Democratic
patty in Congress on the finance question
the utter absence OF any defined policy upoi
any material principle connected with the pub
lie interest, constitute sufficient excuse for the
coward:y action Of the Virginia Democracy
The deceptive cry of s'Retrcnchment and Re
form'-whicli means anything Or nothing
with party that is afraid to- declare its con
victions upon essential ideas of government
are to be the watch words in the coming cam
paign. by which to tlclutle and scduce the
Masses AS it so effectively failed in 1879, we
may reasonably anticipate Il much more dsas
trous result in 1876. The people cannot be
drawn off from the short comings of the prnsen,
Congress; the spirit of infidelity to national
obligations; the reckless disregard of national
honor and national character manifested, and
the sicken:ng attitude assumed in the agencies
employed in the attempt to bring discrefft up.
on some of the most prominent of the Repub-
lcan party. The Investigations instituted and
carried OH have had tie effect to strengthen
the Republican party. and in a like degree
weaken the Democratic organization, for they
have developed the animIts that influences and
the despicable means that are depended upon to
seize the reins of government. The very
thought of entrustng the affairs of this great
nation into the hands of a party that is con-
trolled by no higher sense of public duty, is
revolving to the common sense and common
honesty of the masses, and will meet that re-
Duke which yindicatiOn of the character of
American government and American institu-
tons demands.