The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-07-20
Old Line Whies.


cy OF the principles they had always advocated
up to the secession of the Southern States in
1861, they would clearly perceive that the nat
ural course for them to pursue would be to
support Hayes and Wheeler. who were both
identified with the old Wing party There can
be no innate sentiment controlling them in
sympathy with the extreme views and revolu-
tionary bearing of the Democratic party as rep
resented by Tilden and Hendricks. 1t is the
influence of sectionalisin, and not that broad
national view OF government and policy that
distinguished the old Wing party, thatfiXes their
association with the present Democratic party.
Were they to divorce themselves fror1 the re-
membrance of the conflict which terminated at
Appomattox, to count us of the past the pas
sions and fierce animosities which swept over
the country during the four years of warfare
and carnage, and direct their energies and their
ambition to genuine pacification of the coun,
try, by uniting under the lead Of two old line
Wings, whose personal and public life is above
suspicion-whose record ever since the war has
given assurance of elevated patriotism and high
nization and the harmony Of the sections, they
would attain an eminencc for good that would
yield its fruits i'll the blessings of united
country, upon the basis Of equal rights and
equal laws for citizens and sections.
The times and the surroundings are suspicious
for the Inauguration of better feeling in the
Countrywide restoration CT mutual confidence
between the North and South-in the election
of Hayes and Wheeler. Their utterances since
their nomination have breathed nothing but
kindness and reconciliation. They have ap-
preached the subject not with the studied SEN
tcnccs of the scheming demagogue, calcula-
ting as to the number OF votes each expression
will influence, but from the lofty inspiration
OF patriotism, looking to the grand destiny that
| awaits an united country, with constituent
body b.avely struggling in the interest OF the
common welfare and a common future.
What higher ambition should any man aspire
to than such a consummation? 1t comprehends
the most exalted duty and mission of American
citizenship. 1t encompasses the welfare of all
| the people, now and hereafter, who may beast
the privileges and claim the protection of the
grandest system Of government that ever the
wit of man conceived.
| We believe it is in the reach of the leading
old line Wings Of the country, in this Centen-
NAL election, to shape the policy and mould the
administration OF the affairs of the nation in the
interest OF peace, harmony and good fellowship
between the sections. Let the old line Wings
OF Vrglnia-even twenty-five OF the leading
minds OF the old guard, unite in an appeal to
their old associates and political friends, to rise
above the banefnl influence of sectionaism, to
forget, in the interest Of a common country,
the animosities Of the past, and declare in ia
vor of Hayes and Wheeler. Such a course
would virtually end the Presidential contest,
and give assurance that the sectional mar-plots
and intriguers who are leading the people of the
South in the support of Tilden, are powerless
longer to direct popular sentiment. That
| is the kind of ''Reform" which our country is
| yearnirg Tor. 1t is an opportunity chat ma Y
not again be presented in a life time, and if
| the Richmond Dispatch would grasp the sug-
gestion and urge it upon such men as Alex. H.
H. Stuart, Hugh W, Shelley, Henry W. Thorn
as, johnson Barbouy, ipd other prominent mem
bers of the old Whia party, upon the basis of
the declaration of Gov. Hayes:
''There can lie no enduring peace if the con-
| stitutional rights OF any portion Of the people
are habitually disregarded. A division of po-
litical parties, resting merely upon distinctions
of race or sectional lines, is always unfortunate
and may be disastrous. The welfare of the
South, alike with every other part of the coun-
try, depends upon the attractions it can offer
to labor to immigration and to capital but
laborers will not go, and capital vii! not ven
ture, where the Constitution and laws are set
at defiance, and distraction, apprehension, and
alarm take the place of peace-loving and law
abiding social life. All parts of the Constitu-
ton are sacred, and must be sacredly observed
the parts that are new no less than the parts
that are old. The moral and material prosperity
OF the Southern States car be most effectively
advanced by a hearty ard generous recognition
Of the rights of all by all, recognition without
reserve or exception. With such a recognition
fully accorded it will be practicable to promote
by the influence of legitimate agencies of the
General Government. the effort of the DC oplc
of these States to obtain for themselves the
blessings Of honest and capable local govern-
ment. If elected, | shall consider it not only
my duty, but it will be my ardent desire to la
Dor for the attainment of this end Let me
assure my cOuntrymen OF the Southern States
thai, if | shall be charged with the duty of Or
ganizing an administration, it will be one
which will regard and cherish their truest in
terests, the interests of the white and the color
ed people, both and equally, and which will
put forth its best efforts i'll behalf of civil pol
icy which will wipe out forever the distinction
between the North and the South in our COM
mon county; with civil service organized up
OH a system which will secure purity, expert
ence, efficiency. and economy; strict regard
for the public welfare solely in appointments,
and the speedy, thorough and unsparing pros
ecution and punishment of all public officers
who betray official trasts ; with sound cur
rency; with education unsectarian, and free to
all with simplicity and frugaity in public AMI
private affairs, and with fraternal spirit per-
vading the people of all sections and classes,
we may reasonably hope that the second cen
tury OF our existence as nation will, by the
blessing of God. be pre-eminent as an era of
good feeling and Il period Of progress, prosper
ity and happiness"
With these declarations rs the basis, Il po!it-
ical millennium will have been nallgurated,
and the scheming plotters of strife and sect ion
al hate, driven from the scene of political ac-
ton.
This would bring about the recognition of
such men from the South in the administration
of government, cultivate and restore confidence
and national fealty. and enable the country to
bound forward in political power in the next