The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-09-07
IDEAS and Attitude. !.


cratic party for Congress, stated that il the
warfare had been urged against him by his
political opponents itwould simply have been
q collision Of IDEAS and that Success or dcfea at
would have indicated the predcmiEance in the
popular mind OF those ideas. AS il was, it
was n mere personal ASSAULT, upon himself, laf-
fectlns not only his own character bat-th of
his family, and of corlFso The vindication was
appreciated in proportion % the Interests in
volvcd.
1t was very proper that Judge Harris should
draw this distinction, and eminently appro-
pirate that he should express his gratitude for
the handsome verdict rendered in the premises.
But did Judge Earris properly understand the
assertion that the contening parties repre-
scented contcnding ideas ? And ifsnch be the
fact, what are the ideas in conflict?
The Democratic party aud. Judge Harris re-
present an attitude rather, than an adea-an
attitude thai cohfronts ideas they assume to
accept, but which are practically antagonizel
iE the history of the Democratic party past
and present. ~
The Republican party represents the con-
science Of the nation-the Democratic party.
the aggregated prejudice OF the nation. The
one stands out as the embodiment of CONNECTION
as to great organic truths the other is the
reckless disturber OF pnblic tranquility in an.
tagonizing those truths. The Republican par
ty proclaims the ideas OF nationality in our
system OF government, Of manhood equality
before the law, inviolate public faith in our
monetary relationship sacrcdness OF funj,a-
mental and statute law. The Democratic
party processes to accept OF acquicsce in these
conclusions, yet antagonizcs the party that
proclams them as its trophies, and adopts
them rs irreversiblc. Ii Judge Harris and the
party he represents accept the ideas here
named and do so from conviction, and not
mere lip service, what arguments can they
present il opposition to the Republican party,
which are not directed against the ideas them
selves?
The Democratic party nor Judge Harris re-
presents an idsa-they simply assume an atti-
tude Of opposition to ideas. While protesting
to accept the achievements Of the Republican
party, they oppose the party because Of those
achievements, and resort to no other agency
to win the confidence OF the people than APP,
peals to prejudice, arousny sectional feeling
and thus binding the judgment.
And what does this attitude of opposition
mean? The logic of it is, that the Democratic
party rejects the ilea of nationality, and sup
ports the doctrine Of State sovereignty-re
ducing the issue of 1S60-6l-rejec is the 18th,
18th and 18th amendments to the Constitu-
ton and asks for the reversal Of the results of
the war-confronts the financial policy that
recognizes the obligations OF the government,
its duty to meet its liabilities on the terms.
they were contracted, and opposes the policy
of returning to 4 normal standard OF values,
corresponding with the interests of the people,
in condition OF peace.
The policies growing out OF the relations Of
the two parties arc as divergent as their atti-
tudes. That OF the Republican directs to the
settlement of all the conflicting ques tons
growing out of the revolution through which
the country has passed-fiNes Il safe, solid
basis for the adjustment OF differences and
gives ASSURANCE Of substantial ana permanent
quiet to all the great interests OF the people.
reverse. 1t proposes to unsctte evarything-
to throw the county out upon y. sea OF uncer
taintics, disturb the basis Of values, jeopardize
the guaranteed rights Of citizens, rc-inllame
the passions OF the wal, and inaugursltc an era
OF discord, doubt, conflict and distrllst, that
would shake not only individual, but national
confidence and credit. and flood upon the peo-
pie tide OF disaster without a parallel in the!
annals OF the country.
The ideas OF the Republican party constitute
the organic law OF the country. They are the
price Of the nations travail. They reflect the
conscience and the moral conviction Of the ma
ton. They are the trophies of q conflict that
and mark the progressive thought. the advan
cling civilization OF the American people
Their logic cannot be met, their results cannot
be arrested, except through revolution, STEM
ming the tide of human progress and desoating
the land with blood and carnage. With these
great fundamental IDEAS embodying the con-
science and the moral conviction Ct the nation,
appealing to the higher emotions OF the people,
and working with all unseen yet irresistible
power upon the hearts OF men, moulding their
actions and opinions. the Republican Party
awaits with the most implicit confidence the
verdict of popular judgment. Its motives and
purposes, are so far above the base appeals
and seditious sentiments Of the Democratic
party, that it would be an insult 20 the intelli-
gence and conscience of the nation to doubt
for an instant the result Of the contest now
submitted to popular arbitrament.
The democratic Congressional Convention,
as a body OF Tlldcn reformers. was expressive
and significant. One delegate charged Harris
with having attempted to bride him with the
offer of Office; another that he had pocketed
the salary grab another that his mental and
moral make up was below his standard and he
couldn't support him. Yet Harris was nomi-
mated under the cry of "Tilden, Hendricks
and Reform and will be earnestly supported
by the reform Democracy OF this Congressional
District.
SPECIMEN REFORMERs. WI ile the primary
election was progressing in Beverly Manor,
week before last, for delegates to the Congress
sional Convention, one of the Harris candi-
dates said his opponents had stolen fifteen of
his votes, by the means of whiskey. But, he
added, got six or eight Of them back. These