The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-08-03
The True Policy of Old Southern Wings
and Democrats

The True Policy Of Old Southern Wings
and Democrats.
We have no disposition to enter into an ella
borate discussion with the Rockingham Regis
ter as to the constituent clements of the
Conservative party of Virginia, the proclaimed
purpose OF its organization, and the fraud that
1t represents, but we will indulge few re-
marks pertinent to the editorial in the
last issue Of that paper arraigning the VIR-
GINIAN. The Old Line Wings and Demo
Gratis first organized under the name of ssTrue
Republicans for the avowed purpose OF sus-
tanning Gen. Grants administration. At that
time the masses Of the people were disposed to
give in their adhesion to the reversible facts
OF history and to adjust their sentiments and
opinions to the new condition of things result
ing from the war; AS s'True Republi cans
they succeeded, and the Chairman of the
Executive Committee OF the State telegraphed
cess Of his policy in Virginia." So soon, how
ever, as they felt secure i'll their power, a.
tanned by the cooperation of Republican
President and a Republican Congress, they
gradually began to throw off the obligation
they had joyfully acknowledged, until they
discarded the nomenclature by which they had
won, and assumed that of s'Consery ative.''
With increasing confidence grew increasing in
science. until to-day the spirit Of 1860, con-
trolls in the policy and the legislation of the
dominant party in Virginia. The great mass
OF the Old Line Wings, it is not presumption to
say, never anticipated that such q radical
change in the policy and purposes of the 'sTrue
Republicans" or ''Conservative'' party would
be effected, and that it would be arrayed
illogically as the South ever had been during
the food tide OF war and blood.
There were questions settled by the war.
These determinations were solemnly accepted
by the ''True Republican, party Of Virginia.
The 18th, 18th and 18th amendments to the
Constitution were recognized as fundamental
law. They were incorporated into the State
Constitution and adopted by the people under
the ''True Republican organization, without
reservation or condition. Have they been as
sincerely respected and enforced rs they were
accepted? Let the Mayors election in Rich
mond in 1869, the more recent municipal cleo
ton in Petersburg, the election Of Goode to
Congress, and the seating of Gayle from Ports
mouth as State Senator, answer that question.
Not only that, but the Constitutional amend
MEETS now proposed to be engraftcd upon the
organic law of the State directly antagonize
the spirit, if not the letter, of the National
Constitution as amended by the three articles
to which we have referred. And further, the
Committee on Constitutional Amendments re-
ported and recommended such changes in the
cardinal law of the State, which if adopted,
would erase all recognition of the war ad
justment, except the emancipation of the
slaves, and leave the question of secession, 50
far as the State Constitution is concerned,
precisely where George Mason placed it.
The point at which we are aiming is, did the
Old Line Wings contemplate such a state of
things, when they united with the "True Re
publican party, and subsequently in accepting
the change in the nominalism to that of Soon
sentative % Did they bargain for the recogni-
ton Of all the heresies of State Rights Demo
crazy, condemn their own history and tradi-
tions and announce their purpose to forget the
convictions that had lead and controlled them
in many holly contested campaign ?-Did
they intend to cast reproach upon the great
Union heart of Henry Clay, whose pulsations
warmed for a continent, and take to their
bosoms the contracted metaphysical sectional
reffnings of Jno. C. Calhoun? If you strip
the issues of to-day, as represented by Tilden
and Democracy. and Hayes and Republicansm,
OF their incidental and accidental surround
ings, clear them of the rubbish that hangs to
them-and boiled down, they embrace the
broad national sentiments of Henry Clay on the
one side and the narrow sectional ideas of
John c. Calhoun on the other-the spirit of
Whiggery and Democracy confronting each
other.
Not only this, but all old Democrats who
recognize the situation, who realize that the
peculiar doctrine of State Rights for which
they contended in the past, constituted substan-
TALLY the issue of the war, and that in the ar
bitrament to which appeal was made, the de-
cision was adverse to the practicabiity of their
ideas, can find no other association congenial
with their convictions. but the Republican
party.
Now, if the old wings Of Virginia and the
SsSS oS"eai3 t@hO OAN 0CiLOCld Co VI dliO
the South, are disposed to bury the anmosites
and acerbities Of the war, to, in truth and
deed, recognize its results, and to conform
their views and actions to the irreversible
facts OF history, why not unite in common
cause under the leadership Of Hayes and
Wheeler, and dedicate themselves aflesh to
the ''Union, the Constitution and Enforcement
of the Laws.'' The highest considerations of
national patriotism, as well as the tranquility
and progress of their section, conspire in an
appeal for such an illustration of national SYM
pathy and devotion The action would be re-
cognized all over the Union as grand in its con-
ception and eminently patriotic in its res ults,
and secure for the South that recognition, con-
fidencc and sympathy, which would heal dis
sessions, unite the sections and forever
silence the distuI bling elements that find their
source Of existence and growth in the Conser-
vative or Democratic organization as it now
exists.
II the Register will address itself to the con-
sideration of the condition of the country, the
duty of all good citizens in the light of recent
history, the fact of the frailty of humanity as
attaching to all combinations and organizations
OF men alike thu raooocized honesty ond