The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-12-14
TIE Policy and Duty Of the South.


No astute subterfuges, OR ingenious tricks OF
the professional politician who leads the
Democratic party. or any Of his pliabie Eat |
elites will avail to defeat this result. All the |
corrupt appliances heretofore employed to |
encompass the success OF Mr. I'ilden have |
failed. The brutal and iicndisli policy adop-
ted to secure ''solid SOUTH the well cstab- |
lishcd efforts to bribc electors in at least two !
Of the Southern States; the open and unds- |
guised attempt TO steal a vote from Oregon, !
and the quibblcs aud desperate resorts in
Vermont and Nebraska to gain the solitary
nuneral essentia! to success, having all been
defeated, common sense and common pru-
dencc would suggest that no further deTiccs
be interposed TO the final act Of the inaugu-
ration OF the President elect. 1t is an event
that will transpire as certain as the 9Th OF
March arrives and Governor Hayes lives.
The constitution aud the laws and those who
are sworn 10 execute them. are pledged to
this. The loyal hearts OF the Cnion will tie
mand it, and al! the squlrming and twisting,
threats and comtortions of the leaders OF the
Democratic party to supcriniuee a contrary
result, will amount to nothing.
With this premise conceded, As it must
sooner or later be, what is the policy OF the
more considerable and conservative element
! of the Democratic party of the Southern
States: 1t is plainly candid acqniescehce
| in the result, and cooperation in the effort
| to bring Southern Interests as directly nhder
| the recognition OF the new administration as
possible. We have the pledge OF Gov. Hayes.
| as declared in his letter of acceptance, the
sentiment OF which he has re-ailirncd on fire.
auent occasions since it was written, that
| his policy would be generous and directed to
the political pacilication and material ad-
/ vanccmenl OF the Southern States. He says:
| 1.-THE condition OF the Southern States at
tracts the attention and commands the sy m
pathy OF the entire Union. The moral and
material prosperity OF he Southern States
can be most eflectually advanced b. n hearty
and generous recognition of the rights OF all
bv abby a recognition without reserve or
exception. With such a recognition fully &c
corded, il will be practicable to promote by
the influence OF all egitimateagcncics OF the
general Goycrnmen. the efforts Of the peo-
pie OF those States TO obtain for themselves
the blessings OF honest and capable local
government u elected. shall consider 1t
not only my duty, bit 1t shall be my ardent
desire to labor for the attainment OF that end.
Let me assure my collntrymen Of the South
States, that il shall he charged with the
duty of organizing an administration, it will
be one which will regard and cherish their
, truest interests. the interests OF the white
aud of the colored people, both and equally.
and which will put forth its best efforts in
behalf of 3 civil policy which will wipe out
all distinctions between North and South In
our common country.
Here are declarations, which, il received
by the Southern people in the spirit In which
thew were written, would lay broad and
deep tine foundation of lasting peace and
prosperity They address themselves to the
. conscience. the Judgment and the materia
interests Of the South. We have had 4 sad
experience in this connection with the Dem
ocratic party North. We all know thetl
| promises and their treacilery in 1861. They
then Used the South to accomplish their own
mercenary ends. They failed. They, in
this canvass, have again dcuted the South
ern peoDle. lead on By designing and ambi
tlo,,s men Of our own section, into 4 desper
ate antagonism to the national government
r They have again failed. At this importan
, iuncture, the President elect OF the party tt
1 I'm nf
were seduced or cajoled into opposing comes
| forward with tile offer OF the olive branch
. the assurance that he shall feel it to be hi
duty. as it will BE- his earnest desire, to inau
: gurate his administration with the full recog
| milton Of the claims and the interests OF thu
Southern people. Let him be met in thu
!. | same rational spirit. Let the Southern pco
pie consider the fatal policy of rejecting thi
| friendly overture. Let them remember tn,
receptions that have been praeticed upoI
:, them by the political dnnlagogues OF theil
), own section--hoW the democratic leader
have sought to drive them into extreme view
:, and positions, not that the people might b.
benefited, but the scheming demagogue
!, might be elevated to power, il it had to b.
. done upon the ruins Of the constituent e!c
ments. \ wise, practical duty that now ap
:, peals to the great mass OF the Southern PEG
- pie is to recognize the absolute necessity O
cooperation with the national admnistra
tonic accept the overturcs ofthe incomin:
President, and bury forever the prejudice
q that the designing politicians have excited
: and proclaim themselves frecmen in the tru'
n sense of the term, ready and willing to lent
r. their aid in institUting a healthy, peaceful
q condition OF affairs in their own section. an,
o direct their endeayors to carrying out TIN
q Just and generous sentiments proclaimed b.
d Gov. Hayes.
O We honestly believe that it will be to tin
n interest of all the people OF the Southern
Il States that there should be an earnest. can
l. did and unreserved cooperation with the in
j. coming administrations practical, plain
!. unquestionea acceptance of the situation, il
:. word and act. They have been aEtagonizin:
" the national sentiment OF the country 70
@ eight gears, and what have they gained
a Had the advice OF Lolgstrect and Orr beer
&c taken when the amendments to the consti
q tation were adopted, unexampled pros2crit.
Is would now be the condition Of the Southern
4 States. peace and harmony preside wher
y contention and strife prevail, and all tn
. great interests OF the wonderful section II
q. which we live rapidly developed under thu
T. stimulant of new enterprise and capital.
q Surely we have nothing to lose by trying
!. q different policy. Let the people repudiat
h the miserable trading politicians. consul
- their own interests, and give an earnest sup
port to The administration OF Gov. Hayes
The South is our native land. We were bori
;, and raised on Virginia soil. Every emotio!
4 of our nature is responsive to her welfare
We have believed, and we now believe, tina
a the policy we have advocated and now com
q mend is the very best for orr people. witt
!. prejudice in allegiance they will think so too
a and this would have long since been the con