The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-02-03
Republican National Convention.

III the cchbcratiOnS OF the National COnren-
ton. The Importance Of the campaign of 1876
will not be measured and governed by scnsa-
tional newspaper paragraphs, or indammatory
appeals to the feelings and passions of the mas
ses. The confidence OF the people is looking
for something more substantial around which
to Notwithstanding that will have an ip
fuence upon the substantial interests bf the
c,untry and carry the conviction that the fu-
tur, OF the nation will be Directed by wise,
conservative statcsm1ps.,ip. u may be excu-
scd IN the heat and excitement of political dis
putation, to arouse sentimental patriotism, and
even &c so far as to drag up by their CORY
lcoks buried sectional emotions. These things
follow provocation, but both the cause and the
effect will pass from immediate consideration,
as the excess of feeling subsidies. The inner
consciousness of the American heart wants
peace-peace following a strict observance OF
laws, and dignifed respect tor the government
Of the country.
Especially, Will it be to the interests Of the
Republican party Of the Southern States, to ad-
d:ess itself to the work of presenting to the
people the obligations due from them to the
g,vernment-the necessity of accepting the
acco nplshed results of history. aud conform
ing to rational construction of what Is the
tr lie policy of the government. Mr.. Tucker,of
ir.inia, and Mr.. Hill, of Georgia. have indi
Gated to the country what the Democracy of the
South will insist upon. They are for reversing
the legislation OF the past twelve years, and
resurrecting the exploded doctrine of State
Rights presenting again the issue that was
determined by the arbitramcut of war; and
seeking its reyivification within the pale of the
Uniol. and by peaceful methods. The question
for the people now to consider is, whether
they are willing to follow the lead Of these gem
tlemen and tIiei1 party,in their crusade against
the results which we all accepted, but which
Mr.. Tucker says were rammed down our
throats by Federal bayonets. 1t is whether
there is authority in the national head to main
tain the laws throughout the country, protect
the rights of American citizenship, and sup
press instruction, wherever it may occur with
in the jurisdiction of those laws; or whether
the national government is subordinate to the
States, and the Sovereignty of the States to be
acknowledgement with it by necessary
implication, the right to secede, and re-enact
the tragedy of 1861.
1t is true, we do not expect to witness any
effort to put into practical operation, at this
time. the doctrine Mr.. Tucker breaches, nor
does he. He, and those who believe with him,
are only contendng for principle of construc-
ton for the Constitution, and theory of gov
r. tbo to is
idel to practice that consummated secession
and precipitated war. If the idea is admitted
now, and it will be if the Democratic party is
entrusted with the control Of the national gov
eminent. it will be left optional with the mar
plots who are now confronting and antago1i-
zing the very facts they have sworE to recog-
nizc, to put it into practice at more conve
nirnt season. when the chances for escape
from association with the 'sYankecs'' is more
proptious.
Such will be the vital issue of the national
| contest in this Centennial year-whether those
who subscribe to tise doctrine which disrupted
the government in 1861, are to be entrusted
with the control of the government or not
Whatever may be the disguise or the deceptive
pretense, the substantial contest will hinge
upon the idea we have presented. which will
determine whether this country is to go on
prospecting and to prosper under the power and
force of National unity, or be subject to the
throes and descriptions that would follow the
acceptance of the theory that is reflected in
ty in Congress.
We are satisfied that at least some of the
Southern States are not prepared to accept tho
doctrine Mr.. Tucker and his friends have pre-
sented. Virginia will not, certainly, if the
National Convention OF the Republican party
will nominate candidates, whose record in the
past will enable the Republican party of this
State to 60 into the contest unenlbarrassed by
extraneous issues and profitless defences. We
do not regard it as beyond reasonable proba-
bility that Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama.
Florida, South Carolina, Louisiana and Miss
issippi, will cast their electoral votes for the
Republican candidates for President and Vice
President, if broad craftsmanship shall control
in their selection. Otherwise, we may lose all
of them, and the result be left with the North
ern States to determine. with solid South in
favor of the Democratic ticket.
1t will be for the Convention to decide, in
the character OF the nominees it will present,
whether the Republican party in the South.
can hope to give them tangible aid In electoral
votes. But give us the right kind Of men to
lead lis, and the result will show that OUR cal
culation is not vain one. The masses have
an intuitive distrust of democratic leaders,
and this will be intensified by the bold procla-
nations of Tucker and Hill in their recent
speeches in Congress. In Virginia, especially,
is this the case, where popular sentiment. UNI
influenced by appeals to passions and prcjudi-
ces, is national in its tendency-law abiding,
and obigation-respecting. The people are
tired OF the rule of the dominant party in this
State 1t has falsfied all of its promises-bur-
dened the constituent body#with almost nm
b,arable taxes-piled up N insurmountable
public debt, and fastened it upon them by a
corrupt job-Iriyen away immigration by rea
son OF its sectional hates and prescriptions, and
converted one of the most affiuent and attrac-
tive portions of the continent naturally into q
condition of depression and stagnation that is
truly appalling. They are indignant at this
isolation, to crafty the ambitions of selfish