The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-02-10
Washington Editorial Notes.

tiie National ConVcnElOrI, the next thing Ill
order is the consideration of the claims, or
rather pretensions, of the various aspirants-
The friends of each are, of course, active. The
Inquiry is constantly thrust if the ears as to
how this particular man stands, and that, and
that. Imagination, too, is active in fashionIng
the votes Of the various states in the National
Convention, and unless figures OH such q
ground work, are untrue, already the nomina
tfoh is settled. Brr, there f. much room for
speculation in regard to that result. The Re-
publican party presents many men either one
OF whom would receive the cordial support of
| the constituent body, were he presented by
the National Convention. The brilliant array
OF statesmen who adorn its history and shed
lustre upon our institutions, compare favorahly
with the great men who have passed
from the scenes of action, and left the impress
OF their genius and patriotism upon the legis-
lation OF the country. In these we have the
assurance that nomination will be made that
| will inspire the ardor and confidence Of the
| people, and place beyond question the result
| Of the contest upon which we are now about
entering. Fish. cenkling. Morton, Blaine,
| Brstow, Jewell, Hayes, and the present incum-
| cent of the Executive chair, wild have their
warm supporters, who will doubtless use every
honest endeayor to secure the nomination of
their favorite. But when the choice shall have
been made. all will unite as earnestly in the
advocacy Of the standard bearer as it he had
been the one particular person they preferred.
The success of the party is the paramount con-
sideration, for it involves interests so aon1en-
tous that all others will instletively be regard
ed as secondary.
The Republicans from every section Of the I'm
ion are confident. The party was never more
Thoroughly united-never more determined
The canvass for the nomination WILL for this
reason, be active and ani mated but when the
i Convention has presented its work, personal
likes will pass out OF sight, for the time being,
and there will be but one common ambition
stimulating aud controlling the entire organi-
cation, and that-success--lct the nominee be
whom he may.
The Democrats are at sea about everything.
They are united Oh no one measure, nor have
they any defined policy. On the currency
question, there have been from democratic
sources. half dozen different propositions, look
ing to the repeal or modification of the definite
and substantial action OF the last Congress i'm
reference to resumption Of specie payEcnts.-
The Banking and Currency Committee of the
House have finally agreed, it as said ito report
ia favor OF repeal, but in WHIST form or with
what notifications lis Not known. 1t is a dy-
mauite question. and will explode the party
whatever the method of procedure in refer
cnce to it. The unframed statesmen from the
West and South, now for the first time airing
/ their greatness upon Il national theatre, will
not play secont fiddle to the pretensioas of
eastern 'sbondholderz,7 and rather than sacri-
flee their popularity at home will disregard all
appeals for harmony and concert. They re-
gard success in the national contest as hope
less, and will trim their sails with reference to
the next congressional election. With them,
allegiance is FIRST due to self, for they honestly
believe, by a little schooling, they will con-
4 vince their constituents, that the salvation of
the country will much depend upon their
| rctIra.
They are equally divided OIL the subject of
National aid to works of internal improvement.
1t will be remembered that early in the session,
Mr. Holman, Il straiglt-laced hoosier democrat,
offered IL resolution committing tl,s Congress
against subsidies of any and all kinds, which
passed by a large majority, on a yea and nay
vote. This was the first record of retrench-
ment and reform. But we find that it was
only promise to the car to b. broken to the
hope. A prominent democratic member re-
marked the other day. that Holman's resolu-
tion was all buncombe-thcre was no sincerity
( ia it-and that one-llalf the votes cast for it,
will he recorded tor the largest subsidies pre-
sented, before the session is over. He was
| right in his conjecture il we are to judge from
| the FIRST developments. Holman was striking
particularly at the Texas Pacific Railroad, and
felt much gratifed at the action OIL his scsolu-
| ton. But What must have been his surprise
when he learned that the Committee which
has that matter in charge, with Mr.. Lamar as
Chairman, has determined to report bill in
| favor of government endorsement Of its bonds,
pretty much as Tem Scott asks, and the i'm
preston in intelligent quarters is that it will
pass. The VIRGINIAN has always favored
this measure, not only as matter of great
national merit, but one of sectional Justice. af-
fording channel of communication between
the Pacific slope and the Southern States, and
tending to develop Southern resources and in
dustries. 1t would be but equalizing favors,
and develop and strengthen the great arteries
OF commerce which constitute the strongest lig-
amcnts of our international unity.
Then, ia which We are more directly intcres-
ted, VIC have small subsidy for Col. Borst's
road-thc Narrow Guagc-whicIl is known by
the imposing title of the Washington, Cincin-
natl and st. Louis Narrow Guage This bill
will also be reported on fayorably. 1t is under
the immediate patronage OF Hon. John Z. Har-
ris, sad with his provcrbial tact and INDUSTRY,
ne Is bringing out its many advantages and
merits. So that it will be considered among
the most reasonable and plausible. 1t is hardly
supposed that so practical man as Harris is
known to be will sacrifice the interests of his
constituents TO Mr.. Holman's sentimentallsm,
Then Harris sees very plainly-although he
does not acknowledge it-that his party. as a
national organization. has but a slim show for
success in the Presidential contest, and that
tho fret fl,,fy Of,