The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-03-15

puDllcan.)
In the 44th Congress the delegation stood
Democrats 9, Republicans 1. The inlica-
tons now are that the delegation will be
solid Republican in the next House.
He Who Serves his Country Best Serves
his Party Best
The confirmation by the Senate OF the cab
met nominations made by President Hayes,
fairly inaugurates his administration. He
enters upon his duties in the spirit, and lit,
orally following the letter of the principles
promulgated by the Convention that nomin
ated him, and announced in his formal ac-
ceptance of that important trust. He pre-
sents for the first time in American politics,
the attitude of public servant proclaiming
his purpose after his election to stand fast
and firm to the promises made before his
election. He applies his theory of admins
tration to the practical working of the machin-
cry of government, and gives the world to
understand that his sentences published in
the incipiency of the contest which resulted
in his election to the Presidency. were no
idle words uttered only to captivate and cap
ture votes. He has given assurance to the
country, too, that he does not intend to rely
upon machine politics and machine politi-
clans for his support. His terse and preg-
nant expression that ''He who serves his
country best serves his party best," is direct
appeal to the honest sentiment of the people
in whose into rest government should be op-
Grated. He recognizes the important truth
that the people constitute the nation and not
exclusively the politicians, and that there is a
higher and more sacred obligation than to
mould his views and policy in conformity to
caucus edicts
Never in the history of this nor any other
country, has an appeal to the justice and
honesty OF the people met with such spon-
taneous and universe lily hearty response
In lifting himself above party, and declar-
Ing for country, in the splendid sentences OF
his inaugural, he touched chord of human
motive and action that vibrated the nation,
and as il by magic silenced the fierce pas
sons of sectional strife and rancour into a
repose attuned to the peace and happiness Of
all the people. 1t was a master stroke OF
policy, reaching to the springs of mans sense
of justice, his love of country, and bringing
into active exc rcise his conviction of the du
ties OF American citizenship, by allaying pas
sion and emancipiting reason from the dire
fnl influence of prejudice.
The announcement by President Hayes OF
the principles that should govern his admins
tration in his inaugural address, emphasized
by the character of the constitutional advisers
selected, stunned the political leaders of both
parties, and in their bewilderment they did
not, for while, know precisely which way
to turn or how 20 shape their action. The con.
seriousness OF the American people, however,
aad been touched, and as the voice of ap-
/proval came swelling, in increased volume,
from every section OF the country, the hon
est yearnings of the nation for peace and
quiet and fraternity, showed how little the
people understood their inner selves and how
far removed they were from the scheming
intrfeues of designing demagogucs.
No more opportune occasion could have
been selected by the President, than at the
threshold of his administration, for the de-
claration of the catholic purposes that had
engaged his study. The people had become
weary and worn with political elimination
and recrinination. Citizens of the same com
munity, with substantial interests identical,
linked to the same destiny, and ambitious of
the same practical result differed widely in
their methods of thought and conclusions,
and in the heat Of p.rtizan strife became the
victims of unreasoning passion in the pre-
sentation of their views. With feeling aroused
and resentment infamed, they were incapable
of reasoning dispassionately, and worn out
with excitement, they were in frame OF
mind to receive any suggestion which promis-
ed line of policy that would accomplish a
common object by the combined endeavors of
the partizans of originally antagonizing theo-
ries. Happily for the country the President
had seriously and carefully studied the stu
alton. The pressing responsibilities OF his
high office were weighed impartially, and
with conviction reached, lie boldly an
nounced his conclusions and the agencies to
be employed to encompass that which the
people desired, but which partizan prejudice
had interviewed to obscure and defeat. 1t is
what the people yearned for, but did not I'M
stierstand how to grasp-the combined efforts
OF all good citizens to bring about the recon-
Citation aad determination of the antagoniz-
ing sections upon the basis of the laws, recog-
MIXING and protecting the rights of all.
The fact is, all the people wanted was the
way pointed out. Each recognized the ne
eessity of peace and quiet but each was
stimulated to the belief that his policy was
the only rational and practicable way, and in
to preconceived notions, by both,
was brought about conflict. excitement and
substantial insanity, until reason went glim-
mering, and passion was left to riot upon
the misfortunes Of a common country.
II President Hayesis sustained by the peo-
pie in his wise, stateslnaOlil1e, impartial pol
cy as mapped out; if those who opposed his
election because they honestly thought the
success of Mr.. ridden would be better for the
,oIntry, and those who supported him Tor the
'easaa that they had faith I'm the man and the |
party he represented, can be brought togeth-
.r in common effort for the good of the con-
tituent element OF botll parties, and equal !
y. then, indeed, will the time have arrived |
Vilen we can date new and more glorious
RI than has ever marked the progress of
his or aTy other nation.
And why cannot this be the case? What
ave the people gained by the bitter parti-
an strife to which they have been slaves for
he past decade9 Nothing. And what have
hey lost by their constant irritation, denun-
iation and embttered feeling? They have
riven away immigration, directed the mind
way from healthful and useful employment,
hanged neighbors, paralyzed industry and
'Gaeht innumerable woes upon the eoun-
y. The opportunity is presented to cor
ct 'tE'ese wrongs. The invitation is extend i
for abb who are really DESTROYS of seeing
South progress under the laws as they are a
u the C ton finn al If ic t un;to tI,o; h