The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-03-08
A New Era.

pfs ao'.' lsy. the 9TH of March, 1877, Ruth
FiaEa u. ,Hayes formally assumed the duties
nj feSl disabilities OF Chief Magistrate OF
tie Am esican Republic. The circumstances
hffee aiding the event conspire to impress
oven an duty a. to the obligations imposed
sna 10 be discharged, aud to call for the ex
er iss If The highest attributes OF statesman
: alp The extraordinary agency Invoked 20
Reterti!sle the legal and constitutional right
81 the exalted. position, and the patriotic
eti,seasors OF representative mcn Of both the
greet pelltica, parties OF the country to avert
tbs consequences of a conflict Of canstruc-
ton o! The fun lamfnt;l Law, in reference to
the electoral count. give evidence that the
appeal to peaceful instrumcntallties in mat
tors threatening the integrity of the govern
.mcnt, will meet With hearty response from
ilie great mass OF the constituent element,
ssand consumn.ate the object desired.
The part taken by prominent representa-
..res OF Southern sentiment in carr. ing ont
the p4,rpose oi the iaw creating the Electoral
Commissions and Ia interposlnssyteir :niiu-
e.iee In the interest oi peace and order. that
The work Of the Commission might he COM
i,letcsl, was a tangible overture to the ineom-
ing administrations. based upon the highest
consideration Of patriotism. and for that rea-
son demanding respectful and courteous re.
cogniilon. 1t Was country above party, and
~. aslestaflou that in ,;ie supreme trial. When
~. ~ ~,
law we're lnvalycl. Southern statesmen could
rise to The level If tle OCCASION and show
themselves worthy Of The confidence of the
entire country.
Assuming the dutis.s uS Prcsiic,,r OF ali
the people. under the circumstances attend
ing the t.eelarAtr>; of the result Of he cleo
tsral count. 1t was conspicnoti-ly appropriate
that President Hayes Sherlts have responded
10 the manifested Justice Of Sen.hern repre-
sentatlyrs ny the declaration of purpose 20
10 shape his administration as to inspire tliei,
respect and confidence. AM! tender them his
en- operation in rrstorin. peace. order AMI
prosperity to the section they represent.
The time and thu. surroundings, indeed,
seem to be arspicious ior the Inauguration
Of an administrative policy that will blot ont
parrish sectional and race lines, aid Unite
the energies Of tho conservative elements Of
both Of the great imiit'cal organizations. in
the furtherance OF the common interests OF
RE whole country.
We have heretofore inaiataiiipd that the
election OF Mr.. Hayes would mean peace and
progress for the Sont!,. a. we'll rs the North
that he would have it In his power 10 &c.
cnmpslsh lc0rc For the soutilern people than
it was possible to be attained under q parti-
zsn democratic administration. and that il
the -esnis pf the election should be his cieya-
lion to the Presidency, q rev era would date
fer The Interests Of tie Sont,ietn people.
The formal declarations OF the President, in
his isausnrsl address more than verify this
prediction, and give ASSURANCE that his best
enteavors will be directed to the pacifcatlon
sad prosperity Of the States, which have
been so sadly torn by dissension and political
antipsthies.
No Southern, man can feel otherwise than
glow af satisfaction that the formal utter
as,ees OF the President have been of such
elevated atsd pacific tore. bread ald national
in their spirit, and spSlnsing from q sense Of
the obligations that press upon him Us the
ruler of all the ileopie-Nortt, South, East
and west-allke. 1t is simply obedience to
law that is asked from the people, aud the
promise Of the impartial enforcement. Of law,
Oh the part OF the President. Herein con-
s.sts the central thought and ani,ns!s, that
Will restore quiet, harmony and prosperity
throughout the land. The first official tsecla.
lations Of President Hayes amply vindjcate
those native 10 the South who advocated his
election, and who have firmly nat the storm
OF abuse and eiennnciation that spsa.is from
the heat and passion of the great contest
Just passed.
The time has cone wherein 10 forget the
fierce encounters that have been endured,
aud tie harsh feeling melted. and for all
who really desire to realize an era OF peace
anaharnony, 50 essential to material growth.
to unite their efforts with those OF the new
administration in hni!siins up our waste
places. healing the wounds OF war, and
spreading the blessings Of peace and good
government.