The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-02-08
STAUNTON, VIRGINIA, FEBRUARY s. 1877.

there would be but little vitality and poss
bly, less degree of responsibility in tt
ranks of Virginia's Democracy.
But possibly the funniest delusion wit
which Democracy INDUCES itself, is tina
with the exception OF Il few unimportar
"iEterregnulns, it is the author Of tn
country 'from foundation stone to apex.
This delusion oyercomes him only when Ii
has sort of asphyXia Of memory of whs
has happened in his history. We know tina
at all times it is q secret fundamental fait
with him, and before certain period in tn
country's history we are aware that he wa
very fond of spreading his broad pinions i
this realm Of fancy, but since that epoch HI
has generally contented himself with bein,
a sort of negation in the politics OF the coun
try, and we do not remember to have seer
it, IN our time, elsewhere so publicly fulmi
mated as in Virginia. It is lofty and tigura
tive, though like all his delusions. Sammy
says your Democracy Sammy is the coun
try.) Sammy" Behold your progentor
From foundation stone to apex, Sammy
you are my handiwork. From Maine tt
| Oregon Behold your parent remember
Sammy from foundation stone to apex
Its an awful responsibility, Sammy, but
assume it cheerfuly. Think on it, Sammy,
think on tall, the height, the grandeur, the
subimity Of the apex, and remember with
tears of gratitude that Democracy made
thee. But this apex Where isit? What
isit? The foundation Of the country we
quite readily come at as being something
stable, and we may put our finger on fact
Oh two thereof. Here is one, not altogether
non essential. NJ. Jefferson and the authors
of the constitution, which is commonly sup.
posed to be the foundation of the country,
quite generally believed that slavery was a
curse, thing against all good morals and
politics. But your modern Democracy de-
clares that the thing has q Divine Right
sanction and therefore moral and polite; and
he sets about rearing q government with hui
man slavery and ''Divine Right" as corn
er stone, which however obstinately refuses
to be reared and finally topples over, after
having wasted many lives and much wealth.
On this ground alone we may dispute your
claim to having laid the foundation of the
country, or Of any country for that matter.
But the ''aper'' Of the country, let us not
lose sight of it. What do you mean by the
apex Of the country? Is it the modern
Democratic free love- notion OF the nature
OF the Union? Is it the war of secession !?
Is it the "Divine Right Philosophy Of sla-
very, or the inhuman thing itself Is it the
results flowing from it in the prostration of
all Industries. and death OF manhood in the
white race that held 100000 OF human be-
ings in bondage? Was it the administration
of the weak and imbecile Buchanan? Was
it Mr.. Davis ut the head OF the Confederacy,
or Mr.. Tweed and his robberics in New
York? Is it tine desolation OF the South? Is
it Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana? Is il
Is il Oregan(O Or is this apex of the coun-
try the fundamental creed of the Republic
.ean party that these States compose nation
indivisible, and possessing the right and
che power to put down rebellion and punish
treason? Is it che crushing out Of a Demo-
cratic rebellion that threatened the nations
life for four disastrous years? Is it the liber-
alton of 100000 Of slaves? Is it the reno
val, forever, from the country of this blight
Of the South? Is it the uneXampled credit
the country enjoys: Is it the wonderful
prosperity and growth of the nation? Is it
the respect with which the country is looked
upon abroad? 1t depends upon which APEX"
you refer to if we are to accord your boast
full claim of authorship. From tile handl-
work with which history accredits you, we
think there is much in Democracy that should
and must retard the growth of the State.
1t strikes us that an ''interregnum' OF
seventeen az years. to say nothing OF minor
''interregnums, is something in the growth
Of country only 4 century old, particularly
when we consider the fact that during that
''intcrregnum'' rebellion against the ma
ton, the most gigantic and thoroughly Or
ganized in all history, was utterly crushed
out after a four years war, and that without
subverting the liberties of the people; and
when we consider the further fact that
1000, coo Of human beings were freed from
abject slavery, and made citizens Of the ma
tion. 1t impresses us that just at this inter-
regnum OF seventeen Q0years, so ilippantly
eliminated by the Democratic historians,
the ''lation achieved'a large portion of its
GREATNESS. y
The fact is il Mr.. Stephens quotes history
Alright, the country started with sort OF
democratic intcrrcgnum, iii we may be
allowed such use of the word,) and has end
ed SO far with like inGerregnum. So Meth :
er ''foundation' nor apex is left as a
monument to your wisdom, and you have
only the ''interregnum." We will call you
the ''Party of Interregnum.
Certainly had New England the history OF
Virginia, there would be deiapidation and
ruin there. 1t is logical; but you see that is
precisely the difference. New England has
not had chat history, wherein we find the
reason of her prosperity and wealth. Re
publicanism ruled New England. Democra-
cy misruled Virginia. We must judge by
results. 1t isnot a complete epitone of histo
ry.
On, Democracy
''Oh, wad some powerf the gftie give
To see oursefs as others see us,
1t wad frae monte a blunder free us
And foolish notion
BARBARIAN.