The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-06-21
Conspiracy Against the People.

caucus manlpulat0rS that The plDic aueDC
question must not be agitatcd-that the iron
rule OF the demagoguc must be pcrpctuatcd,
and that the people must continue in their
abjcct and degraded slavery to the trading
politicians. We are not simply conjccturinS.
There is sufficient information OIL this point
to justify lis in making the open charge that
word has been sent all along the lines OF the
conspirat0rs against the people, that there
must be no discussion of the vital matters
now pressing upon the property owners OF
the State, and demanding solution and
settlement. We have been approached upon
the subject in more than one way, and the
appeal made to let the financial condition OF
the State alone-that few years would
settle it. How? Why, by putting it out OF
the power Of the people to adjust it-forcing
reputation! Startling as this inference is,
| it is true, and comes from the very class OF
| men who are prating about the "honor OF
Virginia and the traditions of the Com
monwealth."
For one, we shall accept no such an insi-
| dious and cowardly alternative. We believe
| it is in the power Of the people to adjust the
public obligations fairly and justly, and we
further believe that there should be an honest
effort to do so. We believe it is in the power
of the people to practically destroy the infa-
nous and corrupt Funding Bill, and compel
a settlement Of the obligations of the State,
;,,,t oI;l-o - tt,o oro,1;tor ond f1oltor with
a Legislature and Governor in sympathy
| with the Industrial interests of the State, we
are sure such legislation can be consummated
| as will remove all doubts as to this, and open
| upan avenue Of escape from the complica-
! lions which are daily closing around the
people, and IL not averted, must ultimately
| ruin them.
| We do not believe it Is ia the power of any
legislature or any judicial tribunal to destroy
the essence OF the State-to take from the
control Of the people the management of
l their own affairs for over quarter of a
century, and thus practically absorb all legis-
tive power for that period, affecting the finan-
cial condition and resources Of the people.
This point, however, it is not our purpose
Just here to discuss. We want to warn the
| people against the conspiracy that is being
formed against them, and to urge them to
renewed activity in perfecting their plans to
defeat the willy tricksters who are now con-
certing their schemes by which they expect
] to perpetuate their ruinous, selfish and dis
honest rule. We expect to hear of all sorts
of specifics to meet the emergency that con-
fronts the people. These we have had before.
We have been assured that new subjects OF
taxation would be discovered, that new
economies would be instituted, and new
devices born for the purpose of increasing
the revenue, at the present rate of taxation,
sufficient for public demands. But each
year it has been the promise of the lip, to be
broken to the hope. The condition of the
State has been growing worse, as each
delusion passed away and each deception
exposed itself.
The purpose now is, to stealthily perfect
the plans OF the caucus managers, by seeking
to allay the appehensions OF the people, and
avoid discussion of the questions which have
so alarmed the taxpayers of the Common
wealth. The designing tricksters know full
we'll that they cannot 90 before the people
and face their aroused fears because of the
wrongs heaped upon them. They have been
deceived and duped and outraged until they
feel the expressions, and realize the neces-
sity OF some determined action OH their part
to rescue themselves from the environments
that threaten their material destruction.
The case is too plain for any subterfuge t6
hide 1.-THE wrongs are too palpable to admit
Of denial. The demagogue is without an
excuse or an argument, and hence the insi.
dious designs now to accomplish his ends by
provoking no disputation.
We trust the people will fully appreciate
the sinister silence that has been command
ed, and the deep designs masked under the
policy Of " mastery inactivity" Mark you,
these men ane adopts in duplicity-they are
tireless in energy. Their purpose is to secure
control Of what they call the party organi-
cation. and use that to terrorize and bulldoze
the people. The caucus machinery is to be
relentless, and it is for the people either to
be on the alert to control it or defy it. The
conspiracy is certainly in process Of forma-
ton, and the people are to be the victims of
the trading politicians. 1t is for them to say
whether it shall succeed or not. If the dis
astrous rule that has wronged them so much
THAT has brought the State to the very
verge OF ruins to be continued, there will
be no enc to blame but themselves. They
hold the power. and they must endure the
consequences Of its exercise either for their
own emancipation or to forge the chains of
their oppression with still more relentless
dcspotism. -e..t