The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-04-12
State Politics.

approaching election in November. OF
course that was simply our opinion, based
upon the reasons that had been running
through our mind, and not the result of con-
ference, or by authority. 1t was designed
to be our opinion only.
The sentence has attracted the attention
Of number of Republicans in this portion
of the State, some of whom, at first, differed
from the conclusion at which we had ar
rived, and others concurred in it. Those
who differed with lis, however, acknow-
lodged the force of the views We advanced,
and were not fully convinced tina. we were
wrong.
To call Republican Convention and
nominate Republican ticket for State of
fees, would be TO revive the old prejudices
which have operated so seriously against the
Interests of the State, and placed the Repub-
lican party in a false light. This harm
would be certain to grow out of it, while
no corresponding good could possibly result.
The Democratic party as now organized
would be kept in tact. and an excuse fur
nished It for persisting in appeals to race
and sectional feelings and prejudces, thus
interfering with the gradual influence that
may be exerted by the conciliatory policy of
the administration, in its aim to break down
race and sectional lines in politics.
We want to afford the leaders Of the Dem
ocratic party in Virginia no excuse for the
caucus system. 1t is clear to the most SUI
perficial thinking that its results have been
very detrimental to the Commonwealth. 1t
has given to us partizans for law makers and
administrators, instead Of patriots and
statesmen. 1t has stimulated prejudices into
hates, caused bitterness of feeling and pro-
scription, because of political differences,
which have operated to keep enterprise and
capital from coming among us, and instiga-
ted legislation in direct conflict with the
spirit of national laws, and designed to frus-
trate them.
Honest men, in their calmer and more I'M
impassioped moments, cannot approve this.
They never have approved il, except upon
the theory that it was essential to the defeat
of the Republicans. They would not meet
US upon fair field of argument. They
never have dared to do it. To blind the
reason Of the people, it was necessary to ap-
peal to their prejudices, and thus accomplish
the object had in view.
Further, we desire to give the policy Of
the President the fairest trial, and to test
the sincerity of those of the Democratic
party who have expressed their sympathy
with the purposes he has declared, and the
policy he has inaugurated. We do not be-
lieve this could be we'll effected, if the old
prejudices of the Democratic party were ac-
lively revived, and party lines strictly
drawn. There is a liberal element in that
organization in Virginia, and the only way
to get an expression from it, is to leave it
free to encounter the Bourbon faction that
has heretofore ruled and run it. That
party has been held together solely as an
opposition organization, stimulated by excl
ted appeals to race prejudice, and slurs
upon those who have had the courage to de-
clare their adhesion to national authority,
II the representative men of the Republican
party shall determine with lis, that the time
is opportune for the dissolution of the Demo-
cratic party as now organized, and the best
means to accomplish it is to allow spirit of
independence to assert itself, and to have a
fair chance to compare its strength with that
OF the Bourbons and obstructionists, we may
reasonably expect revolt from the close
corporation that has heretofore been oper-
ated in the interest Of the political trimmers
and wirepullers Of the State.
In the policy we have thus briefly out
lined, the Republican party would have
nothing to lose. There are many good and
true men in the State, now acting with the
Conservative party, whose sympathies and
instincts are with the Republicans. They
are kept from open alliance with them, be-
cause of the fierce denunciation that has in
variably been directed against those who
have chosen to divorce themselves from the
caucus. They have not, they think, enough
interest in politics to encounter this kind of
opposition, and so, from mere habit, they
drift along with the current, and record
bors and friends, for the caucus nominees.
1t would require but flimsy excuse for this
class of persons to enter a protest against
the caucus system, and contribute their in
duence to liberalizing political sentiment
and association.
Many, too, of the Democrats of Virginia
have indicated desire to accept official po-
sition. They would scarcely do so, unless
they designed to sustain the policy and prin-
ciples of the administration, which would
imply a separation from the present organi-
cation of the dominant party in the State.
An opportunity would be presented for crys-
talizing this feeling into defined opposition
TO the caucus managers, and form alliance
with the friends of the administration, in
building up party based upon liberal and
principles, and in harmony with
national sentiment and the spirit of the age.
We would interpose no distractions to a
fair and effective test of the sincerity Of
those who have expressed their dissatisfac-
ton with the desolating rule of the Conser-
vative party of Virginia, and their approval
Of the policy OF Cancellation proposed by the
President. We would, indeed, give every
consistent with the princi-
piles of the Republican party and our convic-
lions of right and duty, to that class of per-
sons who recognize in the declared purposes
Of the President, statesman whose views
are broad enough to embrace the entire
Union, and whose ambition is to be the
Chief Magistrate Of all the people.
There is no danger of tile organization of
The Republican party being impaired by
such policy. 1t is based upon principles,
which Wade Hampton and those who are
low sounding his praise throughout the |
Jnion, have been compelled to acknowledge |
md have pledged themselves to carry out.
t stands before the country the representa-
i've OF the broadest nationaiity-the crytal-
sed expression of the inner yearnings of the
reat mass of the people-the epitome Of
opular rights and human freedom-of in
moral and physical advancement.
With the popular impulse free to follow its
fIinities, and gravitate to its eongenial asso-
alton, the Republican party would draw
Al. oe a., ,ooolo xx,ho,o g., |