The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-11-29
Old Whips.

between the President and the representa-
tives of the caucus of Republican Senators,
it was stated that the President expressed
confidence in the final success of his South
ern policy, and that eventually the sold
Wings" and "Methodists' of the South
would constitute elements in the Republican
following. Whether any such expressions fell
from his lips or not, is not material. The
mere publication of the sentences has fur
nished occasion for number of tho papers
of Virginia, edited by gentlemen who were
old line Wings, to enter solemn protest to
any such conclusion, and to construe the
suggestion as an imputation upon their
honor. The Lynchburg Fi,ginian, Rich
mond Wing. Richmond Dispatch, Staunton
indicator and others-all conducted by
gentlemen who were identified with the old
Wing party, intimate that the old Wings
are not so easily purchased, and that there
is not the remotest possibility of any such
alliance being effected. 4 liberal interpre-
tation OF what they really mean is, that they
would be willing to receive any favors vol
unfairly tcrdered by the administration and
to tolerate President Hayes so long as his
official acts and declarations harmonic
with their views of public policy, but that
when it comes to a question of political iden-
tity and co operation they mean to stick to
the reactive and repressive policy Of what is
called the Democratic party, regardless of
the general benefits which might accrue
from different course.
We are satisfied that this is the sentiment
of the leaders OF the Democratic party, who
are, i'll many instances, old line Wings.
They covet power and patronage and will
take all that is conferred upon them by the
administration, but will never consent to
cooperate with the Republican party, for
the reason that its leaders were educated in
a different school of politics and live IN a
different section of the Union. These old
Wings recognize the fact that with the
democrats they have at least chance to be
leaders, and would possibly assist in shap-
ing the policy and controlling the patronage
of democratic administration, should one
be advanced to power, while as co-laborers
with the Republican party they would rep
resent Il minority section Of that organiza-
ton, and would not probably figure so con-
spicuously, in a national sense. This is
about their mode of reasoning, for there is
no principle involved affecting administra-
tive policy that they can appeal to in iusti-
fication of their blind opposition to the Re-
publicans.
| While this is the case with what may be
termed the leaders, it is not an indication OF
the honest sentiment of the masses, who
only desire good government and the faith
full execution of the laws. They have been
controlled by specious appeals to passion.
to sectional feeling, and kept in political al
lance with the leaders because to do other
wise was to encounter denunciation not
pleasant to endure. We believe many OF
them are sincerely in sympathy with the adj
minstration, and now that the occasion for
appeal to prejudice has substantially passed
away and the cause removed, it would not
be surprising if they divorced themselves
from an organization which H. inflicted so
many wrongs upon the State, and imposed
upon them burdens which are sorely press
ing upon them.
| We, however, expect no sudden political
revolution in the South, nor abrupt disrup-
ton Of present political organizations. New
parties may be formed, based upon ques-
tons of State and national policy. distinct
from the issues heretofore designating the
line of separation. Practical thinkers will
separate from mere theorists questions of
finance, of tariff, Of internal improvements,
affecting the every day interests and the
well being of the South, may come to the
front. The practical business men, who
adopt measures as they may contribute to
material advancement, may form alliances
that will repcl the mere speculative notions
of political dreamers, who learn nothing by
experience and are incapable Of compre-
hending any public policy that does not
| tonsue-and groove with the teachings of col
lege text books on political economy. III
deed, it is only in issucs..of thisIkind, that we
MAY cApcCt any SlcitI CiitESS III Cuc TIKI
tons of men to parties. When the issues
and preiudices of the war have really passed
out of view, we may reasonably expect new
combinations aud associations politically.
With immigration and capital brought into
contact with our natural advantages, new
suggestions will fiEd Judgment IN the popu-
| lar mind-lnateral development will give
| impetus to new ideas, new theories, new
policies, and the live energies of the people
will confront the effets and rcprcssive no.
tions Of the old Bourbons, who live in the
| past and draw their inspirations from the
musty folios of century ago. The new
South will gather around her the progress
i've thoughts and energies of the men school
ed in the practical conflicts of business life,
who will shape her destiny, and live down
the metaphysical imprscticables who revel
in dreamy theories and stare at material
progress as the ruthless invasion of the
things held sacred because of the antiquity
of their association.