The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-01-11
9 Pacifcation.

the sacrifice OF any obligation Of citizenship
or manhood. We believe there is enough
OF statemenship in the South left, to consld-
cr The interest of the people, Independent of
party nominalisms, and from earnest convic-
ton OF duty and patriotism. There surely
would be nothing incompatible with fidelity
to State and section. in recognizing the OBJ
legation to support the constituted authori-
ties of the country and the laws and consti-
tuition under which we live. ibis would be
all that would be asked or required--a simple,
plain duty of citizenship, which it should be
the ambition OF every one who respects the
government to perform.
With many, party nomenclature has more
to do with their political identity than hon
est, sincere conviction. They have been so
long educated to oppose the Republican par
ty, although they have time and again an
nounced their acceptance OF the principles
that distinguish it, that it has the appear
ance of inconsistency to abandon that oppo-
sition. In Virginia, they do..not recognize it as
inconsistent to organize under the name of
| 'STrue Republican, Conservative or 'Dem-
crat. when it is to oppose the Republicans.
They can with facility doff one designation
and take up another, rs the emergency may
demand. They can adopt the platform OF
principles which the Republicans proclaim,
and tack them on to the name they may as
| sumo, and regard it as no such viola ton Of
consistency as to call for self reproach- They
can take everything the Republicans con-
| tend for except the name. That is forbid
| den-Why? Is it because it typilies fealty
to the results of war, in their practical en-
forcement? This our amnesty obligations
| pledged. Ii we are true TO the oaths we
placed upon orr statute books, we cannot re-
fuse them. We are in homer bound to OBJ
serve all the Republicans claim. We have
accepted the amendments to the Consttu-
tion-we profess to abide by the laws made
in pursuance of them. Where, then, is the
difficulty? 1t is simply a false pride of con-
sistency, that will net allow lis to accept the
name Republican. That is ALL 1t means
what we say we intend to do, bus we, reject
it, and accept nominalism that is represen-
tative OF opposition to all Our professions.
This is wrong, radically so. And it is not
reason, but prejudice that lie; crmires the
choice.
The time has arrived, when if the people
Eof the South wish to participate in the affairs
OF the government. they must address them
selves to the practical part of politics. 1t
will not do to expect to escape from the force
and effect OF the laws and constitution by
metaphysical refining about abstract and
moribud questions. There is no obstacle to
istration of the government. except what we
chose to present. The discharge of 4 plain du-
ty, will receive plain.and pointed recogni-
ton. The intellect and manhood Of the
South are essential to the South's prosperity.
There will be no obstructions to their utii-
zation-their honorable employment, in
working out the desired result, but what
, comes from those whose interests are at
stake. They have their destiny in their
own hands. They can bring peace and
progress,or they can lnstigate strife and dis
aster. The Republican party cannot and
| will not repudate its own history and
l achievements. They stand out as the con-
, summated facts and events, which must shape
and control the policy of the government.
They are the essence and entity of our sys-
tenn of political freedom. All that is desired
and all that will be required, is for these
, facts to be recognized and accepted. This
, done. land the excuse for sectional distinctions
will have been disposed of, and the fraterni-
r zatien of those governed by national scnti-
ment effected.
/ The indications springing up all over the
{ country, promise that such a state of things
, is possible. Utterances have been made
which give assurance that fair minded men
) now acting with the Democratic party see
the folly OF arraying themselves against the
= incoming administration, simply because
they have heretofore been opposed 20 the
! Republican party. They appreciate che
gravity and tile vital Importance of the cir.
cumstances surrounding them. They see
where the extremists and the agitators will
lead them, and they have manifested dis.
position to meet Gov. Hayes in a spirit Of
| fairness, candor and Cancellation, willing to
, unite, upon honorable terms, their efforts
) With his to give fresh impetus and new life
, to the South, restore peace and harmony to
{ her borders, and thus contribute to the wei.
fare OF the country at large. 1t is these out.
; givings which have so seriously disturbed the
) partizan leaders of the Democratic party,
, and stimulated them to desperation.
What care the Northern Democrats for
. the South, except as means to advance
/ themselves to power? They made the Same
profession in 1901 that they do now. How
did they carry them out, when the supreme
test came? Deserted us-not only that, but
marched upcn us with cartridge and fixed
bayonets to kill and destroy, for doing pre-
cisely what they encouraged lis to do. Is
/ this tragedy to be again enacted ? Have the
people of the South forgotten the false prom
ises and the treachery Of this same Democra-
cy, that is now led by Tilden and Morrissey ?
If 50, they again deserve to be again deceived.
The signs surely point toa detection OF the
conservative element of the Democratic Or
ganizaton-men who have brains, and cour-
age and conscience. They are willing to
give Gov. Hayes a fair trial-to meet him
upon patriotic ground, and to aid in an ad-
ministration governed by the spirit which
pervades his acceptance letter. Such men
may serve the South for her good. They are
the true friends of their section, and will be
so recognized and accepted. With their
counsel and cooperation much may be ac-
complshed, not only in the building up of
the waste places o! the South, but in disin-
.rsgating the party that has been the only
obstruction to the pacification of the country.
Gen. Gordon has written higll-pressure
letter to Gov. Colquitt of Georgia, in which
he claims the election OF Tilden, beyond dis
pute. II Mr.. Gordon had the disposition of
the case himself, the result he announces
might stand. But as there is another side
to it, and very different one to that Mr..
Gordon has painted, his assumptions do not,
by long shot. amount to demonstration.