The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-03-08
Just Reflections.

Adversely. a we'll as Prosperity. tests the
metal OF hc.i. In either stale. true iian-
hood is shown where an equilibrium is main
tanned. aud the mind directed tt, cquable re
Elections. Adversely too frequently generates
moroseness, envy, malice and all nnciarita
bieness-a painful weakness in the make-;tp
OF variable man Prosperity beSets pride,
superciliousness, inperiausness. wherein is
al equ1l degree OF shalowness aud want Of
mental anG moral balance. The safe com
selor md wise leader is he who caa resist
both extremes, and either ia adversely or
prosperity exercise u rational Judgment.
,consi{lerate OF the views and opinions OF
others, equally us hoRest as himself
This preface is appropriate TO the follow
ing reflections OF our able democratic cotem-
porary Of siie Richmond Ere,siay State ,spnn
the result Of the deliberations ~ the Elec
toral Commission, paper We cor Tally com
mend to the patronage Of our citizens of
both parties. When Il spirit Of such eminent
fairness and philosophical equipoise eau con-
troll under the irritating surroundings which
attend the determination declared, there is
even handed justice ruling in the mind and
heart OF the party giving expression to 1t:
The count is done, the result declared. and
the President named. Hayes and Yheeler
are announced te have 1876 votes. and there
fore are the President and Vice President of
the United States from the 4tll day Of March,,
1877, for four years then ensuing.
y t,,ri,r l.,I =
be found in al. history. Eleven years after
the end Of Il vast and bitter civil war the de-
feated party were SO strong as 20 meet the
victor on equal terms and dispute with him
the supremacy. No country aud no period
has shown such quick return to peace from
war, to civil methods from armed camps
The election of November, thus dramatic
and novel, arraying parties whose division
was almost identical with the frontiers OF
warning governments, was yet so peaceful
and orderly rs that the world wondered
was so even in result as that doubt from thar
moment was sincerely held by men of bath
sides. Yet for three months and more abso-
lutte peace prevailed, and to avert the conse
quence of continued uncertainty a judicial
arbiter was created by consent. and forty
millions of people. divided into almost equal
parties. awaited in quiet and order a result
in whicl, nine out OF every ten Were pre-
foundly Interested. Now, at last. when de-
cision is given, the defeated party conscien-
tiousiy believing itself cheated OF its rights,
yet is able to rule its own passions and TO
preserve peace, order and quiet
In this long drama, however hysterical
people may moan, and weep, and swear over
it, not republican institutions and self-gog- |
ernment only are indicated, but humanity
is honored, and the people of this country
have shown, first of all peoples. how free
dom teache: to bear and to adorl both pros
perlty and adversely, to wage war with a
vigor unmatched, and to preserve peace with |
unexampled.
Such are the highest among the lessons
these great events have brought. Surely the
most grievous disappointment may console
itself wiall these truths, these glories, and
make us wise to turn from the strife of the
political to the labor and the thrift OF the in
Lnstrial world-the farm, the factory, the |
mine, the counting-house, and the home.