The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-03-15
The Old and the New Love.


Tic tone Of the democratic press and the
general expression of the people in Virginia
have been very favorable to the policy ipdi-
Gated by President Hayes. There is a cheer
fitness pervading public feeling that prom
ises well for the future, and encourages tile
hope that new phase is to be given to party
identity and policy hereafter in this State
We do not know how sincere all this is, OF
how long it will last. The Enquirer is evi
IDENTIFY becoming suspicious, and cautions
the party against independent movements
growing out OF the drift of sentiment to-
wards President Hayes. This hopeful con.
dition OF things has stirred up the ambitious
with desire to serve their country and aid
in pushing on the new departure in lucra-
tive offices. Petitions are sailing around in
Richmond particularly for democratic sigma
lures, which a few weeks ago would have
been cheerfully signed to Hayes death war
rant. OF course, the average Virginia demo.
cratic politician cannot SO well express his
sentiments Of loyalty to the government as
when he is the recipient of good fat Office.
1t stimulates his ardor, invigorates his ener.
gies, deepens his convictions-and all for his
cou ntry.
This is all very we'll. There will, how
ever, be an opportunity on larger scale to
show the gcnuineness OF this sentiment, this
fall, in the Gubernatorial and Legislative
elections. If these Hayes democrats are
really in earnest, we want to see them array
themselves against the caucus-demand that
machine politics shall be crushed out, and
the people left free to express their wishes
at the ballot-box. To be national aud lib
eral in national sentiment, means the dsso-
Luton of the Democratic party of Virginia.
This, we hope, is to be the result. If race
prejudice can be driven out of the canvass,
and The occasion removed to appeal to the
passions of the people, we have no doubt the
policy OF President Hayes will be amply sus-
tanned as indicated in the men who will be
entrusted with authority in Virginia. The
caucus and the party lash constitute the
potent agents through which the democratic
party has been kept together this long.
There are jarring elements within, and,
with the least excuse, they will bound off
from each other and disintegrate the organi-
cation. No one who thinks more of his
State than of his party would regret this.
Partizan despotism and bigotry, as exempli-
fed in the history of that party in Virginia,
have been exceedingly harmful to the peo-
pie. The old Commonwealth is now reeling
under the burdens they have fastened upon
her. Machine politics have run and gov
erned everything, State and municipal, and
the result is, we are struggling under load
that will crush us, if relief of some kind is
not furnished.
Ut course, we appreciate the disinterested
patriotism of these gentlemen who have sig
nified their sympathy with President Hayes
and would emphasize it by accepting-aye,
seeking a commission. Without question
ing their motives, would not a becoming
nodesty suggest that the day of Importantly
be postponed until the developments this
fall in the elections give assurance that a
candid support will be given the administra-
ton, i'll defiance of caucus dictation and
party lash ?
We merely make the suggestion as one
that seems opportune at this particular time,
and eminently proper under the circum-
stances. 1t would he consistent with the feel
ing and sentiment now generally expressed
that the narrow basis OF the Democratic Or
ganizatiton be shattered, and more gener-
GUS and progressive spirit developed, and it
is due TO the President and the gentlemen
protesting friendship for him that the old
love b.. retired from the boards before the
new love is amorously embraced. Self-re-
spect requires this, as well as respect for the
new aptials that are proposed.
Will if he f1ona2