The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-09-20
Party Spirit.

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As the time approaches for the assembling |
of Congress, speculation becomes active as
TO the probabilities, in q political bearing, OF
tbc two bodies. 1t is known that the House
will be constituted Of very slim democratic
majority, and that the Senate will have a
slight balance in favor of the Republicans.
This body is classified as embracing 80 Re
nnblicans. 80 democrats and independent.
with three Misunderstanding the Republi-
cans S majority in the opening of the ses-
sion. The illness of Hon. o. z. Morton,
should it continue so as to prevent his TAX
Ing his seat, will diminish the Republican
strength numerically one. and should the
disease under which he is now Frustrated
prove fatal, the vacancy would be filled by
the appointment Of Democrat by the De-
mocratic Governor Of Indiana. Democrats
assert that Senator Spencer of Alabama,
Patterson of South Carolina, and Conover of
Florida-all Republicans not on the
most friendly terms with the administra-
ton, and that this hostility will show itself
whenever a strict party vote is recorded.
Indeed, the opposition goes so far as to
claim that they will have control of the Sem
ate, through the detection of these three
Southern Senators.
There is an Importance given these proba-
bilities which we do not think attaches to
them. 1t. is very apparent that partizan
spirit is at heavy discount all over the
country. The absence of everything like
partizanism in the policy of the administra-
ton has had the effect to abate party rancor
and revive sentiment of nationality that
has not been prevalent of late. There is no
strictly party question to engage the delib-
erations of Congress, and we can at this
time conceive of no issue likely to arise that
would inflame the fast disappearing ami
mosities which have heretofore so sorely
afflicted the country. Surely there is pa
triotism enough in the country to respond
to the catholic spirit of the administration,
and ample inducement for members of both
Houses to forget the bitter strifes OF the
past and rise to the level of statesmen in
considering all matters affecting the general
interests OF the country. We believe there
will be men found in both bodies who can
and will do this. The temper OF the people
is in no mood to tolerate the mere political
acitators of either party, and whenever the
attempt is made to arouse moribund resent
mcnts, it will give the opportunity for the
really conservative elements to unite their
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people and for the common good.
The country has had enough of party and
sectional strife. The evidences of reviving
trade and prosperity in all business pursuits
will appeal with tremendous force to the
wisdom and patriotism OF Congress to inter-
vcne no obstacle to the growing confidence
in trade and the hopeful assurances OF the
future which now loom up all around. Pre-
sidcnt Hayes has SO shaped his policy
as to remove all reasonable provocation
for the manifestation of any ether than
national sentiment on the part Of Congress.
The warnings of the nation arc for peace
and cessation from partizan excitement.
The business interests of the country de-
mand that the ambitions of partizan agita-
tors shall be frowned Down, and that the
legislation of Congress shall be in harmony
with the better feeling and sentiment that
are now for the first time in many years as
serting supremacy.
The people want good government, just
laws, and fidelity in public trusts. 1t mat
tiers little to them through what instrument
talities these ends are consummated. Ihe
conservative elements of the country, ire
spective of past party affiliations, feel the
necessity of misunderstanding partizan agl-
tations, which are always in conflict with
=, business interests, and devoting al the
powers Of the government to fastening the
period when the material concerns OF the
nation will command the attention and
stimulate the ambition Of public men.
This condition OF things, we know, is hos
tile to the interests and the aspirations OF
the mere partizan strife-breeders. The small
fry politicians read in it their own doom,
and though there may be spasmodic effort
to counteract it, it will be in vain. The
moral forces which now seem to be inspir.
ing and directing national affairs will bear
down the mere petty politicians, who flour
ish in strifes, and bring to the front men
who regard country as above party. and the
prosperity Of the people as paramount to the
mere devices of scheming agitators.
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