The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-07-04
Mr.. Stenhens, Speech.

We publish to-day synopsis OF speech
recently delivered by Hon. A. II. Stephens,
of Georgia, in vindcation of his vote against
the Potter resolution, and the disgraceful
investigation now progressing before it;
and also, brief extract from speech OF
Gen. Chalmers, OF Mississippi, in which is
given, in very plain words, his estimate OF
| the Northern Democracy.
The speech of Mr.. Stephens may be taken
as an earnest and patriotic protest against
caucus politicians, and q declaration that the
mission of craftsmanship must seek 4 higher
plane than that which attaches to the
devices and mischievous ambition of the
mere professional politician. They both
may be regarded as Il significant symptom
of the disintegration and dissolution of the
Democratic party, as now organized, and
an honest endeavor not only to serve the
true interests of the South, but OF the ma
ton. There is refreshing air of sincerity
breathed in each, and the recognition that
there are duties and obligations far higher
than the slavish obedience to the commands
and aims of mere machine politics, as d.
rected by the leaders of the organization of
which both of these gentlemen are mem
bers.
The sagacious Interpretation of the Potter
Investigation, in his protest against the res
olu.ion authorizing it,-that it would either
prove s'contcmptible farce, or horrible
tragedy, ''-nvests Mr.. Stephens speech
with more than ordinary interest, inasmuch
as the less dangerous alternative is about to
be realized, and the contempt, not only Of
every good citizen OF this country, but
of the civilized world, invoked for one
OF the most wicked and despicable at
tempts to disturb the peace of the nation
that has ever been instigated. The very
fact that the party which inaugurated it was
compelled by the indignant utterances OF
the American people, to formally declare
against its original purpose insured the les
ser result which Mr.. Stephens so tersely
foreshadowed, and we are now brought lace
to face with the baldcst farce which has ever
been enacted on the political stage Of the
country.
The truth is, this modern Democratic
party has no great national policy or gov
ernmental principles with which to go be-
fore the American people. Its specious pre-
tense of Cancellation in 1872, and ire
trenchment and reform in 1876, illustrate
how barren it is OF ideas affecting the affairs
of government and contributing to the sub
stantial progress and development of the
nation; and with equal imbecility has it
sought to formulate the demagoguecal de-
fusion of ''iraud'' for the coming Congress
sional election, to be more literally played
upon in the contest of 1880. This bubble,
however, has collapsed ere it had been in
fated 10 its full proportions, and the party
that instituted it left exposed to the ridicule
of the country. Nothing could be more re-
pusive and disgusting to the people than
a great party, with its organization co-exten-
sive with the Union, seeking to attain con-
troll Of the government, and presenting no
higher claim to popular confidence than the
empty blather about "frauds," ''reform, -
and kindred clap-trap. The admission is
thus made that it does not aspire to states
manship, nor comprehend the wants of the
people nor the destiny Of the Republic. To
demonstrate this, we have only to refer to
the utter failure of the present Congress,
during an eight months session, to enact
any legislation looking to the interest of the
people, and the relief felt all over the coun
try when the hour for its adjournment ar
Rived We do not assume that there are
not men in the Democratic party who, if in
power, would be governed by higher aims
than the mere control of patronage for par
tizan ends, but the method OF selecting rep.
resentatives through caucus machinery. is
the surest guarantee that the professional
politicians and cunning tricksters will al
ways secure the nominations, and in this
way perpetuate the perncious rnle of the
class of men who obeyed the mandates oil
party rather than a conviction of right in
) the adoption of such disturbing legislation
as that against which Mr.. Stephens so bravely
and defiantly protested.
The country, and the South especially,
want. more of such men as Mr.. Stephens.
who consider country above party, and the
interests of the people above the selfish de-
signs of few mischievous and pestiferons
political advent urers.