The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-03-28
" Mrs. Grundy."

mond Dispatch, over the signature OF "Mrs.
Grundy." intimates that there is to be an
effort to form parties in Virginia OH the debt
question, uniting the Funding bill supporters
and the Republicans against the readjusters,
and suggests as one of the distractions to
such colsummation the attitude of the
VIRGINIAN and its senior editor, with an
intimation that influences may be brought
to bear to effect change either in our rela-
lions to this paper or our official relation to
the government. We care very little about
what "AIrs. Grundy,' or the whole brood
of Grundys think or desire. 1t affords &C.
casion, however, to give expression to few
sentences that may be OF advantage to the
Grundy family and those who stand behind
to give direction to the antics of the suple-
Jacks. In the first place. the debt question of
Virginia has nothing to do with national
politics, nor with the Democratic or Repub
| lcan parties. 1t is peculiarly State oues-
ton, and must be discussed and determined
with reference to State interests. It might
suit the purposes of few hungry politi-
clans to seek to make party capital out Of it,
one way or the other, but we consider it
alone from sense of duty to Virginia and
her people, and with an honest desire to
bring about q solution that will rebound
ent agitation is the result of the re-
volt of the people against the ring poll
ticians and the arraignment of machine
politics for the great expressions and wrongs
which have been imposed Upon the people
through its fundamentally. Second, the
issue before the people OF Virginia, affecting
State polty and State interests, is some
thing with which the national administra-
ton has nothing to do. 1t is a matter for
the people of Virginia to determine for
themselves, and this they VII do in defiance
of political intriguers and schemers for sell
fish ends.
1t is a matter our relations to the Repub-
lcan party has nothing to do with 1t is as a
citizen of Virginia, devoted to her welfare,
and laboring for her emancipation from the
piratical crew that has been guiding and
running her to certain ruin, that our endeav-
ors are directed and there are not enough
frighten us from our conviction of duty in
this respect. We have an eternal warfare to
wage against that class of politicians which
have brought about the present embarrass-
ments of the State-which have robbed the
people of the State of their rights-filched
and sqaundered the resources their toll has
paid into the Treasury-slandered and ira
duced the Old Commonwealth, and fastened
upon her wrongs and expressions which are
sinking her into bankruptcy and ruin.
1t is idle to think of dragging national
issues and national measures into question
purely local in its application and effect,
and still more idle to presume for moment
that the people of Virginia will allow
themselves to be drawn away from the
: merits of the issue by any such side-shoW
as the Grundy family suggest.
When the debt question shall have beer
disposed of, it will be time enough to direcI
S attention to the reformation of political par
: ties upon national issues, and it will be time
enough then for the gentlemen who arr
: seeking new coalitions to name their mef
and their affinities. So long as the presen
legislative injustice, which hangs over tin
n people like a shadow of political death
: stands unrepealed, the warfare of the Peo
J. pie against the Ring Politicians must con
l. tinue, regardless Of past party utilization
U upon national issues. No such grinding in
II Justice was ever fastened upon State a
e that which is reflected in the Fundln
If bill, representing falsehood and wron
that no self respecting people should
will consent to tolerate. The Grundys an
their allies can mark out the course the
n prefer to pursue, and the VIRGINIAN wi
: elect to choose for itself the interests it wi
IS undertake to champion. We are for tn
! People and it is to their cause we mean t
dedicate our labors, until Virginia is emar
/ cipated from the legislative frauds whic
S have been inflicted upon her through tn
s. weakness and treachery of those who shoul
: have scorned to have bound her hand an
l. foot, and placed her at the mercy OF tn
m heartless speculltors in her misfortunes.
4 When the proper time arrives fo
" national issues to be discussed, the VIRGIN
ia IAN will have no uncertain sound to uttel
a Its past history is not such that it need
i. apology or explanation, nor such as to in
" spire the belief that TIE Grundy family ca
H. swerve it from any line of policy deeme
SIS best for the interest of Virginia.