The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-04-25
A Present Duty.

propaDiy, e.CtJUcU OIL men, women and
children. 1t is astounding to think, that in
country adapted to every variety OF vege-
table growth; Astounding in all the elements
OF material wealth, and capable of indefinite
development and resources, one-tiith of the
population is Oh the verge OF want. There
must be some great underlying cause for
this abnormal condition of things. and it is to
the discovery OF this cause that the intelec-
tiohs OF the nation should be addressed.
without radical change il the methods and
objects Of Legislation and the Influences
which follow the policies OF States and ma
tion, the disturbing forces which have
shaken the fabric Of government in other
countries, and sometimes toppled the very
pillars which upheld it, may be invoked here
to a disastrous and lamentablc result. So
cialism and communism. in their extreme
and lawless manifestations, are but the out
growth of enforced idleness-of that kind OF
legislation or form of government which
gives undue dignity and power to class in
terests, and clothes with peculiar advantages
and facilities one element of society. to OPP
perate to the restriction of the privileges
and to the oppression of mountaineering
the order of nature, and eliminating in
practical Aristocracy and Slavery.
We find these two conditions of society
now confronting each other with angry
menace, encouraged by the legislation that
| has given Capital an absorbing, controlling
power, drawing to itself the substance of
industry and formulating colossal despot-
ism, with its ramifications through all the
avenues of trade and industry. We see, too,
as the result of this fatal influence, the
| suspension Of the industries which vitalize
| Labor,-the idleness which casts its gloomy
pail over the entire country,-and the suffer-
ing that is stimulating the passions and invi-
goratng the growth of antagonists, which
must sooner or later clash in fearful earnest
| ness.
| While these two essential and absorbing
interests, which should at all times operate
for mutual advantage as indispensable to
national progress and prosperity, are stag
| nant-the one in its luxury and the other
| in its poyerty-the legislature of the nation
| seems to be insensible to the threatening at
titude they bear to each other. The centres
of trade are plethoric with wealth and
idle money, or money divorced from the
channels of industry, while the entire coun-
try is full Of suspended machinery and wait
ing labor, which can alone be vitalized by
the application Of the means so isolated.
The legislation which has brought about this
condition of things is necessarily perncous,
directed, as it has been, to adding to the
wealth of the few and the poverty of the
many-estranging interests and elements
which should work in harmony and for the
common good-and which, if not corrected,
will as certainly preciptate conflict as effect
follows cause.
This deplorable and threatening aspect of
affairs has been effected while the popu-
lar passions have been excited and controlled
by sectional and partizan appeals, as to issues
which could have no practical bearing upon
the material interests OF the country. States
manship has been forgotten in the angry
whirl Of passion and prejudice, and the in
terests of the people neglected, while the
selfish purpose of capital has been steadily
operating, careful for nothing but its
own aggregation and the enactments to
fortify it in its exclusive privileges. 1t has
directed and controlled the legislation of the
country in its own behoof. The very fact
that its demands have been respected and
satisfied, is the best evidence that the people
have been disregarded, and the common well
fare OF the country overlooked. Its accumula-
tions and concentration have been going on.
while the avenues of industry have been con-
tracing, labor discharged, and its sources of
comfortable existence destroyed. Its per cen-
tums have been declared semi annually with
the regularity of clock-work, adding to its
values and its power, while property has been
depreeiating, trade stagnated, and all the
active industries Of the country, which give
to labor return, have been steadily dimin-
ishing, bringing train of misfortunes to
the many, which finds expression In the NUT
terings of two millions of idle laborers.
The absolute necessity is here presented
for change of basis of political organiza-
tons, and the removal Of the cause which
has brought about this gloomy state OF pub
lie interests. Sectional and race discus
sions and issues are no longer tolerable. The
highest considerations of public policy and
the peace and prosperity Of the country de-
nand that they shall hereafter be ignored,
and that the practical business interests of
the nation command the attention of our
w-makers.
Such paramount interests are not incon-
sistent with the mission of present parties,
and departure from the methods of past
legislation and discussions does not necessa-
rily imply a surrender of party nomencla.
ture. We think, however, it would be better
for the country if both party names were
blotted out of existence, for they only serve
to arouse the very passions which the inter-
ests of the people require should be allayed,
and revive the prejudices which haye so long
kept asunder the sections. A solid Repub- |
lican North and West and solid Demo-
cratic South, means continued neglect of |
these great interests and that kind of legis-
lation SO necessary for the common good, |
and a subordination of the higher consider
atoms Of government to the selfish ends of |
demagogues. Either old party
names should be discarded, or the people
should arouse themselves to the importance
of entrusting power to such men only as
could rise above these evil influences and
devote their labors to the good of the labor
Of the country, as we'll as that of capital,
which cannot be legitimately employed I'M
less it co-operates with labor.
Wrangling on impractical and non
issues, representing partizan feel
ng, and not comprehendlng the substantial
interests of the country, has brought about
The present threatening relations of corporate
wealth and individual labor.
1t is the part of craftsmanship and parties
% aspire to higher plane of action-to for
set the mere devices of the partizan and
ook to the welfare of the citizen-to direct
egislation so that the currency and the