The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-05-30

greSS fell into the snare, under the whip OF
party, and but for the mutterings Of disap-
proval and Indignation that came up from
the people, the diabolical plot would have
been attempted. oN D. .-DA.'' NJ
1t seems to us that the reckless disregard
ofitbe interests of the country and the char
acter and stability of our institutions, mani
tested in the adoption OF the Potter resolu-
ton, ought to satisfy the people that the
Democratic party cannot be trusted, and
that its relentless machinery, by which free
speech and free thought are etfectually
suppressed, ought to be denounced by every
fair-thinking and peace-loving citizen.
L. ----.------ - >-- .It
SER Democratic Insincerity.
The investigation proposed by the Potter
resolution will result, we are satisfied, in
damage to the Democrats, in partizan
sense. is, however, to be regretted that
any movement should have been Inaugural
ted that promises to revive old sectional feel
ing, and direct the policy Of parties upon
narrow and harmful partizan line. The
thus far, invoked the more conservative in
fluences Of the country in the interest of
Cancellation and peace, to the end that the
material affairs Of the nation might be ad-
varced to a more propitious condition and
the prosperity OF every section be assured
Already has the South realized the benefcent
effects OF his patriotic ambition, and the
hope was encouraged that the less partizan
and more elevated influences which inspire
true craftsmanship, would continue to con-
troll in the direction OF public affairs. The
Democrats of the South have been approach
ed in spirit of confidence by the President.
One of their number was chosen to sit in the
councils Of the cabinet, and participate in all
discussions and suggestions affecting all mat
tiers OF national interests and national poll
cy. Southern Democratic Senators have been
consulted as to the character OF official ap-
pointments. and where men of their own
party persuasion were not selected, Repub-
licans, of conservative sentiment and identi-
fed with the South, and therefore not per
sonally obnoxious, have been chosen,
The President has pursued this course in
the face of the protests Of many Of the lead
ing Senators and Representatives of his own
patty, who doubted the sincerity of the pro-
LESSONS of the Southern Democrats, and JUS
titled himself in the conviction that the time
had come for sectional and race prejudices
to give way to a sentiment of national attach
ment and patriotism. The Southern peopl e
everywhere-she great mass of them whose
only interest in public affairs is to realize
the effects of peace and good government
hailed the non-partizan spirit and purposes
of the administration with delight, and as
the forerunner of an era Of national quiet,
| contentment and osperity-affecting all
parties equally and alike.
| Just, however, as these fruitions were
thought to be in reach, the designing parti-
zans and reckless agitators. jealous of the
contentment of the people and ambitious
for turmoil and contention, spring upon the
country the Potter investigation, and dissi-
pate all the hopes of returning good feeling
Southern Democrats who had been so pro-
fuse in professions CT friendship and admi-
| ration for the President, who had visited him
daily, counseled with him and asked and
received favors. in almost solid column march
to the tap Of the party drum, and proclaim
their own inslncerity in their former profes-
sion of confidence in and regard for the
President !
We have now, instead Of the benelicent
influence of cancellation and peace, the pros
poets of angry contention, partizan strife
and sectional hatred, in which the. South is to
be the sufferer. The promised revival of bu-
siness frustrated, and the return of that wild
and reckless feeling and spirit Of partizan
fury which has heretofore consummated SO
much harm to the nation.
The President feels that he has been de-
ceived by the professions of Southern Dem
ocrats and is not reserved in giving express
sion to his sense Of confidence abused, in
considering the wicked and revolutionary
character and purpose of the movement
thrust upon the country in the Potter reso-
luton. The people everywhere, North and
South, recognize that he has just cause for
indignation, and will not be slow in meas
uring out their own condemnation of the
wicked agitation that must follow the prose-
cution of the plot that must now go on.
Judge Harris committed blunder when
he introduced bill to repeal the ten per
cent. tax on State banks. 1t is true there
are no State Banks, and consequently no
tax paid. The tax operates as an inhibition,
and therein is its virtue. The result of the
adoption of the proposition Of Judge Harris
would be substantially to return to the
'swild cat'' times. State banks would spring
up in every town national banks would
disappear, and the country be flooded with
currency that would not be currency out
side Of the community where it was issued,
except at discount. A person could not
travel beyond the limits OF the State, with
out carrying bag of specie, or submitting
to Shave of from to six per cent. on his
State notes. 1t would be difficult to con-
ceive of a more ill-judged and ill-digested
suggestion than to adopt any measure that
looks to return to the old State banking
system; and we are surprised that Judge
Harris should have introduced measure
that is so objection able and indefensible
Thereis no danger Of it becoming a law,
however.
The discussion in the Democratic Nation
al Committee, which met in Washington
last Friday, developed some interesting
facts: First, that Tilden had no formal
hold with either the leaders or masses of the
Democratic party, and that he could not
again under any circumstances be all i'm
portant factor in any Democratic calcula
tions; and further, that the alleged frauds in
the Presidential election were the only issue
upon which the Democrats could fight the
Congressional campaign this fall. The
- ~G h. pNk&