The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-06-06

MIR. Key L6IJeT.
We published last week the letter OF Hon.
D. M. Key, Postmaster General, addressed
10 the people of the South, and especially of
Tennessee, his native and resident State, in
relation to the Potter Investigation and the
Interior purpose which moves it. 1t con-
tains a solemn and impressive warning to
the South, and points out the sinister and
revolutionary design which has instigated
the movement and which is destined, If not
arrested by popular protest, to plunge the
country into strife and turmoil, the end of
which no one can NOW foresee. Although
clothed in respectful language, and sug-
gested by the purest motives and highest
for Southern interests, the
agent of the associated press failed 70 tele-
graph it to the South, doubtless under the
direction of the members of Congress who
voted for the Potter resolution, and in doing
so misrepresented the Southern people.
Not only was Mr.. Keys letter not tele-
graphed to the South. but no paper in Viz
ginia, that we have noticed, has published
1t in full except. the VALLEY VIRGINIAN.
The terse, incisive presentation OF the grave
danger that threatens the country By reason
of the feeling growing out OF this partlzan
movement, ard the magnitude of the inter
ests which may be precipitated into the is
sue, that were so frankly stated by Mr..
Key, should have had careful reading in
every household, that the People themselves
might understand whittier they are drift
ing.
Had Democratic criticisms been as scant
as the space allowed the letter OF MIR. key,
there would have been at least some show
of consistency. But the fiercest denuncla-
ton has been directed against the letter and
its author, his motives have been arraigned,
and the moving cause attributed to a de-
sire to retain the position he holds in the
Cabinet councils. The injustice of the treat
ment is made manifest by a simple refer
ence to Mr.. Keys recent history. He has
never been politician. He was appointed
to fill the vacancy in the United States SEN
ate from Tennessee because OF his known
conservatism and enforcement from political
rings and plots. His course there was in
keeping with his previous high character as
ar impartial and just man. His selection as
one of the constitutional advisors OF the
President, was not only unexpected to him,
but a great surprise, and no suggestion from
or to him had been made until the invita-
ton was extended to him to accept the po-
sition he now holds. There has not been
an act or expression from him since he has
administered the affairs of the Postofiice
Department that could be contorted into
either partizan or selfish designs. He has
lived and acted above the mere politician,
and sought the good of the country as well
as the service in the discharge of the com
plicated duties of his office. Yet he is
charged with mercenary considerations in
the preparation Of his letter, and every cpl
tibet that the malignity of partizan lunatlcs
could devise have been launched at him to
inspire distrust and array the sentiment OF
the South against him. In thus attempting
to forestall the effect Of the calm and forci-
BILE appeal OF Mr.. Key, the politicians have
given another evidence of their insidious
and revolutionary purposes. They well
enough know that the great mass of the peo-
pie OF the South have no sympathy with the
purposes of those who have pressed this
dangerous movement-the members OF Con-
gress who voted for it, under the party lash
In the hands OF Northern marplots, are
conscious that they misrepresented their
constituents, and it needs but little encour-
agement to stimulate revolt against the
despotism of the Caucus, and teach them
lesson that will produce its fruit in ''rctired
statesmen" who will have to make g virtue
of necessity and step down and out.
We have been informed that not Demo
cratic member from Virginia has any SYM
pathy with the Potter movement, but in
obedience to the command of the party
Caucus they allowed themselves to be driv-
en- to its support in violation Of their own
sense of right as well as the known senti-
ment of their constituents. TO them party
was above country, and TO do the bidding OF
the political tricksters and chronic agita-
tors of the North, they grossly misrepresent-
ed their people in grave matter, that must
necessarily effect harm to the South, and
may arouse feeling and precipitate commo-
ton and strife that will endanger the very
existence of the government. go.
To prevent the serious results which are
feared by calm and discriminating states
men, it is essential. as Mr.. Key suggests,
that the Southern people demand clear
and explicit declaration from every candi-
date who aspires to seat in Congress, upon
the grave question involved in the present
agitation, and to plant himself squarely
upon the inviolability of the determination
of the Electoral Commission. Should, I'M
fortunately for the country, the next Con-
gress be in the control of Democrats, and
they the creatures of the Caucus system OF
politics, the attempt may be made to assail
the title of the President and disown his
authority, the first desperate step to revolu-
ton and bloody conflict. It is with the peo-
Pile, whose peace and interests are involved.
to assert their own authority and give voice
to their sentiments in the character OF the
men whom they will this fall entrust with
representative duties in this serious and i'm
portant crisis of the country's history.
4 Wise Suggestion.
An intelligent and influential Conservative
of Staunton stated to us yesterday that he
intended to see what could be done to get
up public meeting of the citizens of Staun
ton and Augusta county to protest against