The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-11-07
The Future of Politics.

| The canvass made in this district by Gen.
Eehols in favor Of an honest financial sys-
TEN, and q currency by which labor may be
protected from being cheated, developed a
sentiment that it was not believed existed.
The people had listened to the delusiye
statements OF Messrs. Harris and Paul I'M
til they had become somewhat confused as
to what really was their interests in connec-
ton with the currency of the country. Gen.
Echols brushed away the cobwebs which
had been woven by these gentlemen and
clearly demonstrated to those who heard
him that national and individual prosperity
must be based upon nom uctuating, re.
liable medium CT exchange, and that we
must recognize the standard Of value of the
world in order to secure the benefits of le-
climate endeayors in the avenues of trade.
While the complications and committals
were such as to render it impossible to crys-
talze this sentiment in this contest, yet en-,
courage.nent has been given for its formu-
'aton hereafter, and the expression of pop
ular conviction as to the financial policy
that should be adopted.
All indications justify the conclusion that
the contest of 1880 will be made upon the
currency question as the paramount issue,
and clearly show that the two great parties
of the country will represent the conflicting
views that obtain between redeemable and
irredeemable paper money. Mr.. Thomas
Ewing has expressed it, that the s'soft mon
ey' Republicans would drift into the Dem
ocratic party, and the ''hard money Demo-
crats' into the Republican party, and parties
thus arranged and committed would contest
the Held for supremacy. Such statesman as
Senator Biyard, finding that the Democrat
lc party has surrendered its cardinal prin-
clple upon the finance question, will be
disposed to adhere to the principle rather
than follow the party in Its departure from
one OF its fundamental tenets, ard whether
ne and those who think with him, will unite
With the Republicans Or not, their moral
support must necessarily be given to the
principles which they maintain. The tenn
porizing and trimming policy of the Democ-
ltlcs known as the independent voter.'' a
class OF citizens who are welded to no party
nomenclature or machinery, but give their
support to the party that represents the con-
serVaslve Interests ofthe country and propose
measures in consonance with the business |
requirements of the times. This important
element which supported Mr.. Tilden in
1876, because of his supposed ''reform'' pro-
clvities. will throw its weight on the side of |
honest money in 1880, and CO. operate with
the only party that has shown by its cour-
ageous maintenance of the integrity of the
government and the faith of the nation. that
it is equal to the emergencies which confront
us.
The representative elect from this district
will learn, too, from the developments which
have been made, that the people Of the VAL
ley have no idea Of giving in their adhesion
to the greenback folly, and that if he wishes
to reflect popular sentiment he must sub
stantially support and carry into effect the
principles androlicy which Gen. Echols so
ably presented.
There is, indeed, a healthier feeling pre-
vailing all over our country, ssand the brave
fight made by the Republican throughout
The country on this finance issue has done
much to dispel fears as to the greenback lu-
macy, and stimulate courage in the mainte-
nance OF the public faith and national in
tpUritV