The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-01-10
The President and his PARTY.

be the views OF the IfeSluenG on the pOllbi-
cal situation and the policy that will govern
his administration. These are important at
this particular time, when it is evident there
is to be an organized opposition to him with
in his own party. The general idea of pa
cification aud the means used to effect it.
Lave, without doubt, received endorsement
from the business interests of the country,
while they have not, Just as certainly, been
cordially accepted by the party that elected
him. The question presented is, whether
the peace and business prosperity Of the ma
ton are to be considered as paramount to
partizan interests. 1t has been the profess
sion Of aclf'party that its success would in
sure these results. 1t has been the appeal
of misrepresentation OF each party that its
policy would be in. the interest of the PEG.
pie and general prosperity, and with this
they have asked popular support. Now
when the President has given emphasis to
these declarations in the practical operation
OF his administration, murmurs OF discon-
tent are heard from the very source whence
the appeals were made. 1t could not be ex-
pected, that in divising a policy to bring
about better feeling between the sections,
that every act towards the con summation
should llarmonze with the precoDceiyed
views Of party. PartiZan strifes had been
instrumental in arraying the sections against
each other, and breeding rancors and hates.
and it was not rational to expect that the
same influences which had engendered The
animosity would be invoked to remove
them. A broader and more catholic view
has'controlled the President, noh however,
necessarily bringing him in conflict with
the declared principles and policy OF his
party as formulated in the platform upon
which he was elected. While the President
may have gone 200 far in concessons-ana
we think he has-to the Democratic ilatter-
ers, who make profusive promises never to
be realized-there is a compensating result
in the quiet which prevails and the business
hope that animates.
What the results will be upon the organi-
zation OF parties in the South. Time alone
4
cratic party of the South, constituted as it is
of warning and homogeneous elements,
thrown together under extraordinary pres
sure, cannot long survive condition of
peace and quiet. With these attained, the
source OF its existence disappears, and con-
genial affinities will draw off the inte2 raj
parts into opposing factions. Intelligent
thinkers must readily recognize the grea:
harm to follow 4 ''solid Democratic South. =
1t is a challenge to Il solid Republican
North, Northwest aud Pacific. And such
minds will have their influence, when the
excuses which have heretofore been ad-
duced for the existence of the Democratic
party in that section cease, and the popular
Judgment is relieved from appeals to preju-
dice and passion. The dissenting elements
may not crystalize under Republican no.
menclature,' but they will divorce them
selves from the lead of the agitators, and
give expression to their sympathy with ma
tional laws and national authority III some
form or other, to defeat sectionalism and
rebnke fanaticism.
We cannot conceive that it is inconsistent
with the mission of the Republican party
that the ends the President is aiming 10 en-
compass, should be accomplished. Certain
ly no party would enter the political arena
Haunting banner in opposition to them.
The means he may employ may not be ac-
ceptable to the strict partizans OF his own
party, but the results lie desires cannot fail
to commend themselves to the patriotism OF
the entire country. With the motives which
iInpel and the results sought TO be achieved
In harmony with the best instincts OF hu-
man nature and the highest considerations
OF pnblic policy. we should think there were
ample grounds for his PARTY friends to fore
go the proposed warfare, and seek to effect
by friendly oyertures that which they assert
is thei: object in the hostile attitude they
are assuming. We can see no possible good
to grow out of such anita gonism. and i'm
measurable harm to the party they profess
to serve. The Presidents devotion to Re-
publican principles will no. be questioned
by impartial judgment. With the response
bilities of his position and the oath OF his high
office pressing upon him, it is not strange
that he should occasionally jar against the
notions Of those VITO only view the inter
ests from q partizan and irresponsible stand
point. But there should be no serious es-
arrangement. Rather let concession be the
rule and assault the exception, and we have
no doubt the President and his party will
find common ground upon which to stand
and work for the common good.