The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-11-28
A Solid South''--A "Solid North.

Staunton," INDUCES in respectful and well
meant criticism of the editorial conduct OF
the VIRGINIAN, in connection with the ten.
dency of recent events to array .sSolid
North and West" against "Solid South.''
We cheerfully give insertion to his commu.
nicatien, and it will afford us pleasure at
all times to open our columns for the ex-
preston of his views upon this or any
other subject, as well as to others of cur in
telligent readers and patrons who may moi
agree with us.
1t is not our purpose to enter into an eX.
tended disputation upon the points raised
by "West of Staunton.' 1t is a theme we
have no Partially for, and what we have
written upon that subje ct has been from a
sincere desire to awaken the people of Vir-
ginia to reflection upon the folly of linking
their fortunes and destiny with those Of the
extreme men of the South. We have WV
id recollection of the events OF 1860, and
the methods adopted to drag Virginia into
the scheme of secession and the Southern
step, and almost imperceptbly the work
was accomplished, and with what Impotence
any exposure of the dangers that threatened
was received by those who were directing
the affairs of the State. While the same
sanguinary results may not follow a like
secti onal contest now, we can see nothing
but harm to Virginia in the policy of po-
litically 'Solid South,'' represented by the
same party and the same character Of men
who controlled in 1860, and by the agencies
now employed to secure that ''solid Sonth.;'
We do not question the sincerity of the
belief of cur correspondent, when he as
sumes that the result of the recent elections
was effected under the forms and in accor-
dance with the spirit of the laws. From
his standpoint he may have satisfactory
statements to justify his conclusion; but
we assure him the weight of the testimony
and the reason of the case are against the
positions he assumes, In no contest where
the two great parties of the country have
been drawn up in battle array, has the re-
Gently enfranchised class, as such, ever
voted for anything else than for the party
which secured then the privilege Of voting,
if free ballot was allowed. That a free
ballot does not exist in South Carolina we
have only to point to the ''Red Shirt Or
ganizatioE which patrolled the State, armed
and equip ped as for military enterprise, in
fI,o info nf hot
Cratic party-to the character of the ballots
cast, and the unblushng frauds committed.
With equal aversion must the methods to
secure s'solid South" in Louisiana and
Alabama be regarded, the proofs to estab-
fish the illegality of which can easily be ad-
duced, and are overwhelming in volume and
convincing in array. We have refrained
from producing these evidences in our col
umns for the reason that Our aim is to allay
rather than excite sectional feeling, and
what we have written has been more to
warn against the suicidal folly OF parti-
Fan ''solid South,' than to indulge in a
spirit of ce insure and elimination.
A 'ssolid SOUTH on the finance question,
were that possible, could not present, by
any means, parallel to solid Democrat
ic South. Our correspondent knows as
well as we do that no section OF the
Uni on, where popular volition is free to de-
termine the relative merits Of conflicting
policies of government, would array itself
for one or the other upon the strict line of
color, and in obedience TO the preiudices
growing out of the reconstruction legisla-
ton. The organization of the Democratic
party South has directed all OF its author
ity and power to di scountenance any di-
vision upon the finance OF any other ones
tion, regarding as paramount ''solid DEM
ocratic South" without reference to any
principle of governmental policy, affecting
the currency, the CO mmerce, or the internal
or foreign interests of the nation The best
minds in the Democratic party, when brought
to the consideration of the financial policy
of the government, recognize in it eminent
craftsmanship and the supremest wisdom,
yet will proclaim for the ''sold South re-
gardess of the success or failure Of that
policy. A 'solid South,' in the interest OF
a party identified with section alism, and a
theory of go vernment which plunged the
country into bloody internecine conflict,
is considered of more Importance and OF
higher dignity than the success OF sys-
ton of finance Which involves not only our
national prosperity, but our character as a
s,,; A., o1ofio TO f1,o re
of the world. This kind of a 'ssolid South
is wrong it is harmful to the South itself,
and as ''like begets like" will as certainly
form ''solid North" and {. s'soiid West,'
against 'ssolid South,'' as effect follows
cause. And this is the condition of the
question which has to be considered, if this
''solid South policy is to be pursued. No
specious refining or plausible sentimental
ism, will prevent it, Or avert the crystali-
cation of parties upon sectional prejudices
and antagonisms, without reference to
''ideas" affecting the administration Of the
affairs of the government and the true in
terests of the country. To "endorse solidly"
this device is dangerous, and it is because it
is dangerous we argue against it, as a
Southern born, and sympathizing with the
peace and welfare of the section of our ma
tivity.
The fact is, the Democratic party has no
national policy upon the finance or any 9th.
er issue. There is not cardinal principle
of the old Democratic party that it main
tains. 1t took up Greeley in 1872 and sang
peansi of praise to his name and fame, when
lie had been the most bitter and relentless |
enemy both the party and the South ever
lad. 1t rallied under Tlden in 1876, who rep
'esented all that Greeley had denounced,a and |
whom Greeley had implicated in the most
outrageous election frauds that ever shocked |
he moral sense of the nation. Its tenets of |
political faith," ma intained by the ''illus-
rious predecessors, f" brought ruin and des-
lation upon the country, crimsoned with
he life current of the bravest and best of
he land almost every foot CT Southern
oil, and hung the sable emblems of woe
nd death in every household. Its past re-
ord cannot be invoked to inspire confidence
q its future wisdom, and if there was moth.
lg else to stir the repulsion of the people,