The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-03-28
Attacking the Administration.

Senator Howe, of Wisconsin, on Monday
last. delivered in the United States Senate
his widely advertised assault upon the adj
ministration. 1t was severe IN condemna-
tion of the Presidents Southern policy, ana
particularly sarcastic in the criticism OF the
Louisiana action, claiming that Mi. hayes
had invalidqted his own title as President
in consenting to the displacement OF Pack
ard as Governor OF Louisiana and the IN
stallation of Nichols. His assault upon
Secretary Shurz was bitter and coarse, eX-
hibiting more of the angered partlzan than
the Senator aspiring to craftsmanship.
Throughout, the remarks OF the Senator
were characterized by passion and prejudice
more than by that elevated tone of the pa
triot discussing questions and policies upon
their merits, and with a desire to subserve
public good rather than selfish spleen.
We cannot see the excuse for this attack
upon the administration. While we do not
approve every official act OF the President,
no fair man will question the purity of his
motives, nor can it be gainsaid that he is
literally carrying out the declarations OF the
Cincinnati platform, his letter of acceptance
and his inaugural address. Ii those author
itative announcements were no: intended
to deceive, there should be no complaint as
to the general spirit of the policy OF the
President. Ii it was expected to secure an
election by one line Of policy and pro-
tha we
ted, then the calculations of those who pur-
posed this double-dealing have miscarried
The President promised and has fulfilled
and no intelligent Republican can honestly
say that promises and performance have no
been in harmony. We venture tie asser
ton, too, that no sagacious politician would
undertake to shape national campaign
upon the utterances and views OF Senate
Howe, in preference to the administrative
acts, take them as whole, of the Fresiden MT
The one appeals to prejudices and passions
originating in sectional disputes and con
flicts, and the other to sentiment OF nation
al determination, invoking the higher ambi
lions of citizenship and looking to tie harnlo
uS dIlu IuC ptOSHCltbS VI 1tAS SiipiiS SOAAeAJ
The aspirations of the people are now 10
peace-the obliteration of past ascerblties
and the oneness of the nation in feeling ant
sympathy, as well as in name; and no par
ty can afford to disregard the yearnings o
the popular heart.
Senator Howe has made mistake-com
mitted-a grave blunder-as he will find on
before another Presidential election is helt
and that he has accomplished for hirHse
more harm than he has inflicted on tn
President Rejecting men everywher
recognize the fact that the principles an
purposes of the Republican party have bee
accepted by the country at large in the pra
teal enforcement of the Constitution an
laws. 1t was for this we contended, an
now that there is no organized opposition
the amendments to the Constitution al
the consummated facts of history, it is III
wise to seek 20 arouse feeling and pref
dice growing out of the antagonisms whic
once existed in relation to them. The Rt
publican party has nothing to gain by sue
policy-the national feeling of the gre
mass of the people is averse to it; an
when the issue is joined and appeal made
the ballot, as between the Presidel
and the Senator. representing two ii
tInct lines of national policy, it will
found that the President will be sustaine
President HAYES is not disturbed by Sci
ator Howe's attack. He is willing to re
his administration upon its acts, and lea
the verdict to the people. He can well affo
to do so.