The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-05-01
THE VALLEY VIRGINIAN
sTAUNToN, VIRGINIA.
A Solid South.

A Solid South.
The New York Herald, in commenting
on the recent great speech of Senator
Conkling on the army bill, advances some
timely and sensible reflections in relation
to matters growing out of the subject dis
cussed. 1t says: ''lIr. Conkling's vigorous
exposure, in the latter half OF his speech,
of the folly and mischief of s'united
South" deserves the thoughtful reflection
OF the leaders OF Southern opinion and OF
all the citizens of that section. The natu-
raj tendency Of a united South is to pro-
duce a united North, and the North being
by far the most populous and powerful sec
ton, the South must necessarily get the
worst of it in every sectional encounter
1t is a calamity to the South and misfor-
tune to the country that there is not
Southern Republican party under able white
leadership and composed to considerable
extent of the property holding class. Our
unfortunate sectional antagonisms will nev-
er cease until both the geographical line
and the color line are obliterated and polit-
zeal parties are separated by differences of
principle on questions OF equal interest to
all parts of the country
Every thoughtful and impartial reader
must arrive at the same conclusion that the
Herald has reached. The material advance
nlent of the South cannot be effected so
long as parties are organized upon race and
sectional issues and crystalized upon race
and sectional lines. 1t is not because the
people think that such policy is necessary
or conducive to any desirable end, that they
patiently submit to its existence, but for the
reason that they have become so accustomed
to following the lead of partizan agitators,
and obeying the mandate OF the caucus,
without giving expression in positive or
aggressive form to their real opinions. Ii
they think for themselves they do not fol-
low their own thoughts into organized form
and independent action. The few manipu-
late and devise for selfish purposes and the
many follow, without raising a question as
to the effect upon material welfare, or with
perity of their State or section.
We may assume it as a fact that there
will be no marked or general improvement
in the condition of the Southern States, I'M
til the in1lammatory demagogues who live
and thrive upon sectional disputations and
passions are driven to the rear, and the
practical. sturdy sense of conservative men
is forced from its retirement into represen-
tative positions. Questions OF state policy
inspire differences of .opinion and organ
lied antagonists. and command discussion
upon their merits but when it comes to
national issues, although there may be, as
there is, as wide divergence in senti-
ment, under the direction of caucus dicta-
ton and appeals to passion, a solid column
moves forward to record the decree OF the
assumed leaders. 1t is not reasonable to
suppose that nearly the entire white popu-
lation of Virginia, for instance, exercising
unbiased and impartial Judgment, would
act as one man upon national issues, if free
thought and volition governed such action.
1t only demonstrates that some kind of des-
potism is exercised to produce such re-
suits, and the fact Of the results is a warn
ing to others who might desire to locate
amongst us, that they will have to submit
to the despotism, or be prescribed. What
ever may be the motive for the oneness of
association to which we have alluded, the
logical effect is to keep from us those who
have been accustomed to different state
of things-a wider liberty in the processes
of thought more catholic influence in the
determination of political action and affili-
alton.
The material salvation of the South de-
ponds upon the disruption Of its political
oneness-the formation OF parties upon
honest difference of opinion in relation to
national questions and policy, so that men
ofwhatever views may find congenial polit-
ical association, and feel free from embar-
rassment in the exercise and expression of
their opinions upon issues of State and ma
ton. A solid Democratic South is the evil
dence of solid sectional feeling, which is
solid barrier to the ingress Of capital and
enterprise, and must produce, as one Of its
certain fruits, solid political North, with
all that such antagonism implies. 1t is use
less for the South to invite attention to her
unsurpassed material resources, her vast
fields for enterprise and capital, her soil,
climate, minerals, water-power and limit
less natural wealth, so long as the harsh
and forbidding crest Of sectional oneness is
raised to repel and turn aside the essential
means for their development. Practical
craftsmanship must come to our rescue, land
communities and States learn to live for
ward and not backward square up to the
condition Of things as we find it,and recog-
nize the changes which have been effected
in the political relations of the people and
country. 1t is defying destiny itself to still
cling to obsolete ideas and nourish pref
udices, which, whatever the assumed prov
ocation, should have no place in formulating
a policy for the South. We have great fu-
tlrre before us. if controlled by an enlight-
ened consideration for the advanced senti-
ment of the country, and discard the mar
row channel of thought which has warped
and dwarfed all the interests which go to
make up great people. Let us be true
to ourselves, scorn into retirement the in
fammatory politicians, who seek nothing
but self, and move forward upon a broad
understanding of our relations to the
whole country, and liberal Interpretation
of all the rights which pertain to American
citizenship.
p Developing Brazil.
A cable telegram on the oath from Lon
don, communicates the Information that the
against the English bondhoiders of the Ma
leria and. Mamore Railroad, in Brazil, for
81, 100000 has been decided in favor of the
plaintiffs, thus restoring that fund and giving
.,rantical and active effect to the contract OF