The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-10-30

and enlarged and liberal policies, suited to
the demands and interests Of the new order
of things, and the changed relations of COM
munities
Politics South and North.
1t is very evident that some Of the more
intelligent and evenly balanced thinkers of
the South begin to realize the fatal mad
ness which has evcntuated in Democratic
solid South, and the methods which have
brought it about. They see in the spirit
and feeling and purpose manifested all
through the North that solid Republican
North is to confront it, and the estrange-
ment that all good citizens had hoped was
to give way before more catholic and fra
ternal sentiment is to continue, we fear,
with intensified bitterness. This con-
dition of things cannot prove otherwise
than a source of deep and painful regret to
every one who really desires to see the
country prosper, and especially the South
enter upon a career of industrial and ma
terial advancement, for which she has been
so richly endowed by nature. The an
nouncement by the Richmond State is sig
niiicant, after denouncing Gen. Grant but a
few weeks ago as the legitimate outgrowth
of the 'gutter," and the reflex OF s'crude
and uncultureG civilization" that he is
s'perhaps the most conservative of all the
Republican leaders, and would prove the
safest for the South, if we are to Judge his
future by his past" and as the s'only one
who could interpose his mighty conserva-
tive influence between it and this new IA
natical wave, y indicated in the recent stall
wart speech Of Secretary Of State Evarts,
at one time the prince Of eonciliators and
the apostle of peace between the sections.
Not only the State but the Augusta Consti-
nationalist, land several Southern Democratic
papers of lesser note, have intimated SIM
liar line Of policy, showing that they are
seeking to escape from the consequences of
crystalizing the South into solid Demo-
cratic mass, through agencies that cannot
be.defended, and which should be deounnced
and disowned by every Southern man who
desires the peace and welfare Of his section.
That Mr.. Eyarts reflected the judgment and
feeling Of those Republicans who were ac-
tive and aggressive in their efforts to bring
about a better understanding between the
sections, and were in sympathy with the
conciliatory policy inaugurated by the Pres
ident, is attested by the recent speeches In
New York, of Governor elect Foster, Of
Ohio, and Mr.. Burrows, OF Michigan, and
of Secretary Sherman, at Patterson, New
Jersey. In fact, every public utteraAce
from Republican leaders in the North, OF
late, has affirmed the purpose to have the
laws of the land respected, and the politi-
cal rights and privileges Of every voter, how
ever humble, defended and enjoyed, even if
sterner legislation has to be resorted to for
that purpose.
No one could regret these expressions OF
feeling and sentiment and the alleged ne
cessity for them, more than do We. We
had hoped that the common sense of the
country would see the right and the ex-
pediency of living up to the laws, dealing
fairly and justly with the enfranchised race
and denying them no privilege which the
laws guarantee. But as the State, good
Democratic authority, says: ''The shot
gun policy. including ballot-box stufing
and negro intimidation, known as BULLDOG
ing, which has been practiced in the Cot
ton States, has been the scandal OF the
Democratic party and cost it ten times all
that was ever gained by it, or that can be
attained through such criminal means, no
matter how long continued or to what ex-
tent carried. So long as there is any sus-
picion at the North that unfair methods
are used in those States to deprive the me-
gro, who is of course, naturally Repub-
lican, of his constitutional right to vote as
he may desire to exercise that right, or
there is danger to his personal safety
through his open profession Of partieu-
lar political faith, just SO long will the
Democratic party have to contend against
a North made solid by this blindand ruin
Gus policy"
This is, we know, unpalatable to those
who allow prejudice to control their reason,
but it is Democratic presentation OF the
case, which ought to command the close at
tention and the most impartial eonsidera-
ton of every citizen of the South.
Look at the facts as they stand recorded
in the legislation of the country. The
amendments to the National Constitution,
which gave the negro his freedom and citi-
zenship and clothed him with the elective
franchise, were incorporated into the Con-
stitution of every Southern State. The
duty was as sacred to see that every right
thus guaranteed was enjoyed, without mo-
lestation, as any other immunity assured by
the fundamental law of each State. Upon
the faith that the adoption Of these amend
ments was sincere, and that it was the pur-
pose to give full effect and force to them,
the political power of the South was In
creased, and representation enlarged in
Congress and the Electoral College CORES
ponding with this enlargement Of the pop
ular franchise. No other thought was en-
tertained but that perfect freedom would
uS lSSVEAILCN Aoi NtSAJ sOSSA w S0SASs1S
the right Of suffrage as lie desired, and that
the representatives in the popular branch
of Congress and the electoral college would
reflect the sentiment OF the constitutuent
body as thus formed and constituted. This
was the solemn pledge of the Southern
States. There was no reservations-no con-
ditions, expressed Or implied, that did not
the binding force Of these enact
ments.
We do not think there is an intelligent
mind in the South that will assert that these
guarantees have been faithfully observed,
and that the exercise of the right OF suff-
rage in the Cotton States. especially, has
been attended with unreseryed freedom.
The political power has been asserted. but
The franchise upon which it Is based has
been denied, and the whole purpose and
intent of the legislation which secures this
political power has been ignored and de-
MED, through the methods described by
he State, as quoted above. Gov. Foster,