The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-11-13

nur,sn.v NOVEMBER l3, 1879
Duty of the Republican Members Of the
Legislature.
The result of the election in Virginia
has confused the relations OF the old par
ties very much, and caused them to assume
attitudes toward each other If the |
declarations of leading men. Of each wing
of the Democratic party are to be taken as
rejecting the sentiment of the factions
they claim identity with, we may reasona-
bly, conclude that their antagonism is as
complete and radical as that which has
heretofore existed between the Conserva-
tive and Republican parties. Certainly
their views upon the State debt question
do not admit of probable harmony, and
that the line which divides them is so abso-
lutte and prominently drawn, that they will
not cooperate with each other on any leg
islation affecting that subject. The feel
ing and conviction which lead to this diver
gence, will, more than probable, enter into
all matters of importance which may come
up for consideration by the Legislature, es-
pecially in the selection of United States
Senator and the basement officers
There will be difficulty presented at the
outset of the deliberations in the Legisla-
ture, as to what Reimbursement MEANS
There was no defined plan or purpose for
mulated during the recent canvass by the
Re-adjusters, as to what modification should
be made Of the McCulloch Bill. 1t was
simply The pretense of REIMBURSEMENT I'M
defined, and with no specific method of ac-
complishing it. Even upon this point there
may be wide and irreconcilable differences
among those calling themselves Re-adjus-
tiers, and in endeavoring to reach conclu-
sion, it may be found that serious difficulty
will be encountered, We may assume,
without doing violence to the truth, that
there are many elected as Re-adjusters who
will array themselves against any radical
or revolutionary propositions directed to
the debt proper itself, and whose name of
re-adiustment may be covered by opposi-
ton to the coupon feature of the McCul-
loch Bill, the monopoly given to the Syndi-
cate in the matter of funding, and the pro-
visions OF the Allen amendment-this lat
ter greatly misunderstood and misrepre-
sented. We are sure there are very few
fair minded men even among the Re-adjus-
tiers who will raise a serious question as to
the justice of the debt as presented in the
McCulloch Bill or as to the ability of the
people to pay the amount its provisions re-
quire, and who would not oppose any prop
osition to assail either the principal or in
terest of the debt as ascertained and ar
therefore, be inferred that the simple fact
of electing majority of Re-adius tiers to
the Legislature is verdict in favor of repu-
diation as is assumed by some of our North
ern exchanges. The objection to all the
points we have mentioned above was very
strong with many who favored the Bill as a
whole, but whose desire for settlement of
the controversy upon the practical points
involved in the McCulloch Bill, overcame
their objections to the abstract sentiment
the syndicate monopoly, as well as the
abuse that might have been made of the
Allen amendment. We assume that one of
the ablest of the members of the House of
Delegates, elected as a Re-adjuster-we
mean DR.. S. II. Moffett, of Rockingham
will recognize this view as correct, and that
he, himself, will not deny that the debt as
presented in the McCulloch Bill is sub
stantially that which the State owes and
ought to pay. He locates bis objections on
the points we have stated and not to the
justice of the amount formulated.
With this statement as to the public debt
and the diversity of opinion that may pre-
vail among those elected as Re-adjusters as
to what re-adjustment means, it can be
readily inferred that diversity of conclu-
sion will 'be reacheda as to the methods favored
to effect any re-adjustment. Moderate men
will not be coerced by extreme men, al
though both may be called re-adjusters,
nor will any extreme or revolutionary pro-
gramme be supported by anymember of the
Legislature, under whatever name he may
range, who properly appreciates the
great and vital interests to the State in
JOlved in the action which may be taken.
Apart from the debt question, the Re-
? publican members of the Legislature are
necessarily committed tonothing and even
as to that there has been no specific pledge.
There were no other questions or interests
discussed or presented for discussion during
the canvass just passed. The re-organiza-
ton of the basement offices nor the election
of United Senator did not enter into the
controversy or elicit the opinions of the can
candidates. Upon these points they are at
perfect liberty to act as their judgment and
the interests of their party may require. 1t
therefore becomes plain duty for the twen-
ty-six Republican members elect of the
Senate and House-holding the balance OF
power as they will between the two fac
tions Of the Democratic party-to organize
and act as unit upon every important
question that may come up for the consider
alton of the Legislature. 1t is only in this
way they can make their power be felt, and
command the respect to which they are en-
titled. While we favor no extreme policy,
and no obstinate temper in celebrating and
discussing subjects affecting the welfare OF
the State, it is not unreasonable to expect
that dispassionate presentation of the le-
gal and constitutional rights of colored peo-
pie will be received in the same spirit that
controls in the policy asked to be adopted.
The conservatives Of both wings of that
party elected to the Legislature, whether
re-adjusters or debt-payers, as the terms
go, are equally responsible for the illegal
and unconstitutional restrictions imposed
upon the right of suffrage as reflected in
the prepayment of the poll tax, measure
conceived and adopted to practically dis
franchise many of the colored people, and
the poorer class of white citizens, and which
is in direct conflict with the spirit and letter
of the amendments to the National Con-