The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-07-24
Partizan Prejudice.

If men would take practical view OF
politics-address themselves to the consider
alton of their political associations and the
principles which govern in them, as they do
in their business relations, there would be a
different state of political affairs to that
which exists. The business enterprises of
the North are governed and directed by
gentlemen who believe in the Republican
party. The conservative influences which
keep in check in the North the extreme
theories and notions of the ignorant and de-
signing. come from the representative men
of the Republican party. The wealth, the
intelligence, the business enterprise OF the
country, are located with the same class OF
men. It is with such that the intelligence
of the South should be allied. The Demo.
cratic prty OF the North is led by the most
INSCRIPTIONS demagogues and professional
politicians, who find material to operate on
in the ignorant masses WHO constitute the
rank and fl'e there of that organizations
Controlled by no deep conviction OF right
and Justice. they have never been true to any
thing. They have deceived the South when
ever they have been trusted. They have
nroyen false to their own section III every
emergency. Yet the Southern people covet
their alliance, knowing that they cannot be
trusted, anu that the intelligence. the char
acter'and the wealth of the North are ar
rayed against them. This too, when we'll
informed Southerners, Who'll study political
events and governmental prtcples,are con-
vnced that the principles of the Republican
party are right and conducive to industrial
progress. healthy laws and sanitary admins
tratiye policy.
An influential capitalist OF the East, in
terested IN the coal and iron inter- SITS OF
Virginia and West Virginia, remarked to a
gentleman of this place, some weeks since,
that if Virginia had kept in the Republican
column, after voting for Gen. Grant in 1872,
there would now be $20,000,0 900 invested to
aid in the development CT the wonderful re-
sources of this section. The fact is that the
intelligence OF the South preferred associa-
ton with the ignorance of the North, be-
cause it went by the name OF Democrat, TO
the intelligence and wealth of the orth.
! for the reason that they were identified with
the Republican name, was evidence that
prejudice, and not reason and conviction
prevailed. 1t was this that was keeping
capital and enterprise from Virginia,
and will continue to lave its influence
in that direction, for where prejudice
predominates over reason an unhealthy and
uninviting spirit must exist. Converse with
intelligent mena nd they will admit that the
principles OF the Republican party are right
that the influence they exert is conserva-
tive, keeping down the agrarian and is
matte tendency OF the less informed and the
ignorant, and conserving the best interests
of society and government-yet will turn
from the party name that represents all they
approve and ally themselves with best which
reflects all that they condemn. If the hon
est thoughts of the intelligence OF the South
could find expression in political utilization,
it would be found cooperating with the Re
publican party-the intelligence and sagac-
! ity and craftsmanship of the North and
South uniting to enact wise laws, build up
| their mutual interests, strengthen the
bonds of union. and enlarge the influence
and add to the grandeur OK Republican In
situations.