The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-07-03
Gen. John Echols.


tic over the success Of the negotiations which
have been in progress for the last month,
for the removal OF the distractions to re-
sumption Of work ON the Lexington and Big
Sandy Railroad, and lavish in their praise Of
the ''manly, dignified and conciliating man.
agement' of the controversy by Gen. Ech-
OILS. The compliment is not inappropriate.
We regard Gen. Echols as one of the ablest
men in the State of Virginia. and his sense
is all practical. There is nothing of the
dreamer or enthusiast about him. While
one OF the best speakers in the State, he
never INDUCES in the fustian and flummery
which generally characterize the efforts OF
our public men. His canvass OF this district
last fall, ranked him among the statesmen
OF the country. His discussion of the intr.
cate problem OF finance, was mastery, and
demonstrated the possession Of abilities
which few men, even in high public posi-
tons, can lay claim to.
He is capable Of serving his State with
eminent success, whatever might be the the.
atre upon which he would be called to act.
He, however, does not belong to the ''rings,"
is not one of the professional politicians and
chronic place hunters, and consequently
stands little chance OF preferment from the
party with which he is identified. His views
of public questions and public policy are
too liberal-his comprehension of the public
needs too broad and statesmanlike to suit
the mercenary schemers and curb-stone
plotters, who rule the dominant party in
Virginia. There are, however. other fields
of useful ende .vor, as evidenced in the labor
he has recently undergone in concentrating
an inestimable good for Virginia, in the ne
gotiations which ecure the western connec-
lions of the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad.
We do not believe there is another man, in
or out OF Virg inia. who could have accom-
plished the result. The public spirited men
OF Kentucky and the management OF the
| Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Company
alike depended on him, and although the
difficulties were at first formidable and ap
parently insurmountable, his tact and abili-
ty won, and two great States, at least. have
nothing but kind words for him. 1t is such
men that the State and nation need in their
public councils, and in directing their at
fairs. Place the average politician, such as
succeed in thrusting themselves into high
public positions in Virginia, in the place
that Gen. Echols filled in the recent vita |
controversy in Kentucky, and where would
they have been? The rings they pander to
the dram shops they substitute, and the
specicus devices they resort to, would have
been absent and out OF place, and they
would have been like the boy the mule
kicked-had nothing to say. They do not
study the material interests OF the people.
They are ambitious only for place and prof.
it,and when these have been attained their end
has been accomplished. They respect the
people only as they can use them for their
own selfish purposes, and care nothing for
the material prosperity and industrial pro-
gress of the country.
How long will Virginia allow such insult
ierabIe demagogues to rule her? How long
will the people permit their real interests to
be subordinated to the schemes OF political
mountebanks? We have the elements OF an
empire within our limits, and it is by such
public enterprises as we have adverted to,and
to such men as Gen Echols, that we must
look for their development, and not to the
trading, scheming politicians who would sac
rifice every public and private interest OF the
State and people to work out their own adj
vancement.
1t is a severe commentary upon Congress
that the entire business representation OF the
nation is anxious for it to adjourn. During
the extra session, running through three
months, there has not been a thought OF the
material welfare of the country. Instead
of really representing the people, as it is
presumed Congress does, there has been no
approximation to rejecting popular desires
and interests. 1t has been one continued
struggle and wrangle for partizan ends, re-
pardless and reckless Of the highest duty OF
a representative body. Necessitating an
extra session, by reason of failure to make
the necessary appropriations for the support
OF government, Congress assembled with
the avowed purpose from leaders OF the DEM
ocratic party to degrade the Executive par
lyze the laws, and throw the country into
chaos, il their revolutionary designs were
not carried into effect. The indignant pro-
test which came up from the conservative
influences of the country, first caused
weakening and then an abandonment OF this
purpose and at last they hinged their case
upon the appropriation for the pay OF the
marshals, so as prevent them from exc
cutting the mandates of the courts, and
arresting the volators of the internal reve-
nue. laws and the open defiers OF the au-
thority OF the government. They will have
to abandon this position, too, or suspend
an important arm of the government. 10 do
either is to invoke upon them the indignant
rebuke OF the people and force the convic-
ton that the country cannot entrust the adj
ministration of the governm ent to partizans
and politicians so reckless of the sanctions OF
fundamental and statute laws and the safe
guards of society.
A. UNEA