The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-11-06
Conservative Counsel.

South The article is written from a
Southern and Democratic standpoint, and
ssIf We would but second the efforts Of
the President for peace in this section by a
proper enforcement Of the laws made for
the protection of the rights of all, even the
lowest in the land, and endeavor to secure
perfect freedom of action and speech, as
guaranteed to every American citizen by
the Constitution, we should at once disarm
this northern faction, which grows and
fattens upon the food we supply it, and
gain thousands upon thousands of friends
there, who would unite eagerly with us in
driving this party of the war, which still
lives upon its funeral baked meats, into the
grave through the sure process of starva-
ton. Common sense would seem to teach
us that this is the proper course for us to
pursue here, and when will we arrive at
that calm condition Of mind where reason
and the dictates of our best interests shall
resume their sway, and be sufficiently pow
erful to control our unbridlcd impulses,
which lead us into the commission Of these
excuses ON the slightest and most unpro-
voked and unnecessary occasions?
We must put a stop to this evil system,
which has not only brought reproach upon
us. but is leading to our political and ma
terial as well as moral ruin. We cannot at
ford to longer permit our political affairs to
be controlled by mob violence, and the shot
gun policy of Mississippi and Louisiana
must either have an end or these States OF
the Border must cease to hold communion
with them in self-defense, by entirely with
drawing their sympathy and refuse to prof
it by the Illegal methods they adopt, and
which, if persisted in, can only bring disas-
ter upon all our interests and hopes"
1t is not necessary to remind our readers
that the sentiment announced in the con-
Guiding part of the above extract, is that
which We have been endeavoring to incul-
cate for years past. Had it controlled the
political action of the Southern States forthe
past few years, and President Hayes con-
ciliatory and friendly advances been prop
erly appreciated and recognized, the s'stal-
wart" speeches Of Secretary Evarts, Gov.
Foster, Secretary Sherman, and others
would not have been conceived or uttered,
nor would we be called upon to witness a
great Presidential contest organizing upon
purely sectional lines. As we have repeat
edly declared through these columns, and
that which the common sense OF every i'm
partial Southern thinker must sooner or
later endorse, there will be no peace for the
South, nor indeed for the country, until the
spirit and letter of the amendments to the
National Constitution are practically lived
up to, and the rights they guarantee exer-
cised without fear of molestation. Had
there been as earnest and sincere effort to
carry into practical effect the constitutional
amendments and the laws enacted in pur-
suance of them, as there has been purpose
to eyade and defeat them, different feelings
would now pervade both sections, old party
lines be materially modified, and practical
questions of administrative policy, affect
ing the business interests of the country.
engage the attention of the people. Harm
and nothing but harm to both sections can
flow from the present attitude Of parties,
and the incessant diversion Of the popular
mind from the practical business princi-
pies which lie at the base of governmental
policies. And it is to be earnestly hoped
that the conservative and courageous views
of the State will receive that consideration
their solid merit deserves. 1t is time the
representative men Of the intelligence and
wealth of the South were looking higher
than the organization Of aparty upon pref
udice and passion, and considering as para
mount to the qualification ofhates which
chnu1d 1ono cinon Ia vo bnop h,,riad tho M
terial interest and development OF their Sec
ton. What can the South gain through the
influence of the Democratic party as now
constituted? That which we most need, is
that which the incessant sectional tumult
and agitation is keeping from us-intelli-
gent enterprise and capital-and that which
will stay away from us SO long as the pres
ent Democratic leaders direct their conduct
by the narrow, impractical and selfish views
of public questions which now control
them. We do not believe the great mass Of
the people sympathize with those who have
managed to subordinate political organiza-
tions to their own advancement, and per-
vert legislative trusts to sectional partizan
ends. There are important questions Of
public policy which directly affect the ma
terial welfare of the whole country, and
especially Of the South, which should COM
mand the serious thought and earnest sup
port of the Southern people, for of all por.
tions ofthc Union the South is more. deeply
interested in the permanent maintenance
of sound financial system and that kind
of Legislation which fosters home indus.
tries and gives aid and encouragement to
industrial enterprises. The present finan-
cial system ..of the government, in which
the national banks .enter as an important
and indispensable element, and the.present
tariff laws, so far as they apply to Ameri'
can manufactures, are questions directly
appealing to the intelligence and under.
standing Of the Southern people for theil
approval because, Jour. material advance
ment is intimately associated with. a steady
standard of values, and the fostering care
of new Industries which are now springin
into active existence in the iron and Goa
districts OF our section. Such issues are ra-
tional and division of sentiment upon then
would be natural, in the North and South
and go far to relieve the popular mini
from the fierce turmoil and contention
growing out of .sectional1politics, and cor
rect the evils to which the State has peril
nently, forcibly and Justly. referred
The most propitious day that ever dawned
upon the South will be that which shall
witness the disintegration of the sole
| Democratic South, and the recognition o.
| those practical issues of governmental poll
cy which have equal application North ani
South, and with which our material pros
perity is closely blended.
Judge Harris Position.
The Washington correspondent of Alex
andria Gazette, Oct. 3lst says:
Judge John T. Harris, member Of Con-
gress from the Rockingham district O. Vir
einia, is still in the city, but will leave fol
his home tomorrow. The Judge says ht