The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-09-25
Lost Opportunity"


We have been, within the past few weeks
accosted with the remark that we had lost
the opportunity Of our life" to build up
n Republican party in Virginia. When
we have asked, how? the response has come
-sBy not supporting the action of the Mo
Fart conference and the Re-adjusters.
We, of course, do not put much faith in
such opportunities" In discussing the
debt question we have made parties secon-
dairy to the welfare of the State, If the
popular mind is in a healthy condition and
the interests of the people prosperous, it
matters very little about political organi-
cations, unless the policy of party is cal
culated to initiate against public interests.
Two years ago, when we undertook to dis
cuss the debt question, we had two objects
in our mind. First, to force the settlement
of the debt question upon the basis of an
equitable REIMBURSEMENT of the conditions
embraced in the legislation of 1871, and
second, to so disrupt the Conservative par
ty, that an exposure Of the faults and vir-
tues, if any it had, of that organization
would necessarily follow. Both objects
have been accomplished, even to more
gratifying degree than we expected. The
withdrawal of the Republicans from the
contest of 1877, relieved the discussion of
the debt issue of all irrelevant embarrass-
ments, and at the same time deprived the
chronic demagogues of their staple appeal to
popular prejudice against the "negro, carpet
Dagger and scalawag." The Conservatives
now are as much mixed up with the NEGRO,
the carpet-bagger and the scalawag" as the
Republicans, ahdssthis appeal hereafter will
have very little effect.
AS Republicans we have no disposition
to avail of such Opportunities" as it is as
sumed are presented in the present atti-
tude of the two wings of the Conservative
party. We do not believe in expedients
and subterfuges as the basis ofparty organ
ization, OF as the elements which should
constitute parties. The Republican party
has great cardinal principles, addressing
themselves to the intelligent judgment and
conscience of the country, and 1t is upon
these that it rests its claims to popular con-
fidence. 1t has indicated its right to pop
ular approval in the achievements it pre-
sents in the financial and business condi-
ton of the country. The success of it's
financial policy, around which all other pol
icies revolve and are subordinate, is the
wonder of the thinking world; its pol
icy and principles are illustrated in the
marvellous achievements Of our man
ufactories, and throughout all industrial
avenues the results of its wise adn1inistra-
ton are now cheering the hearts and the
homes of the people. Its fidelity to public
obligations and public faith in nation and
State is steady and unfaltering. Upon
these cardinal ideas its structure is builded.
1t disdains to compromise its high character
and principles by catching at passing ex-
pedients, and would prefer to struggle in
the minority and maintain its consistency,
than to seek coalition that would imply
surrender of principle.
The discussion of the public debt ques-
ton, free from the entanglements which an
organized participancy Of the Republicans
would have inspired, and the consequent
disentegration of the Conservative party
have iberalized public thought and opened
the way for a calm and impartial COMPARE
son of the national policies of the two par
ties. This is an important point gained.
We ask no other favor or advantage than
such comparison, convinced that the in
telligence of the State will readily recognize
the eminent adaptability of the principles
and policy of the party to the needs of the
country and its prosperity. Indeed, we
expect to see the day when the Republican
party of Virginia will number among its
adherents much of the intelligence, wealth
and moral worth of the State, and rule its
destinies. Wehave an abiding faith in the
final triumph of the right in government,
and with the salutary principles of the Re-
publicans, affecting the material interests
of the people and the advancement of the
industrial forces of the entire country, the
time is not very distant when the despotism
OF prejudice will give way before the adj
vance Of reason, and the acceptance of the
benefcent creed of the Republican party.