The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-08-21

10 admit OF controversy as to the motives
which have controlled in the disreputable
trick. The State Central Committee of the
Conservative party had no more right to
appropriate the debt bill as a partizan
measure, than they would have to assume
the paternity af the ten commandments,
and there is just about as much Apostle
ness in their claim to exclusive ownership
in that bill, as there would be to assert an
exclusive proprietary interest in the deca-
logue, after violating one of its most sacred
canons-"thou shalt not steal.'' Indeed,
the fact stands prominently out, in the
congratulations Of two-thirds of the or
gans OF the organization they pretend to
represent, that it was more for the ''pa,ty''
than it was for the State, or the settlement
OF the debt question, that this partizan de-
vice was adopted, for in journals where we
had believed higher motives would govern,
the first sentence we read is, the ssgreat
Conservative party' has been saved. 1t was
parity and not patriotism, which gov
erned in this Legitimate and surreptious
appropriation, which involves an insult to
the intelligence and honesty of the people
OF the Commonwealth, by assuming that
it required the command of thirteen caucus
representatives to teach them their duty to
themselves and their State.
The State Central Committee seem to be
Ignorant of the fact that the caucus har-
ness rests very lightly and loosely upon
the shoulders of the people, and that it re-
quires very little provocation for them to
toss it aside as useless encumbrance.-
The wrongs which have been perpetrated
upon the State in the name of 'sparty'' are
too fresh in the popular mind to be easily
forgotten. The plea of party necessities
has been at the bottom of much of the en-
barrassment growing out of the debt ques-
ton, and party necessities have been inter-
posed to cover up all kinds of irregulari-
ties compromising the interests of the peo-
pie. The edict Of ''the party" has been law
in Virginia until the very earth cries out
against the despotism, for its neglected
fields tell of absent energy to utilize them
and the fresh, vigorous youth that has been
driven to other and less restricted COM
munities. 1t has been ''party," ''party, :"
until the people have, almost lost hope, the
State neglected, the bountiful provisions Of
nature unutilized, land all thata few profess
sional politicians might live at their ease upon
the sweat and toll of the masses. An
awakened sense of wrongs endured is STIR
ring the people, and the days of caucus
despotism are numbered. This last act de-
signed for its perpetuation will only the
more surely work out its. doom.
The debt question disposed of, the time
will have arrived for thoughtful men, who
have at heart the prosperity of the State,
to address themselves to such methods as
will best accomplish that end, and the for
nation of such political associations as will
inspire confidence throughout the country
in the catholic purposes to be subserved,
and the administrative principles to be sus-
tanned. This policy will necessarily force
to the rear the mere partizan schemers and
agitators, and bring to the front the gem
uine craftsmanship of the State, which re-
CARDS the welfare of the people as higher
than the DEGREES Of party, and honest, con-
sentative principles of government as of
more importance than the personal ambi-
tons of professional politicians.