The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-08-26

would thus become conservative factor IN
Virginia politics and legi Station, and be in
strumental in effecting great good to the
body polite.
Discussion on Saturday Night.
The discussion between Capt. Paul and
Judge Allen last Saturday night, was not
exactly edifying as to issues which should
divide candidates for Congress. The only
aIlusion to national affairs made during the
debate came from Capt. Paul. He con-
tended that change in the admi nistratton
of the government and the parties con-
trolling should be made. as means of cor
recting abuses which always crept in dur
ing the long continuance of a party in
power. There was no argument adduced
to sustain this assumption, nor was line
of policy marked out for Democratic adj
ministration to pursue. 1t was simply a
naked assertion that change ought to be
made--a change from policies and princi-
pies which have brought the country to an
unparalleled condition of prosperity given
employment to labor, stimulated material
development, and promoted all the inter-
ests of the people-to theories and notions
directly antagonizing those which have
brought about such results. Two years ago
Capt. Paul assailed the financial system OF
the Republican party, and argued that
s.. 900, 100000 of Green backs ought to be
issued to pay off the national debt. and the
'bloated bondholders' sent adrft with their
money-bags, as horde of tramps. seeking
employment for their means. Had his ad-
vice then been taken and his theory reduced
to practice, we to day could look upon idle
furnaces, suspended factories, and wide
spread desolation lowering over all the in
dustrial enterprises of the nation. While
Capt. Paul said nothing harsh against the
Republican party, the simple fact that he
wished to see the administrat ion changed
to the control Of the Democratic party, car
ried with it the induction into govern
ment of Democratic theories and measures,
andareversal of the policy which has contrib
country. The inference is plain, that il
elected he would address himself to the
work of supporting Democratic methods and
opposing Republican methods.
Judge Allen scarcely alluded to National
questions. His time was consumed in de-
tending his record as member of the Leg
islature of Virginia, and assailing that OF
his competitor. But in his Harrisonburg
speech he planted himself squarely upon
the Cincinnati platform and defended it,
plank by plank, discussing from Demo
cratic stand point, the tariff question and
the revenue system, and maintaining the
notions of the Democratic party on these
subjects.
We wish to call the attention of the Re-
publicans of this District to the fact that
the two candidates before them are COM
mitted against the administ ration of the
Republican party in all of its ramifcations.
They declare their support of Hancock and
English and their opposition to Garfield
and Arthur, and are urging the people to
support the former and defeat the latter
Every vote cast for either is a vote cast for
the Democratic candidates and against the
Republican candidates. 1t is a vote against
Republican principles and policy and for
Democratic principles and policy. The
views of neither upon the State debt issue
or any other State question, properly recog-
nizable by the State Legislature, can be
introduced in the halls of Con gress. Re-
adjustefs and Funders, in the Virginia
sense of the terms, are not known in that
| body, and hence their opinions on that mat
ter have no practical application. They
| would there be called upon to consider
questions and measures dividing the two
great national parties, and upon these both
of them are committed against the Repub
lcan party and would vote against it, ex-
cept on the question of finance, where
Judge Allen is more in accord with the Re-
publican party than Capt. Paul was two
yearslago. AS to what his views now are he
has not informed the public during this
canvass.
We entertain very decided views about
the ballot and its sanctity. 1t is the instru-
ment which expresses principles and con-
victions and infuses them into government,
through the representatives chosen by the
people. Its Importance and dignity cannot
be over-estimated in our system of gov
eminent, for it is the source of all author
| ity and power. When honestly exercised
it is power for good, but when deposited
| to crafty mere partizan feeling, or to ac-
complish mere selfish purpose regardless
OF the principles at issue between candi-
dates or before the country, it is prosti-
tuition of a great constitutional privilege.
In this contest for Congress we have no
announced candidate who represents Re-
publican principles and convictions, and
should the authorities OF the party not take
the proper steps to present a candidate, we
cannot see how Republicans, who respect
their opinions and convictions, can vote
for either Judge Allen or Capt. Paul.
| The man who will deliberately circulate
what he knows to be a fasehood is as contemp
| tible AS he who ORIGINATES it, The tSDecttyt0r of