The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-09-02

iatiOnaI growth and deyelopmenC ana
,ower, can at all times feel that the wages
hey receive is money, possessing equal i
ralue in every State and Territory of the ]
United States. II a national bank suspends {
or breaks, the government holds the secu-
,ity which makes the notes in the hands OF
the people good-each representation OF
dollar equal to standard dollar. The ma
tional bank act imposes a prohibitory tax
upon State bank issues, and hence the
only currency we have is national bank and
greenback paper, gold and silver, the one
equal to the other, and each worth one
hundred cents. We hope to soon see the
greenbaeks withdrawals that the currency
system will be perfect, and free from the
agitation of demagogues and the direct is
suing agency of the government.
These two theories of banking represent |
the operations Of two distinct theories OF
government-National sovereignty and
State sovereignty-and we have selected this
illustration so as to bring the ideas embraced
down to the every day business concerns OF
the people. Apply the State sovereignty
theory, and it would inhibit the government
from legislating upon the subject ofpaper cur
rency and relegate the whole question to the
management of the States. But many who
act with the Democratic party and subscribe
to the superficial ranting about centraliza-
ton charged against the Republican party,
favor the national banking system, scarcely
thinking that it is one of the expressions
inflicted by the government under Repub-
lican administration, just as Mr.. Reagan, 4
State sovereignty Democrat, favors an In
ternational railroad regulations and Mr.. Nor
gan would strip the States of almost all
power in determining the Electoral College.
These two propositions from these two
Southern State sovereignty Democrats, en-
brace more Capitalization than was ever
proposed in all the legislation enacted by
the Republican party within its history.
1t is perfectly competent for Congress,
under cur view Of its constitutional limita-
lions, to enact uniform laws, applying to all
national elections, and general educational
system, looking to the perpetuity OF our
form of government through the intelli-
gence of the constituent body. Gen. Gar
field has forcibly stated the reasons for the
first proposition, and the other should ad-
dress itself to the approval of all citizens,
who are laboring to advance the general
good.
Not only this, but it is proper for Con-
- Ion ip1,t c of
the humblest citizen at home and abroad,
and to see that the laws enacted for such
protection are enforced at any cost. The
election farces in some States of the South,
where the elective franchise is mere mock
cry to more than half OF the citizens recog-
nized as such by the Constitution and laws,
should be arrested by the firm enforcem ent
OF the laws, let the consequences fall where
and upon whom they may, and every citi-
zen be protected in the rights the laws as
sure him.
National sovereignty looks to Ma
tional advancement and the prosperity Of the
Union. State sovereignty contains the seeds
ofdissension, perpetual strife and dissolution.
National sovereignty contemplates no in
reference with the municipal arrangements
of the State which do not conflict with ma
tional laws. State sovereignty is in direct
conflict with the powers of the govern
ment, would absorb them, and in fact, is
based upon the theory that the national gov
eminent is but an agent of the States, SUI
coordinate in authority and dignity.
There is no guarantee for the perpetuity
of the Union, except in the theory of ma
tional sovereignty, and there is no way to
maintain this theory, except by the defeat
of the Democratic party. Democratic sue
cess would presage trouble for the coun-
try, not probably Immediately, but at some
future period, for the dogma of State Sow
eregnty which would be endorsed by its
success, would grow and its influence spread
until its legitimate fruits would develop in
warning sections and possibly contending
| petty Republics. That it is the accepted
| theory ofthat party is clearly demonstrated
by the citations of the views of the leading
Democratic members of the Senate and
House of Representatives, made the basis
cnLlrG
line of thought presented by Gen. Hampton
in his Stanton speech. It is true those
who contend for the doctrine, resent the
idea of secession, and point to the amended
constitution as settling the question of
Union perpetuity. But acc ept the princi-
pie, and the results cannot be foretold.-
The guarantees of the G constitution are
secuted in other respects, and may be in
this. The danger lies in he doctrine, and
| until it is rooted out and utterly crushed by
the sovereign verdict of he People, it will
continue to threaten the peace of the
country and throw its ominous shadows
over our Republican ims titutions.
The conspiracy forms I'd to impair the in.
nuenee OF the VIRGZNs7 Ian will have about
as much effect as if ala parties to it would
set their grinders ST. file. The VIRGIN
Ian Will continue To- be read by thousands,
and will exert a1aa inf uence over their opin-
IONS just as much as if this Juror had never