The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-09-16
Hon. e. John Ellis Speech.

The most unfortunate part OF this Presi-
dental campaign for the Democratic party
is the utterances of Democratic speakers
from the extreme Southern States. Down
III that section, they indulge in the most
reckless and unguarded statements, not
considering their effect in other portions OF
the Union, and when their speakers are
called to address more conservative au-
diences, stimulated by the party feeling
and enthusiasm which surround them. they
place no check upon their remarks, nor
weigh the ideas their language conveys. 1t
was so with Gov. Hampton. Whatever may
have been in his mind, the language and the
illustrations he employed in his Staunton
speech have had a remarkable effect in
arousing public attention to the central Is
sue in this contest-the paramount idea
which is involved. No less fortunate in
| his sentences was Hon. E. John Ellis, in
his speech before the Hancock and English
Club of Staunton, on Wednesday night, Sth
| inst. 1t being strictly Democratic assem-
blage. convened in a select room, dedi-
Gated to Democratic enthusing. we were not
within its sacred precincts, whence were
recently Illuminated anathemas against the
vIRaINIAN. Consequently we have to de-
pend upon the report Of the Democratic
paper of this place-the Staunton Vindica-
tor-for what was said on the occasion, and
from it we quote this paragraph:
.Slowly, but surely, the Republican par
| ty. protesting to be friend OF the Union,
has been endeavoring to uproot constitu-
tional liberty. 1t has been the traitor that
| has fingered about the capital endeavoring
| to stab constitutional liberty to death. The
| true principle of constitutional government
| is in danger, and if Garfield is elected to
| the Presidency the form may remain, but
the spirit will be dead. Garfield's dream is
Capitalization, and his darling is nation,
with big N"
This rodomontade might be excusable or
suffered to be regarded as the rhapsody OF
an aspiring sophomore, had it issued from
| some of the jejune Democratic orators, who
are not quite dry behind the ears. but ema-
mating from gentleman OF middle age, and
a member of Congress from distant State,
it must be treated seriously. When Mr..
Ellis charges that the Republican party is
scheming to centralize all power in the Ma
tional head, and to stab constitutional lib
erty, it is presumable he has some evidence
| to sustain the allegation. tits true, accord
| ing to the report, that he did not present
such evidence, and only by implication can
we arrive at what was in his mind. The
Capitalization of the Republican party,
consists simply in recognizing the laws and
constitution as they are-the right and
power of the government to enforce those
laws and that constitution in every State
and Territory of the United States, and to
protect the rights they guarantee. every
where and under all circumstances. Its as
sault upon the life OF the Nation is con-
tanned in its jealous regard for the integrity
and honor of the United States-its labors
in their defence, and the marvellous success
which has attended those endeavors. 1t has
demanded that every dollar OF the ma
tional debt shall be paid in the money OF the
world-that every right the Constitution
assures shall be respected and enjoyed. and
that the authority of the Nation is supreme
paramount to State enactments, State
Constitutions, and the prejudices and plots
of sections to abridge the rights OF citizens,
whether black or white. rich or poor. 1t
demands that all national elections shall be
regulated by national laws, and that the
citizen the Constitution has created, shall
stand before the law the equal of every 9TH
er citizen.
The negative of these propositions which
Mr.. Ellis, by implication sustains, is State
sovereignty, and that is the issue to be de-
termined again, this time at the ballot-box,
although it was believed it had been decided
forever by an appeal to arms. 1t is the
same doctrine or issue that Gov. Hampton
proclaimed in 1868 and 1880. and which JET
ferson Davis asserted in 1S85-''the princi-
ole for which we contended is bound to re-
assert itself, though it may be at another
time and in another FORM"
The GENERALIZATION of the Republican
party is summed up in national supremacy.
It is this Capitalization Mr.. Ellis opposes
and denounces, and consequently we are
forced to the conclusion that he maintains
the opposite theory of State sovereignty
Otherwise his imprisoned diatribe was SO
much rant and fustian.
We cannot too often or earnestly impress
upon our readers the dangers which Turk in
this insidious doctrine. 1t contains the
seeds of woes unnumbered to the country
| tla sccr1
two ideas is not definitely settled at the bal
lot-box in November next, by the election
of the Republican nominees, we may antic-
ipate the possibility of future turmoil and
strife which will shake the pillars of gov
eminent to their very base. No more Sc
rious calamity, according to our appreheh-
sion, could befall the country, than the adj
| vancement to the control of the Govern
ment, in all of It's departments, of the Dem
ocratic party. Not that we believe it is in
the minds Of the great mass Of the party to
precipftate disasters upon the Nation, but
by reason of the principle involved, and the
legitimate fruits which would grow from its
nourishment.
| 1t is for the people to say whether they
will allow themselves to be led into such
dangers-to be rushed headlong into fatal
Observation-Disclosures the passionate appeals
of reckless partizans, who seem to think
little of consequences, and to have learned
nothing by experience. If the idea of State
sovereignty plunged the country into war
| and death and ruin in 1861, why may 1t
not do so again, unless the people through
peaceful methods place the seal Of their in
dignant condemnation upon it? 1t should
not be forgotten that nearly all national ca
| lamities result from conflict Of ideas-that
wars, from the first organization of society,
have had for their cause the antipodal rela-
tions of principles-and that no sharper
antagonism could possibly exist than that
which divides State sovereignty from ma
tional sovereignty. These two theories OF
government cannot be upheld in this coun-
| try without the most fatal consequences
| Ono or the other will have To he surren darad