The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-05-12

he Office is located. 1t is not local office,
tut positive representative of the bust
less of the country, in the administration
If which the government is largely inter-
,sted. as are the people at large. In the
of the gentleman to fill it,
5he President exercised his discretion in
a competent person, and the only
ground of complaint is found in the fact
that it is the recognition of a prominent Re-
publican who is not in accord with the
New York Senator in local politics. 1t was
not intended to be offensive to Senator
His friends had been recog-
nized in other important appointments. 1t
was only designed to show regard for Re-
publican element that was Just as useful
and essential In the late election as any
other, and 20 discriminate for nor against
neither, and was more of an invitation for
a truce between the contending local fac
one.
1t is to be hoped that mutual concessions
will bring about a better understanding
and that some arrangement may be effected
which will inspire friendly feeling and CO.
operation between the President and Sena-
tor Conkling, to the end that the admins
tration may act in harmony with the repre-
sentative men of the party, and its strength
profitable internal dissensions.
Mistaken Policy
The anxiety of the more prominent and
noisy of the Re-adjusters for Federal recog-
milton, and the greed with which they seize
upon few small post offices, is not having
Il very favorable influence for Gen. Malone.
1t is admitted that not shadow of success
will attend his campaign this fall, without
the full co operation of the Republicans
This it would be difficult to secure were his
methods the most conciliatory and his fol-
lowing as modest as he should be concilia-
tory. Instead of this, however, we find them
reaching after every small post office in
range, and without consideration or politi-
cal sagacity, storing away some one Of the
faithful, to show the country that the pow
er and patronage of the government is to be
thrown into the scale in their favor this
fall. The effect of this is to disgust both
Republicans and Democrats and is arousing
feeling of resentment where more sensi-
bic methods might have made friends. To
our personal knowledge the sympathy ex-
Mo- hu loo,
Immediately after his contest with Hill and
voorhees,, is fast waning and the probable
ity of Republican support in the coming
election becoming more slender every day.
Thrusting Riddleberger forward, in the
first place, was false step, and this fol
lowed up by raid upon the small post
offices of the State has intensified a senti-
ment of resentment which will not be cas-
lily allayed.
In addition to this, Republicans are be-
ginning to enquire as to what they are
to gain by surrendering their party and
organization and offering their strength
to elevate faction to power and place in
the State. when this same faction is seeking
to Dust them from the slender favors they
lay claim to from the government. In
their calm moments they ask what profit
there will be in turning the entire State
government over to the Re-adjusters; Civ
ing them the prestige of success over the
BOurbOns, and thus exclude themselves
both from State and Federal recognition
There is no guaranty for any modification
of State legislation, which operates unjustly
and harshly upon the colored race, or that
character of eyiqence of a change of senti-
ment in regard to the ballot, the whipping
post and elective rights, that would inspire
implicit confidence. All these things were
promised in 1869, and upon such promises
power was secured, only, to be used to
abridge the very rights which had been
proclaimed as the controlling object of the
liberal movement of that year.
The Republicans of Virginia will have to
fight for all their rights. 1t is not safe to
depend upon the assurances of Others
Certainly Gen. Malone has had concern
mainly for Re-adjusters since he has been
in Washington, The Re- diusters had con-,
Germ mainly for themselves when they were
given the State government, in part, by
Republican votes What assurance have
they that this will not be the policy hereaf-
ter should their power be enlarged and
their patronage increased? 1t is patronage
which is the moving consideration. and the
most successful policy to reach and retain
that will be adopted. whatever else fails.
There is no necessity for hasty action or
surrender by Republicans. They are strong
enough to at least command respect, and to
so direct their force as to demonstrate that
they are power not to be secuted or in-
differently treated. They have principles
OF which they need not be ashamed. Until
the decentralization caused by the clamor of
the hysterical, they were on advancing
grounds and gro wing in strength and in the
sympathy and confidence of the people
They have lost prestige, self-respect and
public regard by the break in their COLUMN
and partial stampede to one wing of the
Democratic party. Let them regain their
pose-rest upon their principles and pa.
tiently wait for developments for future
guidance. The policy of surrender marks
defeat with dishonor. If defeat has to
come, it would be we'll enough to show the
courage of our convictions and fall with our
faces to the foe, instead of crawling at the !
feet and patiently submitting to taunts,
kicks and insults, from the very power We
may have created.
This is merely reference to the matter |
Of office-not for the office sake. but for |
the policy that seems to be indicated by it. |
There is another question Of greater impor- /
iance ana more directly duplicating CON
fictiot.s than official patronage. II is wieIh- (
er the Republicans OF Virginia were right |
n supporting the nominees OF the Chicago
Convention last year, or whether the Re-
ldjusters were right in supporting the Gin
,innati nominees. The ideas and purposes
If each were distinctly divergent, and it
ooks strange that the opposing and de-
Gated force should now be preferred to the
approving force by the successful party.
This is about the crookedest cOnundrum we
rave ever encountered, and by wha, process
# reasoning it can be satisfactorily solved.
We are at loss, with present developments,