The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-11-10
Democratic Consistencies.

-ory Of the Democratic party since the war,
and comprehension of its fragrant incon-
sistencies. should condemn it in the judg- |
ment of all intelligent minds. To the
Southern States, especially. it has been a
positive curse. In the canvass of 1868 it as
sumed that the legislation of Congress pre-
scribing the conditions of the reconstruc-
ton of the Southern States, was revolu-
tionary and unconstitutional. 1t went be-
fore the people in that year urging policy
based upon this theory. and seeking to ed
ucate the people of the country, and es-
pecially the South, that a verdict in its IA
vor would reverse the enactments which
Congress had deemed wise and competent
to practically recognize the results of the
war. In 1872. while asserting the loyalty
of the Democracy North and South to the
measures it had five years before declared
revolutionary and unconstitutional, it ac-
cepted as its candidate for the Pres ideDcy
man who had ever been at war with the
Democratic party and the South, and whose
opinions upon cardinal questions of public
policy were in direct conflict with the creed
and professions OF the party whose chosen
leader he was. In 1876, its platform de-
clared for resumption of specie payment,
but urged the repeal of the law which was
framed and designed to effect that object.
From 1868 until the resumption of specie
payments was cansummated, its votes in
nd irc NIT roll re
representative men arrayed it against the
maintenance of public credit and the obi
cations of the country. in discharging the
war debt in the manner and form the con-
tracts called for. 1t favored every Green
| back specific that was sprung npon the peo-
pie; opposed the national banking system
which was the cardinal and essential idea in
"A sound financial system, directly affecting
the interests of the masses in guaranteeing
the value of the currency which entered
into their daily uses and business transac-
tions. 1t has uniformly opposed the policy
OF protecting American industry and build
ing upon the independence of our own
country through its own productions, in
|
workmen. and arranging its tariff system so
as to compel the contribution of other coun-
tries to the support of our industries and
institutions.
Upon these various propositions. the Re-
publican party has been directly opposed to
the views of the Democracy The recon-
struction measures which it supported, have
been sustained, as constitutional, by the
| Supreme Court of the United States, and by
popular judgment declared at the ballot
box in condemnation of the Democratic
party. The financial policy of the govern
meut, instituted and maintained by the
Republican and opposed by the Democratic
party, has achieved such marvellous results
in settling and fixing the basis of business
and promoting the prosperity of the people
that not even Democratic stupidity and
recklessness dare now assail it. The
wisdom of the national banking system has
been SO effectually vindcated by its practi-
cal operation and the security it has given
TO values, and the State bank policy. its on
ly alternative, so severely condemned. that
the Democratic party will hardly essay to
ask for change. The policy of protection
to home industries has given such marvel
GUS evidences of its truly American char
acter; opened up our mines; built ul
cities enhanced the value of lands; given
employment to labor; and ramitied its bless
ings through every department of the bust
ness and social structure of the country
that Democratic demagogues are paralyzeo
in its contemplation.
The results of the policies and principles
which have been maintained by the Repub
licans and opposed by the Democrats, are
seen in the prosperity which now pervades
the country. The workshop. the farm, the
counter, and every pursuit where homes
endeavor is called into requisition, feels tile
beneficial effects. Railroads are checkerns
the States and linking the extremes of the
continent ogether-making one homo
geneous people out of dissimil liar and distinc
tive communities, and are exposing ant
grasping the wealth of other continental
governments, to pay tribute to American
enterprise encouraged and stimulated by
the policy and legislation of the Republic
can party.
Every measure and every policy that have
contributed to these consummations have
been opposed by the Democratic party
Had its theories and projects been success
fui we would now be called upon to con
template, as logical consequence, the re-
verse of what the country is now enjoying
1t seems to have been incapable of compre
bending national wants, or being moved by
national inspirations. Contracted, illiber
al, selfish, mercenary considerations-look
, ing alone to the attainment of power
through false pretences and deceptive APP
peals-haye moved it in all of its contests
, and antagonisms, With no enlightened I'm
Outstanding of the needs of the peopl,
, or the agencies to effect their prosperity.
In State. as in national relations, its
methods and aims have been re-active, un
, statesmanlike, and devoid of all the ele
ments which go to make up really nation
al party. Ia the Southern States, it ha
depended for its supremacy upon the preju
dices and passions of race and sections, I'M
mindful of constitutional sanctions, practi
cal craftsmanship, and the moral force
which are upheaving the old order of things
? and demanding an enlightened comprehen
, sion of the more recent Interpretation O
popular rights. Here in Virginia. we hav
just passed through one of those commo
, tions. which shake the very foundations Q
societyand political order, because of the con
, iict between the progressive forces of tn
: present and the obstructive and repelling in
$ fiuences of past dispensation. The warfar
will pass on and increase as it progresses int
] other States, and the agitation and confic
r continue until the great truths affecting tn
! rights of the citizen and the subject, ar
: recognized and practically enjoyed. TIL
free school-house and the free ballot vii
eventually break the power of the Demo
cratic party, libcrate the judgment an,
conscience of the people, and give vitalit
) and power to the fundamental fact that GU