The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-02-24
The Approaching Canvass.

OF the N1RGlNiAN OL GiiC uOoo 4"eo'AOAA
quotes in justification of this opinion a
brief article which appeared in our last is
sue, denying the charge that Gen. GARFIELD
had expressed his sympathy with the MA
honites, on the debt question. The Dis
patch, as usual, is not correct. We enter
tain the same views now that we have eX-
pressed in the articles we have written dis
cussing the debt question. We simply re-
ferred to the possibilities of the canvass
and that it might become necessary, in self
defence, for the Republicans to meet the
position of the "Debt Payers - Save the
mark y represented by the Dispatch on 9th
er important questions. AS we predicted
last week, the Funders have already in
their address signed by Maj. Absolom
Koiner, the Chairman OF the State central
Committee, abandoned their high preten-
sions about State honor, and been forced
to proclaim for reputation before the can
vass commences. That reputation is meant
when they declare against an increase IN
the rate of taxation on the shameful reouc-
ton of property assessments, does not admit
of controversy. While claiming to be the pc
culiar guardians of the States honor and
creditors rights, they have substantially
endorsed this re-assessment scheme, which
will withhold from the State Treasury
nearly million of dollars, which justice,
fair dealing and the interests OF the people
and creditors demand should go there, to
meet the honest obligations OF the State
We say million of dollars, because il the
same average valuations which governed in
the assessments of 1875 had been carried
into the assessments of 1881, they would
have shown that taxable values had in
creased at least 20 per cent, and maintain
ing the same rate of taxation as now, the
revenues derived from itwould have reached
SO, 900, 900, instead of 50, 100000, as Gen.
Malone assumes, under the recent assess
ment, reducing property values twenty per
cent.
If the counsel of the VIRGINIAN will
have any weight with the Republicans OF
the State they will make the issue with the
two factions of the Democracy, and DEM
onstrate to the world that there is at least
one party in the State that is not afraid to
do what is right, let the political conse-
quences be what they may. Not upon
proposition to pay six per cent. on the $780,
600, 900, for the creditors will do better than
that when they understand that there is to
be determined fight to secure their rights
But upon such an understanding with them
as will meet their reasonable demands ano
not embarrass the people.
There never has been, in the political his
tory of Virginia, such an invitation for the
Republican parry to vindicate itself from
the MISREPRESENTATION and ISLANDERS OF its
political opponents and demonstrate its de-
votion to Virginia, as that now given in thu
attitude of the two Democratic factions on
the debtquestion. There never has been,slnc'
the statute books have been encountered will
the oppressive and unjust legislation dis
eliminating against the colored people, suci
an opportunity to crystalize sentimen
powerful enough to correct these wrongs
and restore the CONSTITUTE on to its origin
provisions. If the Republicans of Virgins
will boldly declare the principles OF the Ma
tional Republican party as they respec
financial obligations and legal and constitu
tional sanctities, and proclaim their pur
pose to enforce them, if the power be veste
in them, in State affairs, they will not onl
have the support of the administration
Gen. Garfield, but of the entire Republican
party of the country, and these operating
upon the creditors, will extract from then
concessions which will enable the Republ
cans to carry the State, restore its credit
reclaim their stolen rights, land lay the foun
dation for an administrative party, founde
upon Republican principles, not only as t
the debt but also as to manhood rights
which will maintain the ascendancy in Stat
administration for many years to come.
This is our belief. Whether it will b
J the accepted policy of the party in the CON
ing contest We cannot say. Ii the author
tiles of the party will announce such to b
) their faith and purpose, the national admins
lration could not do otherwise than encour
J age them to the extent of its power in ever
, legitimate way, and the Republicans OF tn
! North, and especially of the great tinancis
centres, would not withhold their moral an
material aid 1t is possible, however, tina
such will not be the declared policy OF tn
, Republicans-that they will permit them
, selves to be drawn away from an essentia
) canon of Republican faith, by the disgrace
full attitude assumed by the Funders in thei
! address, declaring the race issues to be tn
only live question, and that the contes
must be waged to arouse the worst passion
, and prejudices of the human heart.
While such contest would expose tn
hollow pretenses of the ''debt payers,
about State honor and unveil the insinceI
ity which has characterized their probes
sions, it would leave still unsettled the deb
controversy and perpetuate to the peopl
: all the harmful influences which have grow
out of it, as they affect material prosperity
Nor could the Republicans be, in any way
the gamers. Upon that simple issue, what
ever their convictions, and however humil
iating their concessions of party name
principles and beliefs, they would b
exposed to possible defeat. In that even
they would have lost all, and could neye
again have the audacity to ask for recognitio
as an organization either for State or Ma
tional purposes. Should they plant them
selves squarely upon their principles and thu
emphasize the contrast that exists between
Republicanism and Democracy, and defea
should follow, they would still command
the respect of the country, the approval G
conscience, and the confidence and sympa
thy of each other-ready to renew the figh
when occasion should demand.
We do not presume to indicate what will
the policy of the Republicans in the Stat
canvass. We have no voice in the officia
body that is to determine and influence il
but we think grievious if not disastrou
. mistake will be made if any other course
adopted than that which looks to squar
out Republican fight, on Republican prir
ciples, for Republican ends.