The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-04-14
ALLEY VIRGINIAN.
The "Two Civilizations.

The ''Two Civilizations.
Danville Neaus offers some comments
d an editorial article which appeared in
|theN yIRGINIAN of last week under the
caption of the 1.-The Real Issue" 1t con-
i fines its criticisms more particularly to the
position that the 1.-TWO civilizations
t emanating from the influence of the
etbods and the ideas of plymouth
bck" and that flowing from the methods
bid ideas of Jamestown to meet in
pnfiict once again on Virginia soil. 1t as
INES also that the VIR OMAN. after hav-
IL bitterly denounced Gen. Malone, now
axes 'scowardly. surrender" and init
ates that political favors constitute the
kotive.
are at all times prepared to discuss
defend. fairly and legitimately, any
psition made through these columns,
|e cannot be seduced into controyer-
lere epithet is assigned the place of ar
mt, and where prejudice and passion
ppealed to instead of reason. We have
clear and positive convictions on the
les now confronting the American mind,
Vell as our duties as Journalistic. These
endeayor to present courteously, rarely
wing the most unwarranted provoca-
s to lead us from proper appreciation
ur calling and self-respect and the in
genee of our readers. The Meas can
!, therefore, expect us to follow its
ethod of controversy. We can only say
a. It's gratuitous assumptions, running
ugh its entire comment, are without
kdation in truth. We have never de-
need Gen. Malone. We have differed from
and do now differ from him, on the ques-
of the State debt. and in stating that
erence we have sought to assign reasons
it. We have not, nor do we expect to
render to him or any one else. The
Tvs he now maintain on State and Ma
sional policy, other than his more recent
presentation on the debt question, have
been maintained by us for years, and if
there is any surrender in the matter, it is to
us. 1t is not Gen. Malone that is in the
controversy, however. 1t suits. very well,
the absence of argument to refute the
sitions he announces, other than as to the
ebt, to denounce him, and arouse the en-
unity of those who fear his power and are
trembling for their own political supre-
5hacy. But his declarations rejecting the
CONSTITUTION and laws of the country and
, the rights they guarantee, cannot be gain
said. Similar views have been presented in
these columns for ten years past. In every
political contest we have urged them upon
Re people of the State, from deep con-
ction that they are right, and when Sem
TOR of the United States, whether from the
North or South, proclaims them from his
place in that body. we cannot do less than
commend, and, if necessary, defend him.
This we have, in some degree, done. This
we will continue to do, without in the least
compromising any position we have ad-
vanced on any public question we have dis
cussed, or committing ourself to Gen. Ma
hone or to any other issue, as it affects State
policy and State credit, or giving any
pledge or assurance Of supporting the
candidates of the party he represents in
State matters. On this latter point, we
from the inception of the discussion argued
that it was the duty of the Republicans to
nominate and support a full State ticket,
/ for the reason that we can favor the posi-
zion OF neither of the Democratic factions
on the debt question. We have maintained
and now maintain, that the true policy for
the administration is to give the full force
81 Is ns<s ,s..l,4
Republican policy, for in this only can our
views be represented on all the questions
that will come up for discussion. 1t is
with the authority of the Republican
party to determine whether this is the
proper course to pursue. We think it is,
and do not believe any argument can be
adduced to weaken this position. Should,
however, the decision of the party through
its authorized representative body, be
averse to what we believe to be the right
policy, we would have no power to reverse
it. We would be left free 10 sustain the
principles we maintain, in the most effective
and avails5ie manner that would be pre-
sented. Whether we should support the
nominee Of the Re-adjuster party we cam
not now say. Neither of the Democratic
factions represent us on the debt question.
The one the Neaes adheres to is more unsat-
isfactory upon this issue than the other
They both come far short ofpublic duty and
public honor, as we understand them. On
nearly all other questions we are directly
opposed to the notions and Foundations of
the ssdebt-payers, so-called, while there is
much in the policy announced by the Re-
adjusters which is in sympathy with the
principles, record and mission of the Re-
publican party. Whatever may be the atti-
tude of parties in the State canvass, and
whatever may be our relations to that can
vass, we shall not hesitate on all proper oc-
casi0ns to commend the manly and bold ut
rerances of Gen. Malone in the United
States Senate and give him every encour-
agement that lies in our power to offer, COR
sistent with our identity with the Repub-
ican party.
But to. return to the main point of the
criticism of the NeaOs. 1t sneers at the
practical influence and motives connected
with the civilization of Plymouth Rock,
forgetting that it is living under them, has
subscribed to them and pledged itself, with
the entire Democratic party of Virginia
and the South, to observe them. 1t forgets
that the old abolition party, weak, despised,
denounced and villified, is now the great
Republican party of the nation-that the
trophies of its progress and triumphs are
presented in four millions of bondmen made
free-four millions of chattels converted
into American citizens, with the guarantee
Of all the rights and privileges of citizen
ship; that the doctrine of State Sow
ereignty, as maintained by the South, is
practically dead, and that the Union must
and shall be perpetual. These are the
results of the operation of the forces ema-
mating from the civilization of Plymouth
R0ck-forces which will not have spent
their power until the school house and
church have dissipated the remembrance
Of the slave pen and whipping-post. Free
dom and Slavery typified the two civiliza-