The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-08-18
STAUNTON. VA.
AUGUST IS, 1881.
The Situation.

The Situation.
There are TWO ricketts, before the people OF
Virginia. representing the TWO factions OF
the Democrat c party. Both 81 them stand
upon platforms inconsistent with the prii-
ciplts Of the Republican party of the coun-
try IN certain essential particulars. The
Republican Convention at Lvnchburg pre-
sented platform r. fleeing Republican srl-
timent. but brca,ire of the absence of unity
in the party. and the certainty "f defeat al
the polls. by reason Of this, failed TO pre-
sent candidates. The reason for this must
appear obvious to every one who will prop
erly consider the matter. Had the gentle
men nominated accepted the positions as
four-fifths of the Republican vote of the
State, their candidacy would have positive
" secured the election of the candidates of
the Bourbon wing of the Democratic party.
While nothing can be said against the per-
sonal character of these gentlemen, they
have no claims upon the Republicans that
would have justified them in aiding in their
election, in that way. 1t would be more
manly to 20 to the polls and directly vote
for them, than to make a canvass, knowing
that it would not be successful and that it
would assure the election of political en-
envy. They would have been as much re-
sponsible for this result as if they had d.
rectly aided at the polls by depositing their
ballots. The inconsistency of this would
have been apparent in the fact that this
wing of the Democratic party represents
antagonizing views to those entertained by
Republicans upon certain constitutional and
legal provisions. The Republicans demand
the repeal of the capitation tax restriction
upon suffrage, the whipping-post law, and
the petty larceny ACKNOWLEDGMENT, be-
cause it is &n invitation to partizan justices
to infiict unjustifable punishment, TO" polit-
ical purposes. Upon these the Bourbon
Democratic party is silent. They further
demand the recognition Of the proper pro-
portion of the debt of old Virginia. and
that provision be made to pay it. They
believe the State is able to make provision
to meet every dollar of the obligations
which press upon her, and that it is wise pub
tic policy, as well as honesty to do SO. This
issue the platform of the Bourbon lodges,
and exhibits the same moral cowardice
which has been fruitful of so much harm to
the State heretofore.
The Re-adjusters, the other party with a
toI oil ;,- ha GolJ ora
much more liberal in their professions than
the Bourbons as to the constitutional and
legal points to which We have REFEREED
They favor the repeal of the capitation tax
restriction en- the voting privilege. the whip
ping-post law and the petty larceny dis
reimbursement. To this degree they are in
sympathy with the Republicans, so far as
their professions go, but in these we have not
much confidence. They. however. openly
propose to repudiate portion of the capt.
talized debt of the State. and one-half of
the interest charge on the remaining por-
ton. To this the history and creed of the
Republican party of the nation and the
declaration Of principles by the Republicans
of Virginia are directly opposed. No
greater wrong to themselves could be per-
petrated by apeople than to infict such a
stigma and disgrace upon themselves.
Between these two parties the Republi-
cans hold the balance ofpower. They could
not carry into effect their principles and
policy by coaIescing with either. The
Rourbons profess great concern for the
credit and honor of the State but propose
no provision for their defense and preserva-
ton. The Re-adjusters scout both and
brazenly propose to debauch both. The
Conservative party when composed OF both
Bourbons and Re-adiusters, violated the
plighted faith of the people, in changing
the Constitution so as to impose the inhibi-
lions upoa suffrage complained of. The
Bourbon wing has formally declared no de-
sire to restore the Constitution to its for
mer provisions and the State to its forfeited
pledges. The Re.adiusters, contending for
a palpable reputation of portion of the
public debt and the infliction of an inef-
faceable stain upon the Commonwealth, pro-
fess purpose to rectify the wrongs they
have inflicted upon the people in loading
down the right to vote with constitutional
and legal restrictions. They make this last
proposition the basis of their appeals to the
class most affected by it to support them in
their policy of repudiating the just claims
of the States creditors. They confess a
wrong they have perpetrated against the
III in .ofi no ha
and In order to correct the wrong of their
own doing, ask those who have been
wronged to commit equally as great a
wrong, if not greater, that the other wrong
may be corrected.
What both of these Democratic factions
want is power, and they are willing to sup
press the truth, to violate principles and
solemn oligations, to attain it, when it
would be much cas- Ter and more polite to
stand square for the fair thing and ap-
peal to the innate justice Of the people.
The Republicans Of Virginia have made
themselves understood on all of these prop
ositions. They have declared, in their plat
form adopted at Lynchburg on the 10th
lnSCdLC. CIdb Inc are III ldfOT VI iIHc Houcst
payment of Virginia's just debt, and for
making provision for doing SO. They de-
clare for the restoration of the Constitution
of the State to the guarantees and provis-
ions which pertained to it when it was
adopted in 1869, and the people to their
pledges given when admitted to represen-
tation in Congress under that Constitn-
ton.
As the canvass, and the declarations OF
the respective parties, with tickets in the
field, stand now, the Republicans have no
representatives. They owe allegiance to
neither and are under obligations to neither.
They cannot give expression to their con-
vietions and principles by voting for either.
In fact the Re-adiusters represent them on
points where the Bourbons are silent. Both
are equally guilty of the original wrong,
While the Re-adjusters have been more
hasty in confessipg it. they ask for a
heavy conside ration in doing SO. They
want in retu IN, all the power of the State,
at the hands of the Republicans, and in
addition the violation of a cardinal princi-
pie OF the Republican party, by which the
dfnk1 I< a.