The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-06-23
The Efrontery Of It.

The Effrontery Of It.
We had hoped that the political Canvass
In this State would be 50 shaped and ar
ranged as to have presented but two can
didates for Governor and other State officers |
elective in November next. We have aimed |
TO steer clear of the extremes of all the |
parties as now organized, and hold our
selves in readiness to support the candi-
dates which promised most for the further
ance Of the principles and objects Of the
party. We had INDUCED the
belief that it was possible to crystalize all
protested liberal forces and to mass them
at the proper time in the support of pol
icy, which would leave the Republican par
ty intact, preserve its distinctive Identity,
and whether defeat or success should at
tend 1t in the contest, the organizat ion
might remain as the basis for future politi-
cal action.
The developments Of the canvass thus far
give assurance that there is but one way to
maintain the integrity Of the Republican
party, and that is through the action OF a
Convention, In placing full Republican
ticket in the field. The purpose has been
too plainly manifested to destroy the Re-
publican organization by absorption into
the Re-adjuster party, and by thus losing
Its distinctive party identity, forever blot
1t out of existence in Virginia. Even this
fate might have been contemplated with
composure If the principles and policy for
which the Republicans have contended,
could be assured. and the same ends accom-
plished through another organization and
under another party name, necessitating
the surrender Of Republican nomenclature,
at least for time. But the best study we
have. been able to give the situation and
the developments before US leads US to the
conclusion that defeat would follow any
coalition, that such an attempted fusion
would be less formidable than the Repub-
lican party itself, and that the most effective
method to subserYe Republican interests in
8 Virginia and the Union would be through
strictly Republican organization and Re-
publican ticket.
Looking at it as q question of mere party
pride-and the Republicans of Virginia
have right to be proud Of their party and
its record-there are almost insurmount-
able difficulties presented to a coalition, in
that were success possible, they would be
robbed of the credit Of the victory their
numbers would have achieved, and the
honors be claimed and enjoyed by a mere
handful Of the original Re-adjusters. Should
defeat follow, instead Of success, as is the
more probable, from the best information
now within our reach, the Republican party
Of the country would have to share the r.
sponsibility and suffer the harmful effects.
Were the liberal ideas of the Republican
party the object to be attained, we can see
no better method of accomplishing them
than through the party which accepts
them as its cardinal principles, and whose
whole history has been struggle for their
establishment. We cannot understand the
purpose or meaning Of the demand that
the Republican party of the State should
abandon its organization and the Gus
tody of the political doctrines it has ever
maintained and surrender them to the
keeping of a faction that has never been
identified with either the name or prtnc-
pies. but whose leaders have ever been ar
rayed against them, until the necessities Of
political fortune compelled them to resort
to some expedient to attain power. We
can see neither rhyme nor reason in Re-
publicans hum iliating themselves by such
an abject and seryile course and exposing
themselves to universal contempt and de-
testation for the moral cowardice that
would thus be manifested. And for what ?
There is no assurance, no security that
even were success to be the result OF the
campaign, that the purposes proclaimed
would be faithfully executed. II the cour-
age be absent to accept the Republican
name and the Republican organization.
which represent all the ends professed,
would not the same want Of bravery exist
in carrying into practical operation the
necessary legislation for such ends And
II the courage be absent to become identi-
fed with the Republican party now, when
Republican votes are essential for success,
II that be possible, would not the same
moral timidity exist in the future, when the
political forces OF the country are engaged
for national contest? Where Is it posi-
Bile for the Republicans of Virgin ia or OF
the country to be benefited by the proposed
absorption and virtual extinction Of the Re-
publican party in this State? The leaders
of the Re-adiusters. many OF whom were
instrumental in fastening the obnoxious
laws upon the statute book complained OF,
say they favor the obliteration of this work
of their hands from the legislative records.
but before they can do so the Republican
party, which has ever protested against the
wrong and injustice they have thus inflicted,
must surrender its organization and range
its "a, 900 forces in the rear Of the 5000 or
10000 (for that will be the maximum
strength Re-adjusters, and let them lead the
way to encompass the mission Of the Re-
publican party
The whole scheme Is preposterous, impu-
dent and insulting, and the very extrava-
gance of its character argues the insincer-
ity Of the motive which prompts it. And
the more the Republicans of the State and
country reflect over it the more offensive will
It appear to them. 1t is the very climax OF
effrontery for the presumption to be in
dulged that the Republicans Of Virginia
are ready to Internationally surrender
themselves and the interest OF their party
to the keeping Of those who in the past have
persistently opposed them, and whose more
recent record demonstrates the selfshness
Of the motive that instigates this demand.
The principles and ends for which the
Republicans contend are right. They ap-
peal to the conscience and judgment OF che
enlightened and moral worth Of the coun-
try. and it is only by fidelity to their con-
victions, and steady pursuit Of their pur-
pose through their own organization and
party machinery that these principles can
be practically enforced. There is nothing
to gain by surrender. There Is much to
lose. Not only would our organization be
abandoned at home, without any compen-
sating good, but the Republican party Of