The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-04-28
Historica.l Reference.1


interference by the Federal Government
with our States affairs, and of indepen-
dence on our part of all national political
organization save as we should please to
align ourselves when the occasion should
come"
This allusion calls up several facts
First, that the Virginia movement OF
1869 was under the name of True Repub-
licans," pledged to the support of the
amended National Constitution and the
State Constitution adopted in that year. 1t
was supported by Gen. Grants administra-
ton, in great degree. and by many Re-
publicans, because both the candidate for
Governor, Hon. Gilbert c. Walker, and the
candidate for L 'eutenant Governor, Hon. j.
F. Lewis, were Republicans. The movement
was successful against the Republicans, I'M
der Gen. Fl. H. Wells, as the candidate for
Governor. No sooner was the control of
the State assured than the name of "True
Republican was dropped and that of
conservative adopted. Gov. Walker
went along with the mass and afterwards
became bitter opponent of the Republican
party, while Mr.. Lewis adhered to the Re-
publican party, although denounced. at the
time, as traitor to the party that had
elected him to the United States Senate
Senator Johnston was elected by the same
Legislature as "True Republican" but
subsequently threw his fortunes with the
improved "Virginia movement" recognized
under the nomenclature Of conservative. -
No sooner had this Conservative party,
which owed it's success to Republican adj
minstration and the solemn assurance that
the National and State Constitutions should
be faithfully observed and carried out as
they then existed, advanced to the control of
the State Government, than it proceeded to
tamper with the State Constitution, finally
succeeding in so amending it as to place a
price upon the privilege of voting, with a
view to practically DISTINGUISHING the col
ored citizen; established the whipping post,
changed the criminal law so as to make the
most trivial offences work disfranchisement
and crippled the free schools. This party,
thus given power. placed upon the statute
book all the legislation which is now de-
nounced by Gen. Malone and his follows
ing,and placed it there by the votes OF those
who posed in the role of True Republic
cans'' in 1869, and afterwards as Conser-
natives.
This historical reference may be of inter-
est at this time, when it is proposed to in
augurate another "Virginia movement, :"
of 1859, and actively sustained by many
who were prom inent in the ''True Republi-
can" party of that year. and equally promi-
nent in the Conservative party in its work
of violating the pledges under which it sue
ceeded to power.
1t is we'll enough to consider these facts
and their bearing upon future political ac-
ton in Virginia. Republicans should be
careful as to their policy and the political
association they encourage, for the surren-
der of their distinct organization may place
them at the same disadvantage they have
had to deal with ever since the s'rrue Re
publican" party was given control of the
State in 1859 by the aid Of a Republican adj
ministration and Republican votes. OF all
the prominent men in that movement"
we can now call to mind but one-Hon. J.
F. Lewis-who remained true to the princi-
Piles then proclaimed and the policy then
vouchsafed. Bourbon Democracy could
have done no worse for the colored people
of the State, nor inaugurated policy more
directly in conflict with the liberal profess
sions Of 1869
'Bourbon Republicans is a term used as
a reproach upon those Republicans who do
not see in an abandonment of the Repub-
lican party and Republican organization,
the advancement of the principles and pol
icy of their party. All the liberal profess
sions which have been made by others, are
nothing more than Bourbon Republicans
have been contending and fighting for ever
since the organization of the party. They
are called Bourbons because they do not
propose to surrender the organization of
the party which is the embodiment of lib
eralism, and give in their adhesion to par
ty whose constituent elements have been
ever at war with that liberalism. There is
no such thing as "Bourbon Republi-
cam" especially with those who have been
identified with the Republican party of
Virginia and the South and have proved
their convictions by the most trying tests
Those who so denounce them may be fresh
from a contest to inflict Bourbon Democ-
racy upon the country, against which these
''Bourbon Republicans" have used their
best endeavors. They will have to furnish
some more substantial evidence that they
are more sincerely liberal in their new
zeal than those who have endured all kinds
of prescription and ostracism because of
their support of Republican principles.
than mere clamor and blather to convince
the country that Bourbon Republicans"
are not better Republicans than they are,
and infinitely more to be trusted in carry
ing out Republican policy. ''Republi-
cans" whether classed as "Bourbons'' or
not, have higher claims upon their party
than Democrats, whether ranging under the
colors of Funders or Re-adjusters. AS to
the charge of holding office, the Bourbons
plead guilty, and yet feel no humiliation,
in the light Of an honorable and creditable
record, and faithful performance of duty
If holding office be crime in the eyes of
these new lights of liberalism, then indeed
is there fascination about crime for the Re-
adjusters, inasmuch as there is not promi-
nent member of that party who has not
presented himself at Washington for favor
from an administration which he labored to
defeat, that the regular Bourbon Democra-
cy might succeed.
Pittsburg Southern Extension.
Pursuant to adjournment in Wheeling,
W. Va, about week ago, the principal
movers in the extension of the Pittsburg
Southern Railroad from the PENNSYLVANIA
State line tO White Su1phur Cnr;,,rc VIZ