The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-07-14


is now the subject of agitation in this State,
through the means suggested by Mr.. Col
fax, and at the same time strike a blow at
the very life OF the Commonwealth, in re-
pudiating portion of her honest debt, we
should doubt the expediency of it and ques-
ton whether more would not be lost than
gained. But we are very confident that the
attempted coalition, even if neminal;y ef-
probability of success and all that would
follow would be the disgrace OF surrender
of the principles and organization of the
Republican party with the infamous notori-
ETY. of trying rob public creditors of their
honest dues. rir
The communication prefacing Mr.. Col
fax's letter epitomizes the objects Of the
coalition and cody assumes that, being sue
cessful, the debt question will be settled
upon terms honorable and acceptable to the
creditors. This implies double dealing
somewhere. The Re-adjuster platform and
the Re-adiuster history is distinguished for
one thing and that is its open and unblush-
ing Reputation of sl3.000,0o0 of honest
debt. Is it proposed to go back upon that
should success follow the coalition, after
having made the canvass and won ON it?
How could that be done, when Legisla-
ture and Governor would have been elected
on the basis of the Riddleberger bill and all
that it means?
A more equal division of the offices be-
tween the races is presented as another of
the prominent objects Of the COALITION
This is a tub thrown to the whale, to save
from scuttling the Re-adjuster ship. 1t will
be properly appreciated not only by the
white but the colored Republicans and met
| in a-spirit of appropriate resentment. 1t is
| the first time in the history of political
campaign that such suggestion has been
openly made, and we earnestly hope itmay
be the last, for it is reducing party contests
down to mere mercenary squabble over
place and plumber.
| The fact is that no Republican can be
consistent and support this movement. He
must either be untrue to the Republican
party, or to the Re-adjuster faction, for
their principles are Numerically opposed
and their agreement found only in those
phases of State policy where the Re-adjas-
tiers themselves cannot be trusted, judged
by their past history. We surrender num-
bers, organization and principles in the hope
of placing in power few Democrats, who
have not the courage to accept he party name
whose forces they would command, or avow
the essential principles of that party as
they affect state and National credit and
honor. .i4.a. If.
Is there anything in the origin and
achievements of the Republican party
which bears any resemblance to such pros
titution of party machinery and creed
In what respect does the Re-adjuster party
resemble the Republican party in its high
resolve for moral influences and its enuncia-
ton of principles which appeal directly
to the conscience of the christian world
There is none. And however sincere Mr..
Colfax may be in the expression of his
views on the proper policy for the Repub-
lcans of Virginia to pursue, we are very
sure that he labors under a great delusion
as to the motives and objects which lie at
the base of this proposal co lition, or rather
Republican surrender. The Republicans
would have no security for the fulfillment
of any promise made, while they would
have to bear all the odium attaching to an
abandonment of their organization and prin-
cipIes, without the possibility Of any good
resulting from it either to themselves or the
| State.
We prefer to trust to the Republican
party to carry into effect Republican poll
cy. 1t is true we have been in the minor
| ity in the State, but influences are at work
which will make that condition of short
duration If we are only true to ourselves
and our principles We are upon advancing
ground-the better elements of the State are
in sympathy with the controlling ideas OF
the party the prejudice against it is fast
wearing away, and the prospect was never
more fiattering for building upa substantial
and controlling Republican organization. =
To follow Mr.. Colfax's advice is to throw
away these advantages, to abandon prin-
ciples, to bring reproach upon the national
Republican party and destroy all hope for
Republican organization in Virginia and the
South eE .a... ..lss.ri se,4a.5l
II