The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-08-20

The platform adopted by the he
publican Convention at Lynchburg'
sets forth "That amongst the princl-
ples of the Republican party none Is
of more vital importance to the wei
fare and interest of the country, In
all its parts, than that which pertains
to the sanctity of government con-
tracts. 1t, therefore, becomes the
special duty and province OF the Re
publican party of Virginia to guard
and protect the credit ofour time-hon-
ored State, which has been besmlrch-
ed with reputation or received with
distrust by the gross mismanagement
of the various factions of the Demo
cratic party, which have controlled
the legislation of the State"
The convention decided not to
make any nomination at present, as
they deemed it inexpedient, but con-
cluded with great unanimity to hold
fast to the principles of the Republic
can party, ignoring any and all prop
ositions for a readjustment of the
debt, either National or State. The
State Central Committee was in
structed to issue an address setting
forth the actions and principles of the
convention.
Despite the efforts to make the Gu
bernaterial campaign strictly one of
partisan character, the Republicans
have made no nominations and there
are two tickets claiming the support
of the Democrats. One of these,
bearing the name of John w. Daniel
as the candidate for Governor, is put
forth by the Bourbon faction, which
claims to advocate the payment of
the just debt of Virginia and calls its
members Refunders. while the other
supports the views of Senator Ma
hone and favors the REIMBURSEMENT of
the State debt-whatever that may
mean. Should there be 10 Republi-
can nomination, the voters of that
party will be called upon to decide to
which of these factions it will give it's
votes at the coming election, and
these votes may decide the contest.
The New York Times seems to
think that the majority of the Repub-
licans will unite with the Readjust-
ers, while the others will either work
for the Bourtons or remain ciphers in
the contest. 1t says. upon this SUBJ
ject:
cit is better for all concerned that
this should be the result. The debt
question is local and temporary.
Public sentiment is evidently oppos-
ed to an increase of taxation even for
the purpose of maintaining the "hon-
or" of the Old Dominion, about which
Virginians are so fond Of prating, but
any sacrifice. Accordingly, all part
les palter with the subject, except
that which bluntly declares its pur-
pose of pairing down the public obi.
cations to fit the present revenue.
But what really divides the two
great parties of the State is broader
and mere lasting than the debt ques-
ton. 1t is the difference between
liberalism and conservatism. Con-
servatism in Virginia and in the
Southern States generally signifies
the Bourbon spirit that clings to the
past and resisis progress. 1t was op-
posed in the past to allowing the ne
groes to enjoy civil and political
rights, and, in spite of vaguely ex-
pressed professions. it is opposed to
1t now and sustains whatever is cal
culated to defeat it. 1t is opposed to
popular education the benefits of
which shall be equally enjoyed by
all. 1t is opposed to yielding State
pride to national patriotism. and to a
policy of progress and of political and
material regeneration. Liberalism
in Virginia and in the South .gener-
ally signifies the newly awakened
spirit of progress. 1t promises to
make the rights of colored citizens
real it promises to make the bene-
hts OF education free to all it fayors
nationality in place of the old exclu-
slveness, and it works in the direc-
ton ofprogress and regeneration. 1t
differs from Republicanism, as il has
heretofore existed in that section, in
proceeding from the inner tendencies
OF Southern society itself instead of
being imposed upon it from without.
Ii therefore bids fair to work i'm time
transformation of the politics of
that'part of the country, which will
no doubt be ultimately brought into
harmony with the politics of the Ma
ton. as it has not been in these lat.
ter years. What the effect will be on
national parties it is too soon to con.
lecture. nor does it much matter.
The tendency is in the direction of
an improved state CT things and it is
irresistible. 1t will be time enough
Tor the political adjustment of results
In the national field when the occa.
sion for it comes"