The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-06-16

barism and repressive legislation which
aims to abridge the rights the fundamental
law OF the country assures. 1t not only
deliberately assumes such position, but
with equal elaboration subordinates all 9TH
er questions affecting the interests of the
commonwealth I'd it. The signal is given
that the approaching campaign is to be one
OF inflamed passion and race prejudice, and
that all who do not recognize the perfection
OF wisdom in Mr.. Keiley's Committee and
its formulation Of the canvass, are to be
branded as enemies OF their native State
and social outlaws. 1t is an invitation. too.
for all opposing sympathies to band togeth-
er to arrest and rebuke such vicious and
malignant purpose, and to assert the equal
rights. as well as moral and legal obligations
OF the people of the State. No good citi-
zen can but regret such contest and
such an issue. which has in it nothing
but harm to every interest and prospect Of
the Commonwealth. But when it is delit-
erately presented as pre- determined and
pre-arranged affair, it becomes daty for
those inspired by loftier motives and more
philanthropic purp oses to accept the guage
OF battle and prepare for che. conflict.
And why Is this unwise and harmful issue
to be precipitated upon the people? There
is but one rational and legitimate answer
Because the Conservative party has been
unequal to the demands of its creation. Its
administration of the government has been
one continuous succession of wrom 3 upon
the people. 1t has failed in every .igh duty:
come short in the performance ,,of every OBJ
legation imposed by the condiel ms of its cre-
alton and instalment in powv r. The rights
of the people, as guaranteed in the Consti-
tuition and laws it was pie dyed to support,
have been abridged and outra ged !; public
pledges and public fais' a violated; he edu-
cational system desig led for the good of the
general public, pars .yzed the honor of the
state hawked abo0 among brokers and spec
ulators to the sks me of honest people and
the discredit Of the Commonwealth.
IL IS this Kind of civilization it is pro-
posed TO PEI petuate through the influences
THIS address invokes. 1t is a civilization
wnicn elevates and fortifies in position the
lew and degrades the many. It strikes at
the very base OF social order and republican
iAstitv lions, and invites to despotism
more intolerable than that of the mailed
nap d and the regal scep tire.
In sympathy with the insidious and
Wicked intimations with which this Address
labounas as to the issues of the canvass to be
forced. is the timid and hating reference to
the public debt. 1t guages the moral anG
legal obligations which rest upon the State
by the standard of false assessment of val !.
ues and plainly intimates that there is to bic
no courageous purpose declared and policy
determined upon to deal fairly with the
creditors and defend and uphold the integ-
rity Of the Commonwealth. 1t refers to an
arbitrary estimate Of values as the limit of
the capacity Of the State to protect its hon
or. instead of boldly assuming that the OBJ
legations sexist and the means should be
raised to meet them, whether the standard
OF assessment be high or low.
There is nothing in this Address that
should meet public expectation or command
the approval of the intelligence and moral
worth Of the State. 1t is the trimming,
cautious advance of scheming partizans,
covering beneath high-sounding and eupho-
neous sentences, a purpose to stir up strife,
lnflame passion, turn back the tide of pros
perity and arrest the march of genuine
civilization. tits, toe, famed before the
people at time when all the conservative
influences of the Commonwealth should
have sought affil iation for the promotion of
the public good and the assurance of salu-
tary government. Instead of Cancellation,
it invites contention and strife instead of
a generous rivalry in the service of the
State, it proclaims Tor angry conflict and
suicidal warfare. reckoning the social quiet
and advancement of the material interests
and the enlargement of the political power
OF the State, as secondary to the ambitions
OF Disseminating politicians.
Neither Mr.. Keiiey's Committee nor the
party it represents can arrest the forces
which are now shaping the currents of pub |
lie th ought and exposing the meaning and
0S"P g u hepuDlIcdH luSIlLuIiOuS. 1Hey
ma j, for time, obstruct the progress of
thu Z, influences which are at work in the in
tt rest Of liberal government and liberal
J IDEAS, but it will be but for time. Eventually
the full intent and purpose of the Constitu-
ton will have to be recognized, and the fact
demonstrated that the Anglo-Saxon race is
equal to the demands of gavornmenL OF
the people, by the people and for the peo-
pie; and that all factions and parties which
stand in the path OF the progressive forces
which look to the enlightenment and elevar-
ton of every class of citizens will have 10 I
give way to the onward march of these Lin :
fiuences. Mans devices cannot arrest tf .e
ordinations of Heaven, nor can the pct ty
plans and plots of selfish politicians " Urn
aside the currents of civilization thas has
its foundation not only in the truths 81 Re-
publican institutions, but in the moral sem
timents Of people trained under Ilhilan-
tropic and religious inspiration.
II