The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-02-10

bonds are concerned.
The Lynchburg Adoa7ece truthfully asserts
that the attempt to interfere with the cap
itation lax. and the means of enforcing its
payment is a war on property and honest
industrious labor.-NoJoN Ledger.
Instead of being war upon property we
are inclined to the opinion that the enforce
ment of the captation-taX restriction upon
suffrage is a war upon manhood rights.
much higher and more sacred than proper
ty. 1t is one of the ways the Democratic
press has of putting the case to excite the
preiudces of the rich against the poor, and
disturb the healthy arrangement and har-
moEy of society. If it is only the money
value of the tax that the Democratic party
desires in orderto sustain the public schools,
that result could be more easily reached
by the methods adopted in the Constitution
Of LOuiSiana-making the poll-taN a lien
not only upon property but upon wages.
and following either wherever it may be
found. with no Imitation as to time
This would be much more effectual and
certain way of augmenting the school fund.
and yet not interfere with the elective fran
chise. But it is not the public schools which
excite the solictude of our Democratic
friends. 1t is to discriminate against the
the negro vote-to circumvent the constitu-
tional provision, which gives him the right
to vote. and not to add to the school fund
or perfect the school system, that this re-
nj i- la m
country makes its wealth, and whether that
labor is fortunate enough to accumulate
more than is sufficient for bare subsistence
or not. it contributes to the creation OF
values and the axable resources upon which
government revenues are based.
The Lynchburg FTg,naan is much more
unguarded and ingenious than the Adrance
in its methods of treating the question. 1t
boldly announces that the Democratic par
ty will demand the retention in the con-
stitution of the restrictive provision, be-
cause to modify or repeal it, would endan-
ger the supremacy of that party in certain
counties where the negroes have majOrity.
This is admission that the design OF its
enactment and the purpose of its perpetu-
ZION are to diSfranchise the negro and in
doing so, violate the constitution.
This bitter and unjust warfare upon the
rights OF the negro is the very quintescence
If Bourbonism. The interests of society.
If commerce, material development and
State progress, are impaired and checked
by this incessant appeal to race prejudices.
We're true craftsmanship to control in deal
ing with the newly enfranchised class the
negro would soon become most conser-
vative element of government because
justice and liberality in the recognition Of
his rightswould stimulate him to improve
ment, and draw him more closely into
ratification with all the agencies which
are the dependence of the Commonwealth
for its advancement. One thing may be
taken for a fact, that there will be no peace
in the politics of Virginia until this restrc
ton is removed, and that it will be re-
moved, 5 as certain as the right will even
tually prevail. Public thought i'll the State
and all through the South is daily becom-
ing more liberalized. The craftsmanship of
our section is becoming restless under
the repressive and obstructive meth.
DDS and the constipated policies of the
Scheming, selfish politicians, and it will
not be very long time before this
question of manhood rights will dwarf all
others and its recognition be enforced in
enlightened and philanthropic legislation
The best security for property and the sur
est guarantee OF good government is the
observance of organic and statute law
Every attempt to avoid or circumvent
either by legislative devices operating for
partizan advantage and instigated by par
tizan necessities. is an impairment of the
moral tone Of a people, and is as certain to
work out its penalties as effect follows
cause. No party can stand and 10
people can prosper which encourage a de-
parture from the demands of justice. and are
guided by passion instead of reason. The
volcanic forces which have shaken the Con-
sentative party to pieces have their seat in
the infidelity of that party to the COnstitu-
ton of the country and the plighted faith
of the people. They have not yet spent
their power, but will in still more fearful
effect demonstrate that the rights of the
people cannot be abused and denied with |
impunity.
rs.,;a I;.Il D,iI