The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-03-24
The State Canvass.

We are of those who believe a canvass
should be made this fall to draw out the senti-
ment of the people of Virginia on the ques-
| ton of State credit We are well satisfied in
our own mind that if the Republican party
would take high stand on the question, in
recognizing the decisions of the Courts and
the obligations of the people under them as
well as those growing out of the just claims OF
the creditors, it would command following
that would determine the issue, finally and
forever; and place the Commonwealth where
it ought to stand in the eyes of all enlightened
judgments. The Republicans, as party,
| however, cannot enter into contest with the
Re-adjuster faction, the Bourbons and the ad-
ministration, too. With the pronounced aid
of the latter we could not only make an issue
but win on it. Without it, such contest
would be failure, if not farce. With it the
Republican strength could be consolidated and
the power thus crystalized could be welded
to the building up OF the Republican party in
| Virginia upon solid foundation, and strength
en- the Republican party of the nation. All
the reforms which have been proposed could
be secured with the success attending such a
canvass. The better and more liberal element
of both factions of the Democratic party be-
gin to understand that the legislation enacted
into law to circumvent and nullify the amend
ments to the National Constitution and de-
prive the colored people Of their rights, is
doing the State more harm than good, and
that there can be no peace, and but limited
prosperity. so long as these unjust and uncon-
stitutional restrictions stand and are practically
enforced. A well directed canvass, with a
ticket composed of good men, personally &C.
ceptable and commanding the confidence of
the people, in our judgment, would result in
favorable verdict. 1t would only be declar-
alton of sentiment for we do not think pop
ular verdict can in any way affect the deter
mination of the courts, as 1t relates to that
portion of the debt coming under their cogni-
zance.
If however, the canvass shall be so shaped
as to have but two tickets in the field, and the
debt question is practically submerged by 9th
er issues of vital concern to the masses, it will
be the policy of the Republicans to support
the one whose policy is in accord with the lib
eral sentiment of the country and is reflected
in the National Constitution and laws, as they
are. There are obligations resting upon the
people, just as high and just as binding to
maintain the amendments to the constitution
the contract they embody-as any growing
out of the debt question and indeed, viewed
from national standpoint, more imperative
than any that attaches to the relations be-
tween the creditors and the State. The one is
a commercial transaction, affecting the bust
ness interests of the Commonwealth. The
other is a political consideration, touching the
fundamental principle of our governmental
system and tar more deeply duplicating public
faith than the dollars and cents involved in
the other. 1t not only has bearing upon the
material and political future of Virginia, but
directly affects the entire South, comprehend
ing as it does the peace, prosperity and politi-
cal power of every Southern State.
The attempt will be made, if the canvass
should drift from the debt question, as every
indication now points, to that to which we
have referred, to narrow it to the mere
ISSUE of race supremacy. Patriotic men will
view it differently, and while the mere
political agitators will endeavor to force Bit
ter crusade against the colored man, the lib
eral craftsmanship of the country and the
conservative influences of the people will ele-
yate it above that into broad policy to invite
the South into harmonious political and COM
mercal relations with the North, that the well
fare of the whole country may be subserved.
We should, above all things, deplore can
vass crcumscribed by inflammatory appeals to
popular passion. Nothing could be more
harmful to all the great interests of the State,
but should the effort I've made as it will be, to
force this issue, the good sense and rational
judgment of the people will have to be invoked
to repudiate it and forever silence the pestif-
erous demagogues whose ambition reaches no
higher than the mere favors of party.
The large emigration OF the youth of
the Valley of Virginia to the Western
States is much to be regretted. There has
never been, within our remembrance, such
a perfect fever to leave Virginia as has been
developed this winter and spring. Out of
the many who leave the State, very few Of
them will better their condition, and num-
bers of them will wish, before many moons. |