The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-04-20
"This way Democrats. /"

the Readjusters to break from the coalition
and return to the Bourbon fold. because
of the announcement Of the Wing and
the Bristol Neacs, that the Readjusters
of Virginia intend to support the Admin
istration of President. Arthur. It is not
stated why the Readjusters should repu-
diate the victory they have achieved, and
join in with those who, by every means,
fair and foul, attempted to defeat them
Certainly there is nothing in the record OF
the Bourbon Democracy OF Virginia 10
command the admiration or support OF those
who are acquain with its history and the
wrongs it has been instrumental In lnnict
ing upon the State. There is no change in Its
methods and purposes which relieves It OF
the cd ium that attaches to 1t, BY reason OF
past delinquencies. When Readjusters are
in vited '.this way''-that is to rush to
Bourbon embrace-then it is suggestive OF
several inquiries. Is it to 60 back to the
political association that fastened upon the
State the coupon contract, and thus diverted
the school fund from the purpose the Con-
stitution dedicated it, that the coupon
holder m ight be satisfied, at the expense OF
the education of the poor children OF the
Commonwealth Is it intended that By the
power secured by the numerical strength
that would be given by the Readjusters
joining the Bourbons, the verdict OF
the people last fall should be reversed and
the liberal and enlightened policy inaugur-
ated by the Governor and Legislature con-
demned? Is it the purpose to justify Bour-
bon administration in increasing the public
obligat ions by defaulting in interest, and
placing the State in the category OF repu-
dating Commonwealth. at the same time
of declaring the obligations thus assailed,
right and just? Is it to accept Bourbon
rule, with all of its wrongs and infidelities,
nd to. install in power those who have de-
nounced Readiusters and all who aided and
sympath lied with them as traitors to their
State, and enemies to the peace and pro-
gress of the Common wealth ana country?
When the Readiusters are approached
with an invitation to ground their arms and
surrender to the foe they have vanquished,
without Observation-Disclosures q reason,
and with no other hope than that OF becOm-
! ing the servile instruments of investing
with authority those who have in the past
so shamefully abused it, they will hesitate
before they turn willing ear to the syren
song, or throw off their defensive armor
7 hey have passed through too many fierce
and bitter conficts-have endured too many
insults and denunciations-have too many
evidences of Bourbon treachery and decep-
ton, ever again to trust them, and es-
pecially to place themselves at the mercy OF
Bourbon justice and charity.
These Invita- ions for the Readiusters to
return to the Bourbon fold are inspired by
the traditional prejudices which have dis
tinguished the Bourbon party. Because the
Re-adjusters express their willingness to
support the national administration that
has supported them-because they accept
the open tender of the sympathy and en-
co uragemeEt of the influences which are
able to assist and benefit the whole South,
and are being directed especially to Vir-
ginia to raise her dropping fortunes-the
have the desired effect There could be
nothing more short-sighted or superficial.
The people of the South know that the
North is not hostile to them. The stricken
districts where yellow death swept over like
a bosom of destruction-the desolate homes
and denuded fields where the terrors of the
flood have brought desolation and want,
tell the story of Northern sympathy and
tangible aid, which belle all the clamor and
fustian about Northern hate and distrust.
The wealth and charity of the North re-
sponded in lavish liberality to the demands
of the yellow fever sufferers, until there
was no occasion to call for more. Money
and clothing and bread were poured out
with unstinted hand from Northern treas
ures, responding to that touch Of human
ity which makes all the world akin, and
| Northern votes were quick to come to
the rescue of Southern wants, in demand
ing national aid from those whose misfor-
tune it was to encounter the desolation Of
the waters in the Mississippi Valley. If the
Northern people were hostile to the South
ern people, there would have been no such
manifestations. They would have laughed
a. our calamity and Knocked when our fear
came, and turned away from our appeals for
help, when our own resources had utterly
failed.
1t is not the people of the South, but the
Bourbon politicians, who estrange the Sec
tions and make it appear that the North is
the enemy of the South. And it is because
the liberal policy of the Readjusters in
Virginia is awakening thought to the real
cause OF the apparent arrangement be-
tween the North and South, and the people
are arousng to the importance of breaking
the Bourbon power which has heretofore
done so much harm, that Bourbon fears are
excited and Bourbon appeals made for a
return of those who have become divorced
from them. They know that the day of
doom is at hand, unless they arrest the
forces that are revolutionizing old methods
and old preiudices, and directing the popu-
lar mind to higher aims than the hates of
portion to the advance of liberal ideas is
the decay Of Bourbon power, for the one
is at enmity with the other, and must be
ever at war with its policies and methods.
All the interests of the South-social, ma
terial and political-demand a new order
of things-the destruction of the old Do
litical oligarchy and the infusion of new
blood, new thought and progressive ideas
into the economy OF the Southern States
Whatever may be the faults Of the Read
iusters, they have done good work in Vir-
ginia, the influence Of which is being man
Tested in other States, and must eventually
consummate a revolution in the political
and industrial relations Of the Southern
people. 1t is because of this tendency and
consequent death to Bourbonism, that the |
effort is being made to re-unite the Demo-
cratic party in Virginia, and appeals are
made to the old prejudices VIII ich served so
good purpose for the effete politicians. |
But light is abroad. Five years Of stubborn |
contest have enlarged the comprehension,
stirred the spirit and confirmed the deter
in otinn If tho rovOltinO fnraoc Thov |