Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1882-08-09
WOODSTOCK. VIRGINIA.
Wednesday, Aug. o. 1852.

THE political history of this country
affords much food for reflection. How
ever varied 1t may be, there is no poi
ton of 1t more interesting than that OF
Virginia. 1t has been but short time
since the people of this State were
divided politically into two parties the
parties which represented the two
American ideas Of the best Republican
government. The one contendlng ior
q strong government and disposed TO
make the central authority so lnde-
pendent that it would practically be-
come the source of power; the other
Jealous of the rights and liberties OF the
people, and restricting the general gov
eminent to the exercise Of such iunc-
tons only as were delegated to 1t by
The act of the sovereign people. The
former named itself the Republican
party and the latter chung 10 the appro-
pirate name Ui the Democratic party.
Such was the division Of parties,
few years ago in Virginia. The Slate
was Democratic and Democrats held
all the important State offices. The
element of the party that enjoyed
none of the offices naturally became
dissatisfied. So long as Representatives
faithfully performed their duties, there
was no way of displacing them; tor
Democrats would vote for their Dem0-
cratic officers.
For a leader they selected a man
who had displayed talent as an organi-
ger and. whose ambitious hopes had
been so roughly crushed that 1t would
afford him the greatest pleasure to de-
story the party that had refused 10 &C =
knowledge his supremacy. He was un-
doubtedly the man for the place and his
subsequent conduct has fully proved
that so far as it depended upon him, he
was prepared to FL any role which his
engagement demanded.
The debt question which was burden
and could be enlarged Indefinitely by
buncomb speeches of aspiring pollu-
clans made an excellent issue. The
leader boldly announced his platform
but finding il would probably be ac-
ceptab,e to the creditors of the State as
well as 10 the mass of the people, pass
lively gave way while subordinate was
permitted TO change this important tea
ture by making the issue more ooIec'
tionable. The Legislature was elected
and by obtaining control OF the negro
members a faction of the democratic
party came into power just before the
presidential election OF 1880.
1t was no difficult task 10 collect the
dissatisfied elements, anu make break
in the old party.
The presidential campaign OF that
year, it seemed opened a fine oppor-
tunity for this new combination Of
political aspirants 10 gain prominence.
Their first scheme to run an indepen-
dent ticket, pledged to neither party
fell still born. Their second effort to
capture The Republican convention and
have their nondescript ticket endorsed
by that body failed. Flattering them
selves as possessing great influence
among democrats, they appeared on
the field with an independent Hancock
and English ticket. 1t is well known
how they boosted of their strength, but
before the lection they were painfully
conscious Of their weakness and pitt
fully implored the Republicans to aban-
don their OWE ticket and come to their
relief. Their efforts failed and the first
presidential ticket Of this new party
was repudated by the people by a
lIelueuuOuo iDdJOilt1'
A party whose only motive was the
attainment Of success was not hamper
ed by party lines or political princi-
ples. They made their next fight, not
as a democratic party, but as a liberal
party, and by means which will pro-
badly never be made known 10 the
mass of the people, they secured the
inhueuce and patronage Of Republican
admins ration. BY this arrangement
they secured sufficient aid to get pos>
session of the Legislature. The his
tory of that body is we'll known to our
people. The disgraceful contest for
Offices. the humiliating aud servile sub
mission Of this party to the dIctation
of q Radical administration, the pro-
scriphve and tyranlcal exercise OF the
powers temporarily conferred upon
them, the effort to sacrifice the interests
and even the liberties of the people in
order 10 gain the smiles OF an hostile
administration, their failure and defeat
by the noble stand taken by five mem
bers OF their own party, constitute II
portion Of lie political history OF Viz
GINA which every true lover OF the
State would willingly blot from her re-
cord.
Disappointed and tha2rined, they
adjourned the Legislature,
In tie contest for Representatives in
Congress. they are compelled to come
before the people with lame excuses
ior past delinquencles and new devices
TO deceive the masses. Without the
support OF the Republicans, they arc
40 insignificant minority. They can
only secure 1t by abandoning the prin-
ciples for which they have contended
for Years, and which are dearer 10
the true American citizen than all
else. with each contest new name
.,.,,at no damned and fhOse who a few 1