The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-08-17
The Issues OF the Canvass.


will of the voters not only as to their rep |
resentative in Congress, but as to the State
policy that they favor, for it is not rash to
assume that the result of that election viii
have controlling effect upon the future
political identity of Virginia. rf.,.-
With us it is. therefore. not so much the
man as the policy involved that we are IN
terested in. The VIRGINIAN has for the
past dozen years been the consistent ana
aggressive advocate of every measure and
legislative enactment that looked to liberal
izing public thought, cultivating better
understanding between the sections, draw
ing the people closer to the national gov
eminent, and Matchmaking not only our
relations but our sympathies. We believe
that the future progress and prosperity OF
the South-commensurate with her natural
resources and the possibilities they assure,
demand that there should be broader and
wiser conception of our obligations than
those suggested by the passions and hates
Of the war. To antagonize the influences
naturally and logically emanating from the
fundamental law of the country, and grow
ing out of the accepted and fixed results OF
the war. would only present us to the coun-
try as impotent obstrnctionists, learning
nothing from the lessons of experience,
and accepting nothing that did not assimi
late with sectional notions and obsolete and
exploded dogmas. By resisting tie inevi-
| table and clinging to prejudices and views
associated with the past and its errors. as
we'll as it misfortunes, we only expose a
perverse temper, inconsistent with and for
eign to practical craftsmanship. and invite
the distrust and contempt of the progress
sive and enlightened people who recognize
the duty of moulding and utilizing present
opportunities and reaching to all the pos
| sibilities that the future might hold IN
| store. ai JrN. -
We have favored the acceptance, in spirit
and intent, OF the amendments to the ma
tional constitution and the laws for their
enforcement-the practica and unreserved
recognition of the rights they secure and
the enjoyment of every privilege by the
the la VS. confer. We believe it to be the
duty of the State to sustain the public
| school system to the fullest extent OF its
growth and usefulness, TO the end that
every one who is factor in government
may be educated up to an understanding
and appreciation of his duty and privileges.
The ballot should be free, with no leg sla-
tive device or contrivancc to destroy its
purity or encumber its exercise. The ill.,
Fiction of stripes, as a common pun ish-
menI for petty otfeuces, we looked upon as
reflection upon orr civilization and a
stigma upon the moral sentiment of the
age. As means of popuarizing govern
ment and attaching the sympathies OF the
people to it, we have opposed the exerc Use
of power by little family and class rings
and the assumption that grew out of it,
that the State and its authority belonged to
the few and not the many. We believe, in
short, in the native honesty OF the masses
and that the nearer their influence is
brought to bear upon the Administration of
public affairs and is felt in the ramifca-
tions OF government, the purer, the more
beneficent and prosperous it will be.
:, These views are cardinal with us, and have
governed the editorial conduct of this
journal. ...,. r-i.. 4t..,i ,
We are called upon now to put to the
test the convictions which stand behind
these declarations. They are not peculiar
to us. Others entertain them who are not
associated with the same party nom inalism.
1t is not the party, therefore, which is es-
sential, but the ideas, whether held and
advocated by one political identity or an
other. Cd -"'t' f'
The Readiusters and Republicans are
of one mind upon all these points. They
are represented in this contest by Capt.
John s. Wise, with whom we were at va
rance few years ago. He maintains,
: however, the same views of state policy,
gested, that We do, and it is matter OF
lesser importance whether he is identified
with the same political nomnalism that
we are or not, SO that the practical result
of his election would be the triumph of the
principles involved.
Not only is there accord between the
announced views of Capt. Wise on the
subjects we have mentioned and those en-
tie rtaned by the party with which we stand
related, but there is identity of conviction
as it regards the great American policy OF
building up home industries. protecting and
encouraging home labor and developing
and utilizing our natural wealth. upo n
the banking system and the finance ques-
ton, and of Matchmaking public sent j.
ment, allgning Virginia in sympathy and
commercial ties with the enlightened and
progressive communities and influences
which are doing so much to shape. and
mould the destiny for our country.
Opposed to these views is the record of
the Bourbon faction in State affairs, as well
as in the broader field of national politics,
and Massey carries its colors. His success
would be the success of the party he repre-
sents in this canvass, and all that it means.
4 1t would be direct reversal of the judy
ment recorded by the people in November
last, and positive condemnation of all the
legislation which has been enacted by the
party which went iato power as the result
of the election of 1881 4of..'i.i
Recall the condition of the public schools
before the Readiusters entered the politics
of the State as a separate and distinct par
ty the prostitution of the ballot-boX, which
had become notorious at every important
election; the default in interest on the
States obligations by which the debt bur-
den upon the people was, increased every
year; and contrast 6hem with the present
satisfactory and gratifying improvement in
everything connected with our public edu-
cational system; the absence Of complaint
against partizan methods and corrupt
practices affecting the ballot the acquies-
cense and confidence in the arrangement
for the settlement of the debt Implications.
Let the public mind be directed calmly and
dspassionately to consideration of these
facts. weigh them in the light that they re-
late to government and the present and fu-
ture prosperity and progress of the Conn
monwealtt, and determine for themselves,
whether known as Republicans, Readjus-
| +orc or na,noorato what is their 1ptUs In