Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-11-21
Canse and Effect.

Canse and Effect.
We are not prophets, nor sons of the
and therefore cannot even in
dulge in speculation about the future of
Democracy, which involves momentous
and vital issues for the adherents of the
dominant creed-so to speak. But we
can indulge in few thoughts suggested
by the recent political Democratic victo
ry. The deductions to be drawn from
Tuesdays conquest are indeed plain and
easily understood by those who have
watched the course of political events
since the termination of the war in 1865.
The distinctive principles which have
upheld the Republican government
since that memorable period, and which
were strongly advocated by some of the
best men throughout the country; by a
system of legislation, national and State,
have been noticed as degenerating and
deteriorating, more and more, until all
of its vital forces, which gave it power,
has at last snapped of its own rottenness
and corruption, and the intermeddling
in State affairs by the nations chief Ex-
ecutive. Lacking sentiment that
should have been patriotic in its charac.
ter and tone, and consideration for the
general preservation of the principles
and forms of true Republican govern
ment, it sought 3 Capitalization of pow"
er that it might WELD, ad Abituns, in
the fancied security its reign was peren
NAL, forgetting the eyes Of the people
were watching, and the mutability OF
governments and Kingdoms. Moving
along in this reckless, shiftless manner.
and backed by money. it has. at last,
awaked from its trance to find itself
mistaken" and another party in the
ascendancy. Now that another element
will, to All extent, assume the reigns OF
government, 1t behooves each and every
representative of the new party to re
count the past of republicanism and ali
of its heinOus, Objectionable features
that brought it into disgrace, and GOV
cred it with universal obloquy. that il
may be lantern to their political foot
steps. Let the welfare of the country
the Developments of Its resources, the in
terest and prosperity of her people, ano
that which shall make her the ''envied
of nations" be the one grand, leading.
paramount consideration, and not self
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and the spoizs of Office.
The disintegration, caused by the recen,
defeat of the Republican party, is un-
questionably widespread and universal
revealing the fact that there is linn
it, an end to all things. Now that the
eyes OF the people no longer see through
a glass darkly, let them assume the ag
gressive and battle manfully in the flu,
ture for the maintenance of those prin
ciples of liberty and justice which form
the bulwarks of honest governments
The Democracy has before it, opportu-
MES W hich were never theirs before, and
it remains now for the exercise of pru
dence and forethought to be the CONTROL
ing factors in their acts and utterances,
that crder and righteous government
may be evolved from political chaos
The better class of republicans have
shaker off the letters which bound
them, aud almost, una v0cc, declared at
the polls, their independence and desire
for form of government that will meet
the requirements of the age. The com.
plexion of the Congress elect breathes
hope and confidence in the American
people, and argues better and more aus
picious times-the dawn of an era that
whispers of peace and harmony. The
national verdict has been pronounced,
and honor, justice, and liberty, shall
frame the notices of the Democratic flag
that the Uor 2oopssH has flung to the
breeze. What the line of policy will be
lies hidden behind the veil of the future
Let US hope that wisdom and pru
dence will shape their policy so that
''all things may be so ordered and set
tied by their endeavors, upon the best
and surest foundations, that peace and
happiness, truth and justice, religion
and piety, may be established"