The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-01-12

our readers II the first message is an au-
curry of the administration OF Gov. Cam.
eron. we may reasonably expect brilliant
and successful one.
We have rather warm side for our can
did, free spoken contemporary OF the Lynch
burg Adcance. There is a spice about its
audacity and vigor in its sentences which
rise above the general run of Virginia news
papers. We, however, are rarely ever found
in accord with its views OF public questions,
For instance. we took occasion several
weeks since 10 commend resolution Of
fered by Senator Blair. of New HampshiIe e.
| when member OF Congress. in 1876, pro-
posing an amendment 10 the National
Constitution prohibiting the distillation OF
spiritnous liquors after 1900. The 4drance
pitches into the proposition savagely, and
says of the author OF it Mr.. Blair is a ia
matte. and as his speech is used as a temper
ance document il would be well for the
people to read his other speeches and from
all they will find Mr.. Blair but violent, ia
| natIcal, radical enthusiast, who is inyentine
apologies for the corruptions and bad civil
| service Of his party and doing what such
men always do, laying the sins OF his party
and its leaders on whiskey or Satan. instead
Of he effects of total depravity, cultivated
| by Republican doctrine and Radical prac-
tice.'
| This is pretty savage indictment and
very much like the assaults which were
| made upon the abolitionists many years
ago, when the slavery question began to be
/ agitated i'm earnest. Chattel slavery and
| free whiskey were cardinal canons in the
having been destroyed. il is natural that
the remaining bantlng should invite an in
tenser affection. But the time is coming
| when MIR. Blair's proposition to dispense
with the distiilation OF spirits by const;tu-
tional prov is ion, will be looked upon with
more favor than the Adrance now regards
t.; and then the last prop OF the Demo-
| cratic party will be clean gone forever. Our
contemporary does not reach TO the bottom
Of the question, but rather INDUCES in ugly
words to show its aversion to any interior
ence with the debasement and prostitution
of the appetites. 1t is. however, subject
that should comm and the most patient and
serious attention, and this it will do. in
spite of Democratic TRADES such as we have
quoted from the Adrance. 1t is and will
be no mere party question. but one that
will draw to it the best minds and the
broadcast and biggest hearts OF the country
and force itself upon the acceptance of all
who study the welfare of the people and
the growth and perfection Of our Republi-
can institut ions, There is great oral
force involved. and its power will increase
until its mission is accomplished.
The remarkable rescr ipt of the German
Emperor fOreshadows u conflict in that
country, which VIII sweep from power the
imperial family. Whom the Gods wish
to destroy they first make mad" is il
Illustrated in the extraordinary views the
Emperor proclaims, in this age Of advanced
ideas and liberal thought. Nihilism will
be stimulated to renewed activity and a,,-
ances and repressive policy of the En-
peror. 1t is strange, indeed. with the pop
ular commotiOn all through Germany, Aus
tria and Russia, and the example of the
French Republic right at the door OF Ger
many. that the Emperor should have dared
to proclaim such arbitrary and ex-
elusive power for himself We venture the
prediction that il will not be twelve months
before the German Empire is torn by the
throes of revolution and the pillars which
uphold the fabric Of despotism. shaken to
their very base. il not toppied to their
ruin. The Emperor little compsehends
the inner workings of the minds and amb-
tons of his subjects and the force of the
example Of Republican institutions, if he
supposes that simple parchment bulletin,
can suppress the yearnings for freedom
which are now moving the peoples Of the
eastern continent. The days of one man
power are numbered and such stage exhi-
billions as are presented by Kaiser Wilhelm,
will only intensity the purpose and .incite
the activity OF those who feel the restric-
tons and realize the expressions placed
upon them by their rulers. The thought Of
the civilized world is tending to liberalism
and the more it is antagon lied the more it
will grow and spread.
The guarded and cautious criticism Of the
German press on the mperious declaration
OF the Emperor, shows the influences that
constantly hover oyer the journalist, and
the apprehension entertained of prison walls
and heavy fines from too free expression Of
sentiment. This kind of oppression cannot
Lest long. The atmosphere of civilization
is unecngegial with it. and the time is not
distant when the whole German Empire
will feel the shock OF .iAe Volcanic forces
which now uneasily slumber beneath Irbe sur
face.
MI. Noah G. Wefaasg.er, who lives near Day