The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-09-21
The Lesson Of Maine.

by the result OF the election in Maine. TO
the one it was an anti-admnistration anti
Liberal triumph and to the other exclusive
ly the success of Hon. james G. Blaine.
The one sees in it the overthrow Of the Lib
eral cause in Virginia and the other the
nomination of Mr.. Blaine as the Republican
candidate for President in 1884.
1t requires a very casual examination to
explode both of these theories, and to ex-
pose just what the Maine election means
and the direction its influence " i'll take.
It was the triumph Of the Republican
party, with a clean cut declaration of Re-
publican principles, supported by Republic
can candidates, and it was an emphatic
condemnation OF the Democratic party,
attitudenizing lis u double-head Fusion
monstrositv, without a declaration of prin-
ciple or policy. 1t was neither Blaine
victory. in a narrow personal sense, nor IN
administration defeat The friends of Mr..
Blaine and the friends of Mr. arthur la
bored side BIZ side for the success of the Re
publican cause, and ne ither thought of the
other or their relation to future events, eX.
cept as they may be connected with the
perpetuation of the Republican party aud
the welfare Of the country. No one thought
OF or would have dared to make the issue
of Blaine against Arthur or Arthur against
Blaine, during the progress Of the contest,
for the result had to be as much an admin
istratiOn success, representing the Republi-
can party, as Blaine triumph, who holds
the confidence and commands the esteem
of the Republican party of the country
President Arthur and the friends OF the
Republican party were as anxious for the
cause of the party to win as were the
friends of Mr.. Blaine. and both put forth
their best endeavors to make it win.
So far as the Liberal movement in Vir-
ginia is concerned. we doubt if it ever en-
tered the mind Of a single participant in
the Maine compaign. The Congressional
Comm ittee. which is friendly to the Liberal
cause in Virginia, labored earnestly and
appropriated means generously to aid the
Republican organization in Maine. Gov
ernlnent officers who are in thorough SYM
patty with the Liberals of Virginia, en-
tered the canvass and did all in their power
Chairman of the Repub lean State Com
mittee. aud the head of the Republican or
ganization in that State. is an outspokC II
aud active friend of the Liberal cause in
tbic Sfata Tho hrilliaut a.h ;nveonan+ IN
| Maine was the source of as much enjoy
ment to administration Republicans as 10
| Blaine Republicans, for these are only
such as they express personal preferences
aud not in any sense antagonizing Repub-
| lican success in any State or Section Of the
! Union. 1t was pure and simple Republi-
| can triumph and. looking to the future, a
declaration that the Republican party is
the strongest where it Is most pronounced
in its Republcauism, and that when the
canvass of 1884 is shaped it viii he npon a
distinct announcement of the principles
and policy which have heretofore. given
| Republican success and contributed so
much To the prosperity and progress of the
country.
There is a phase Of The Maine result from
which the Liberals of Virgins may extract
comfort and encouragement. II was an
emphatic declaration in favor OF the ep-
| forcement of law; for free ballot and fair
count; for the protection of American la
Dor and American Industries and for the
financial policy Of the government, which
has preserved the credit and enhanced the
glory of the nation. Totbese the Liberals
OF Virginia are committed 1t was a distinct
condemnation of an unpriucipled Fusion,
which represented a violation OF the Con-
stitution aud laws OF that State. as typified
in the Garcelon fraud and outrage Of 1880;
in the Greenback fallacy as represented by
PlaisUed. the Fusion clnd idate for Govern
or in 1882 and shameless disregard OF all
the conservative restraints of good govern
ment-in facJ duplication of Massey
Bourbonism in Virginia, which has 10
declaration of principle as it relates to
state or national affairs; incongruous ele
ments which are banded together in a strug-
gle for power and spoils, regardless of eve
ry other interest, and in defiance Of every
consideration OF public policy that looks
,,, .l-.l raa.
go, e... -.
..,,..-,. ~, :. ;,
~,
-, - -
49,, t(.o,,o,.a. sa,, lie h a,1,,ia,o.a ,,,,.'
:;,,
=. e'.1.;mo,;s... ..e ..,,1..:.1.I9,
p.,,i1..,a, ~. -. H. 49,. - ,,a.
80, p,,,,,;oa. Na.;s.,.,,
- ,ooI -, 80
.,l, ~
~
,oa, ~ - 80,
~ Ne','' -.
- 49,
ny -
-