The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-11-09
The Results.

The elections on the 9TH throughout the
United States, and the results recorded in
another column, were no surprise to us. We
were prepared for anything. There never
has been since 1874, such feeling of I'M
rest with the Republican masses. and not
then were the complaints so deep seated,
as they touched the consciousness OF the
people. It is one of the characteristics of
the Republican party that it has the cour-
age to reform its own shortcomings. and
does not stop short of heroic agencies to
rebuke persistent tendency to lower
political tone. Not even the apprehension
of Democratic success in the off-year and
tire reversal of State adm Illustrations have
had sufficient terrors to arrest the purpose to
purify political methods and preparing the
party for the grander and more vital en-
counter which involves the control of the
national government.
The ordeal which the Republican party
deliberately invited and heroically accept
ed, in the N engagement OF forces and the
declaration of convictions on the 18th inst,
assures a capitalization of the power two
years hence when a President is to be
elected. The complications and dissen-
sions, and defeat-not defeat in the Ordi-
nary political significance OF the term, but
as a means to future victory-will only
serve to unite and strengthen the organi-
ton. and bring into action its old time Wig
or and irrest ibility.
The control of the 4sth Congress by the
Democratic party will not be an unmixed
evil. The disgraceful squabble VIII ich char
acterized the organization OF the 10th Con-
eress, over the distribution of the offices, and
the scandalous record made on that occasion,
will doubtless be repeated, and attract the
attention of the country to the guage OF po-
litical sintegrty which distinguishes that
organization. But. in the infliction OF
harmful or revolutionary legislation upon
the country they will be powerless. The
Republicans will have the Senate and the
Executive Department, and have the power
| to hold in check Democratic excuses and
| assure conservative and safe legislation.-
Power sufficient to expose the tendencies
of Democratic policy will be given, but
it will not be potential for mischief, and
| in this will be furnished the evidence to
the country that it would be hazardous to
transfer to its control the administration
4 Of the government in all Vt its depart
ments.
The victory achieved in Virginia is more
expire ssive and significant as to State admin
| istration and national tendencies than the
defeats we have noted. Here it was dis
| tinct declaration of support for the admins
tration on the part Of the successful organ
ization. 1t was rebuke to Bourbon meth
ODDS and wrongs in the representative State
of the South and forever divorces Virginia
from the control of BouIb bon sentiment
and Bourbon machinery. 1t was more than
this-it was brave announcement that the
ballot should hereafter be free, and that
the price which had been imposed on il
was unjust in itself and in violation of the
spirit Of Republican institutions. The Re
publicans had made this cardinal tenet
of their faith, and in securing the adop
ton OF the amendments to the Constitution
: which remove the ballot restriction. they
have gained what they contended for for six
years, but vainly. The citizen OF Virgins
is now free, whether white or black, ant
one of the most pregnant sources OF cor
ruption and fraud removed from our cleo
ton machinery.
We congratulate the brave men who faced
prescription, villifcation and all kinds o
abuse and Islander on the 7th, in behalf of
great principle and a great cause, and sincerel.
believe that henceforth and forever the OLE
Commonwealth will stand emancipated from
the rule of the Bourbon faction.