The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-09-28
Hon. James q. Blaine interviewed.


that Mr.. Blaine should have been
but remarkable for the views
he expressed relative to Virginia matters.
10 our mind, il he is reported correctly, he
has committed the most serious blunder OF
his life, and exposed himself to criticism
from those who admire his genius, his So
cial attractions and political sagacity.
Mr.. Blaine is aware that the Liberal
movement in Virginia was endorsed and
sustained by President Garfield-that the
canvass of 1881 for Governor was shaped
after his suggestions. in part, and that this
position was taken by the President after
.he most earnest protest on the part OF
those who favored a regular Republican
ticket In that year. 1t is not necessary for
US to go into circumstantial statement OF
facts and occurrences to make this more
prominent and pronounced. 1t is enough
to know that the influence Of the admin
stration, through the officials OF the Law
and Treasury Departments. In Virginia,
was directed to the defeat Of the nOmina-
ton OF Republican ticket by the Lynch
burg Convention. 1t is enough to know
that this policy had the avowed sympathy
OF President Garfield, and that it was in
obedience to what was affirmed to be the
sentiment Of the great body OF the Repub-
lican party of the North, with such stall
wart Republicans as Senator Edmunds,
giving it his endorsement. While it may
be. and doubtless is true, that Mr.. Blaine
did not accept it as the best policy to be
pursued, yet he recognized the force Of the
influences which operated to give it shape
and to command the sanction OF the ad-
ministration. of which he was one OF the
const itutional advisers.
| President Arthur. therefore, In lending
/ countenance and support to the Liberal
| cause in Virginia, is simply giving en-
phasis to what Pres ident Garfield inaugur-
ated, and aiding in the consumma:ion of
\ liberal legislation, without which the
l original movement would have been q piece
Eof childish folly. There is no act of Presi-
| dent Arthur's administration which more
|. directly and exactly carries out the advice
and counsel and purpose Of President Gar
/ field, than that which gives sanction to the
liberal cause in Virgins now in its nnal
| struggle for tangible and enduring sue
Ecess. President Garfield, understanding
the debt question, and knowing that the
Bourbon faction did not propose. and new.
Ter had proposed to deal frankly and fairly
with it, and that the Republicans were
kpowerless Of themselves to give effect to
FRepublican views on This matter. passed
from this to the paramount consideration
eof the ballot, the public schools and the
whipping post. The manner and motive oil
placing the capitstion tax restriction upon
J the ballot, and the institution OF the whip.
ping-post, and the distractions to the pub
lie schools, after the adoption Of the State
/ Constitution Of 1869. giving the solemn
pledge and assn rance it contained, he re-
sxarded as a fragrant breach of public faith
tie carefully exam ined the State laws or
these subjects and their relation TO the
purpose and intent of the C CONSTITUTE ion,
Rand freely expressed his convict ion thai
they were reflection upon the civilization
F-of the age and in contradiction of the whole
theory of our government. And from q
moral AZ we'll as political standpoint, hi
Edid not hesitate to give expression to the
!opinion that the Republicans should make
go nominations at Lyn chburg, but sustain
the Liberal ticket, framed, as it was, In
apart, in accordance with his suggestion
policy VIII ich we did not approve and die
knot support until a failure of the Lynch
sburg Convention to present to the people
ticket nominated in the form and with thu
sanction OF Legitimate majority of tn,
|.-delegates. These are facts susceptible O
the clearest and most indisputable demon
tstration.
We regard the present contest as compre
offending the same issues as those waged II
1881. That was the mere skirmish engage
Eanent and this the Waterloo to either thu
Bourbons or Liberals. 1t Is to hold thu
hentrenchments then taken, from which /
1.-The Liberals are driven all that has beer
accomplished may be undone and our las
Eestate become worse than the fast.
So far as the debt question was DON
cerned, that too was examined by Presi
/ dent Garfield, and while not giving hi
sanction to the proposition Of the Readjus
tiers. be regarded it as Infinitely more hon
orabls and creditabls than the policy Of ths
Bourbons, posing in the role of debt-pay
ers, but never paying and openly declaring
that they would make no provision for pay
ing. The Readiuster settlement, indeed
is defensible in equity. Taking the Who'll,
question in Its original relations in 1865
the arrangement effected by the las
Legislature Is morally right and lawfully
last, except ~ to the rate Of interest-th,
same. however, that the ''debt payers pro
posed. We, however, do not propose Il
: discuss this point, at this time.
II We are not concerned about the sugges
tiOns of Mr.. Blame as to the duty of tn,
Federal government in relation to the Vir
ginis debt. We are very sure that North
, srn Republican sentiment Is not prepared
to accept any such policy. We are equal
" sure that the people OF Virginia are moi
posing in the role Of mcndicants. They
are satisfied with the settlement made, ant
are able to meet its obligations promptly
and 1t is their purpose to do SO, which ough
to satisfy all others.
OF course the expressions OF Ar. Blaine
have been eagerly seized upon by the Viz
gihia Bonrbons, and circulated as a can
paign document in their own behalf, for II
is assumed that he is in sympathy with the
Straightout movement, which is simply an
auxiliary to the Bourbon tactic in THU
contest. When it is recalled what has been
' already done BY the Liberal party in thii
State, and the contrast drawn between the
: administration Of the faction Nj. Blaine'i
policy encourages and that Of the Readjus.
tiers as 1t relates to the Public Sch ools, the
whipping post, a free ballot and Just and
righteous government, looking to and con.
corning the interests of the people, we car.
! not see how he or any Northern or South
ern Republican can fail to give his eounte.
; nance and support to the l. LIBERAL cause. No
mans opinion or opposition can arrest Ito
; onward march, but stateemanship should
incite a careful study OF the influences In