The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-05-04
Party Leaders.

being shorn of their at one time recog-
nized authority. This has been strikingly
illustrated in the present Congress. In
fact, neither party seems to recognize a
leader, or TO feel the necessity of that kind
of discipline that renders necessary
bell-weather. This was noticeable in the
case of Mr. Robson, on the Republican
side. in an early day of the session, and
equally marked in the case of Mr.. Randall,
on the Democratic side, at later period.
Neither of them could draw in line his po-
litical associates. nor restrain them from
voting as their convictions inclined. Upon
the Tariff Commission ill, while the Dem
ocrats generally lean TO a change by i'm
mediate legislative action so as to approx
mate policy OF revenue only from import du-
ties, there are members of the party who cam
not be drilled into obedience to the majority.
The comm ission is favored by the Republis
cans, yet there are few OF that party per-
suasion, who refuse to support the party pol
icy We find similar relation OF parties
on the bank charters, few Republicans
opposing. and a few Democrats supporting,
while the national banking system is
practically Republican progeny and UNI
der the fostering care of the Republican
party. The Chinese bill witnessed cor
responding arrangement of political forces
both parties dividing, and Republicans
voting with Democrats and Democrats
with Republicans. The only question
where only Democrats have voted for
and Republicans against, is the bill to
destroy polygamy. Every vote against
the bill was from the Democratic side,
while the Republicans as party sup
ported it, 1t would seem that the necessity
for strict caucus discipline and drill have
been dispensed with, and that questions
are supported and opposed according to
the individual views of members.
An admissible inference from this eondi-
ton of parties in Congress, would be that
a spirit of ndependentism is permeating
each of the old pol itical organizations
that dsmtegrating forces are at work in
each, and formative influences are di-
recting political associations in defiance OF
past party identity. 1t could hardly be eX-
pected that any radical change in party or
ganization could be effected so far as the
Republicans are concerned. Their party
faith is based upon the principles and poll
cy which have brought the country to its
present degree of prosperity Local infiu-
ences may modify the views Of member
49, o,,1
ganization of the party will remain the
same, commanding the approval and sup
port of the intelligence and wealth OF the
country. 1t is different with the Demo-
Gratis. Their policy has been to oppose
every Republican measure, whatever its
merits, and to direct their forces to embar-
rass the admin istrat ion in whatever meas
ures it might deem proper to enforce. 1t
might be expected that now and then
patriotic Democrat, reviewing the obstruc-
tive course and destructive tendency of his
party, would relent of the folly of such at
fiiation.a and throwing off the shackles ofpar-
| ty, declare for the policy that was best cal
culated to subserve the interests of the
country.
However this may be. we may take the
modification of party restraint in Congress
as rejection of the. influences that are OPP
Grating with the masses of the people. and
the spirit of unrest under party trammels
which is moving the political eruptions in
every State This is more plainly indi-
| Gated in the South Railroads and mate
rial development are awakening attention
to the folly of past political methods and the
arrangements of the sections thus created.
and inviting to more rational views of duty
and interest. Political leaders who do not
| grasp the situation and show that they com
prebend the needs of their section, will soon
find that their occupation is gone and that
more practical and progressive minds will be
invited to shape public policy and give tone
to public sentieent. And as healthy change
is affected in this direction in the South,
and through such influences a solid poiiti-
cal South gives way TO business. utilIta-
rian South, the reaction will be felt in the
North. and the solid Republican North
divide upon the practical, live issues which
enter into administrative policy affecting the
| North and South alike.
II is to such quiet, natural and legitimate
influences we must look to rearrange the
two great political parties of the country
and draw the line of demarcation bet1een
them; and not to little local eXpedents.
devoid of any governing national principle
and only designed to agitate community
and disturb party forces that political adj
venturers may float to the surface. There is
no political reform that is worth the name,
which does not find its cause and source in
considerations affecting the permanent well
fare of the people. AS this is touched pop
ular sympathy will respond, public sent-
ment be shaped and party association
controlled. 1t is in this way that
Bonr bonism in the South can be broken
up, restrictive and retroactive influences
corrected, and enlightened progressive pub
lie policy inaugurated.
Let us hope that the wane of partizan-
ism. as indicated in the manifestations to
which we have referred in Congress- is but
the prelude to higher political influences.
and that the theatre of their exercise will
be in the new South, where nature has so
layished her favors and so blended the sea-
sons that the north wind is tempered by
the aroma of flowers, and perpetual verdure
relieves the rays of tropical sun.
The repeal OF the whipping post law went
into effect on the 1st day of May. After that
date this barbarous institution of Bourbon re-
vival will be one of the things ofthe past, and
will be buried out of sight, forever, we hope.
The conscience of Virginia demanded Its re-
peal many years ago, ard the statute book
was cleansed of this stigma until 1876, when
the necessities of the Democratic party insti-
rated its establishment as a means of cir
cumvenLing the 14th amendment to the con-
stituton. The whole Conservative party was
responsible for this great wrong-Re- adjusters
as we'll as Bourbons,-and it was simple duty
on the part of the Readjuster democrats and a
few of the Bourbons, to aid the Republicans in
effecting its repeal They were responsible