The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-11-09
"Principle" and "Profigacy."


that the present political campaign is pre-
eminently a contest of principle against
profiqacy." assigning to the Bourbons the
advocacy of the former and to the Liber-
ais Identification with the latter. But for
the euphony of the ALTERATION, which some
times, to the poetic mind, Is sufficient COM
pensation for the absence OF argument, we
doubt whether the Chronicle would have
exposed itself to criticism in so transparent
a manner. It is a notorious fact that the
party it speaks for went into this canvass
without the declaration OF single prin-
ciple or policy, as it affects either state or
national adm inistration, and without re-
cognized candidate for the only office that
called for general vote. Not only did the
Bourbons not have platform or candl-
date, but during the entire progress OF the
contest, there was not single measure OF
State or national policy advocated or even
presented for discussion by that party. IL
was one continuous and persistent denun-
citation of what was called BOSS ISM" stall
wartsm, and a desperate appeal to the
prejudices of the people to array them
against Republicanism. without giving
reason or a fact to justify such POSITION
They would not dare to defend the record
the Bourbons had made in its ten years OF
ruinous rule in Virginia. They would not
dare to defend the record the Democratic
party had made in Congress on national
questions, but endeavored to draw attention
away from questions OF great public inter-
est, both State and national, by the use OF the
most disgusting and contemplate epithets.
The Chronicle cannot point to single
question, relating to State or National ad-
minstration, that its party took either an
affirmative or a negative position on.-
There was Predetermined omission of
allusion to all administrative issues that
would be likely to engage the attention
of Congress or the Legislature. A can
idate for Congressman-at-large was
accepted and supported who had been
more bitterly denounced, slandered and
villified by the Democratic press and speak
ers than any man ever had been in the po-
litical history of the State, except. proba-
bly,, Gen. Malone. Legislation on the debt
question, the cap tation tax restriction and
the whipping-post, was either tacitly APP
proved or opposed, for no declaration pri-
vate or public was heard from them, ex-
cept that the debt issue had been settled,
and there was no purpose to disturb it, not
withstanding every one of these PROPOSE
tions had been bitterly opposed by this
same party before their enactment. If a
distinctive principle, or any other kind of
| principle, can be claimed for such posi-
ton, we are incapable of perceiving it.
The Chronicle attempts to justify its
charge of 'profigacy" against the Liberals.
because the movement was supported by
the administration, and states that it was
the result of corrupt bargain, wherein there
was no redeeming feature. This is mere
persiflage, for it IS well known that the
Liberals were and are committed to the
protective policy, to the maintenance Of the
national banking system, and to the recog-
milton of the popular will in elections
whether in the North or Sonth, and the
exposure of fraud wherever committed
The admin istratiOn was and is also CON-
mitted against these things; and both the
| Liberals and the administration are COM
mitted to a broad national. policy, the ces-
sation Of sectional strife and contention
and the cultivation of a catholic sentiment
between the people of the whole country.
These declared views on the part Of the
Liberals were enough to justify the admin
istration in giving its support to the Liber-
al movement, and using all legitimate
means to assure its success. 1t was openly
and everywhere declared by every Liberal
candidate for Congress that he would sup
port the ministratIon if elected, and for
the administration to have been Indifferent
or neutral would have argued distrust of its
own administrative policy, and virtually
announced neutral attitude between its
avowed friends and pronounced enemies
How even inconsistency, much less. ''profli-
gacy," could be charged because of this,
requires more refining and abstruse intel
tecu than we possess TO discern.
Our contemporary attempted to justify its
support of Mr.. Massey, who has entertained
no thought and advocated no measure in
common with the Bourbon party for six
years past, because it assumed that "Mas-
sey is for us''-that he is pledged to the
maintenance of the doctrine and policy of
the Democratic party in national politics. Z"
| What Democratic doctrine and policy in
national pol ics' is unless it be to oppose
every Statutory measure that has con tributed
to the prosperity of the country, we do not
understand. 1t opposed the resumption of
specie payments, and favored the policy of
greenbacks; it opposed the policy of pro-
lection and favored that of revenue only"
In the six years it held the majority in Con-
gress it never originated measure, or sup.
ported policy whose practical opera ton
would not have been disastrous to public
interests. 1t was left for the Republicans
in the last two years of their control of the
lower house of Congress, to originate and
pass an apportionment bill constitution
al anti Chinese bill an anti-polygamy bill,
which was opposed by the Democrats; a
tariff commission bill, by which the irregu-
larities of the tariff laws might be mo lifted
and harmonious system adopted; a law ex-
tending the charter of the expiring national
banks. These had been supplemented by
brave and statesmanlike legislation of the
Republican party to equalizc the money or
tie country, establish its credit and protect
the rights and interests OF the creditors. But
for the opposition of the Democratic party
the present Congress would have reduced
the internal revenue tax at least $40 ,000,-
900 annually. Rather than the Republicans
should have the credit of this the Democrats
filibustered to continue the unnecessary
tax-burden upon the people, for the sole
purpose of making the charge that Be-
publicans failed to reduce the taxes when
they had the majority in Congress.
If our contemporary can point out any
national policy or measure of Democratic
origin and support. which would contribute
to the welfare Of the country, we would be
pleased to see it. The party it is identified
with, in the six years of its power, in the
House of Representatives., failed to make
| T