The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-05-11
The Safe Policy.

JCa' Gu III tLCSC COluillIlS Two WSGhS dSO.udSc
it fair to take from their context and
proper connection, particular sentences, to
impress the belief that the VIRGINIAN has
turned another political somersault." We
are so much accustomed to this kind OF in
Justice, that we rarely notice it, for it fire.
quently results from want OF comprehen-
sion on the part of those who pretend they
have discovered something, and with 9th
ers. it is the result of a premeditated pur-
pose to misinterpret and misrepresent the
purport of the articles from which they
quote. In either case it is Improbable to
consume time and space in discussing such
matters. We prefer to leave the public to
Judge for themselves of our political con-
sistency, satisfied in our mind that whatev-
er may be the means the necessities OF the
political situation may suggest to accom-
plish certain objects, that we aim at well
defined and positive ends. These have con-
trolled our discussions, and to them we
have been faithful and true. Whether we
have contributed anything to their secure
ment or not. we know that much we have
contended for has been effected. The po-
litical complications and the arrangement
of old party methods in Virginia have ne
cessitated sometimes a change OF policy
and an appeal to influences, which in nor
NAL condition of party relations. might not
be justifiable or defensble. We have been
contending for results, and to these have
been subordinated the means for their ac-
complishment. We have had to deal with
willy, INSCRIPTIONS and vindictive foe, ca
pabie of resorting to any device, any spe-
cious appeals, to retain its power. 1t had
to be met with the same kind OF strategy 1t
employed-its receptions, exposed, its false
.pretenses uncovered, so that the people
might understand and appreciate the kind
of honor which inspired its action. We
have been consistent in our efforts to meet
and counterfeit it at every turn, and in mar
shalling all the elements of opposition into
solid column, when the test at the ballot
box came. To surface appearance this has
involved inconsistency, but to those who
look deeper, there has been nothing OF the
kind. The measures we believed justice
and right demanded should be enacted, have
been consummated. The very power which
imposed the wrongs complained of has, in
part. been instrumental in undoing them,
and what Republicans could not have ac-
complished by themselves, has been ef-
fected through the assistance OF those who
were parties to the inflict ions which called
for sacrifices and endeavor to remove.
If our alleged inconsistencies in the past
have lead to precisely the results we aimed
at, it will not be safe for our contemporaries
to rely for the future upon the discrepancies
they may think they have discovered. They
may rest assured that We will do all in ouI
power to prevent the reversal of the verdict
that has been rendered, for it is to make that
more secure that we have deemed it proper
to point out defects and utter warnings. 1t is
delusion, however, to assume that the Re-
publcans of Virginia are not alive to every
| pha-e of the political situation. 1t would
| be worse than delusion to conclude that
they can be seduced into any organization
that would divorce them from the nat ional
principles, the record and the name with
which they claim identity. Having massed
their forces to give power to an element
which was once of the Conservative party,
they Will expect from it wise and Just
| consideration of the source of that author
| ity, but at the same time they will admit OF
no compromise of their party relations
and associations, as it affects the Nat ional
Republican party. If it becomes apparent
that this relation cannot be maintained 9TH
erwise, they will at once re-organize their
forces, publish to the world that they are
Republicans, in full accord with the ma.
tional organization, and mean to maintain
its integrity and their own consistency
This is the feeling and the purpose OF the
great mass of the Republicans OF Virginia ia.
Here and there may be found those who
have been known as Republicans who may
be willing to surrender their old party asso-
| citation for a consideration. But the rank
and file, who have been tried as with fire,
will stand steadfast, and resist all blandish-
ments to separate them in name and in
deed from the party which has achieved so
much for the country, and which is asso-
ciated with the grandest trophies that ever:a
nation boosted.
The simple declaration coming from the
leaders of the dominant party in Virginia,
that they intend to support the present ma
tional administration does very well as far
as it goes. They couple it with the state
ment that they will do so as long as
the administration supports them. That
is, it is an exchange of favors, the political
sympathy to cease so soon as there are no
more offices to give. There is a good deal
of human nature in this, but not great
amount of political orthodoxy and lasting
conviction, as it affects principle. A similar
declaration was made in 1880, as to Gen.
Grant. Republican sentiment in Virginia
was almost unan imous for his nomination
at Chicago. and it was to profit by this pub
lie sentiment that this announcement was
made. Gen. Grant not having received the
nom nation, the same voices sounded out
the praises of Hancock. the Democratic NOM
inee, in the election that fall, sustaining
him at the polls, showing that circumstances
alter cases, and very materially modify
party relations. We, however, will support
any proper candidate for Congress, whether
he be Republican or Readjaster Demo-
crat, who announces that he will support
the administration of Pres Arthur,
in preference to a Bourbon, but will not
surrender our party name or association to
do so. Supporting the administration now,
and under the circumstances surrounding,
is not pledge that the nominee OF the Re-
publican Nat ional Convention in 1884 will
receive like support, nor that Delegates
to that Convention will be appointed
pledged to abide by its action. The same
reservation may exist which was observedin
1880 in the primary declaration for Gen.
Grant. Upon this thiss point there can no
doubts or contingencies with Republic leans.
They W ill demand to be represented in the
next Republican National Convention
through regularly appointed Republican
delegates, who will pledge themselves
to support the nominees whoever they may
be. They will appoint pronounced Repub-
lican Electors nle0ped to vote for the Re-