The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-09-27
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The Right SPIRIT.

1.-THE battle in Virginia this fall is not
between the white man and the black
man. God forbid that it should ever be.
1t is fight for good government in which
the blacklist Virginian is as much inter-
ested as the whitest. That man who would
incite feelings of hostility between races
at a time like this of supreme peril to the
Commonwealth, is public enemy, and
should be dealt with as SUCH"
This is the language of the Petersburg
Inder-Appeal. We endorse and accept it
as our platform. While we may differ
with our respected and able contemporary
as to where the supreme peril'' comes in,
the sentiment is that which should pervade
both parties. A fair discussionof thepolicies
of the twoparties and of the results of their
respective administrations, is legitimate
and right, and if it can be shown that the
one is more entitled to the confidence of the
people than the other by means of that
policy and those results, then it should be
endorsed at the ballot box and commanded
into power.
1t is hardly necessary to repeat that the
enactments and policy of the Coalition
party have been substantially endorsed and
accepted by the Democratic party through
its authorized representative body, the
Lynchburg Convention. To that degree
it has condemned the policy which dis
tinguished it's own administration from
1870 to 1877 This acceptance and endorse
ment comprehend the settlement of the
debt question, the repeal of the dollar
price on the ballot, the repeal of the whip
ping post law, and the re-establishment
and nourishment of the public schools of the
State. Whether OF not exceptions may be
taken to this endorsement and acceptance
by Individual members of the party. they
are bound by the action of their representa-
tive body by reason Of party law.
We propose in the Legislature that is to
be elected in November next, if the Co.
alition should be successful. to re-apportion
the State, SO as to make the Congressional
districts more compact, and correct the in
equality and wrong in this respect, in
flicted by the present apportionment.
We propose to legislate SO as to guard
the debt settlement, accepted by both par
ties, against any possibility Of invasion,
and to see that it is a settlement, final and
complete.
We propose to modify the methods OF
judicial sales under DEGREES of courts, so
as to protect the interests of debtors and
creditors, make speedy adjustments OF
such estates, and guard the fund arising
from such sales, so that there can be no
default, either in the prompt collection or
distribution of such funds.
We propose to so modify the chancery
practice of the State, so that the costs of
litigation may be greatly reduced-the in
terests of parties in litigation speedily as
certained and that which is due to every
one, promptly ascertained and paid over.
These are matters which come home
directly to the people. Any wrongs that have
arisen from them or may yet arise under
existing laws, are and will be the results of
the law, and no class or party can be justly
chargeable with them. They are nom
partizan in their character and scope, and
should be dealt with as such. But we all
know that they have been great source Of
annoyance, loss and oppression to the peo-
pie, and have operated to the hurt of the
Commonwealth. Norman or party, which
seeks to promote the public veal and Sc
cure to the constituent body good gov
ernment,'' can consistently oppose the
notifications suggested. III .5
We propose to so legislate as to protect
the people against any unjust and un-
equal exactions of corporations, and to see
to it that the source of all power in the
State the people-are not wronged and OPP
pressed by the instruments of their Gre
alton. We want just laws passed, in re-
lation to this matter, both to the corpora
lions and the people, and no unfriendly
legislation, either for the benefit of any
political interest or against vested rights.
1t seems to us that every man, woman
and child in the State-whether white OF
black should sympathize with such legis-
lation, and the people of the entire
State cast their ballots to secure the en-
actment of such laws, as will contribute
to the relief so plainly and impera-
lively demanded. These questions may
be discussed dispassionately, and can
be, if the text quoted from our Petersburg
contemporary is recognized and accepted as
the line of policy that should be adopted
in the progress of the campaign. 1t is
time that the negro bugaboo were being
eliminated from our political contests. Ger
tainly the Democrats have gained nothing
by it's prominence in the past, and they will
gain nothing in the future, but disaster.
The negro is citizen of the State, by
reason of the Constitution and laws of the
country. Let the rights which pertain to
that high distinction be enjoyed unawed.
Let the negro alone, and as rational men,
and citizens devoted to the Commonwealth
and ambitious for her good, enter upon the
discussion of practical questions affecting
public interests. calmly, dispassionately
and periodically. When this spirit shall
prevail, the people will be moved by high
considerations of public policy and cast
their votes in the interests of good gov
eminent, and not from blind race pref
udice, that can breed nothing else than
harm.