The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-10-04
A Brief Review.

No party has ever yet so thoroughly
indicated it's claims to the confidence of
the people as the Republican party has
done. Springing into existence from the
necessities of the times and the demands
of human liberty, it's history is marked by
achievements which singularly illustrate
the ideas and motives which give it
prominence and place it above all other
political organizations which have existed
in this country. The repeal of the Mis-
souri, compromise measure brought square
ly before the American people the question
whether slavery should further spread its
blight over the territory of the Nation.
The skirmish conflict redeemed the soil of
Kansas with human blood, and resulted in
triumph for freedom. That was the
preliminary contest to the more sangui-
nary and comprehensive issue that mar.
shalled the forces of freedom and slavery
in 1861, and after the most deadly con-
flict ever recorded, was determined in "a
vor of National authority, in preserved
Union, and the emancipation of all the
people from the bondage of slavery. The
close of that memorable conflict, left a
burden upon the people that would have
staggered, if not crushed almost any other
! Nation on the earth. A debt of 1854
6i9,626 confronted the government. One.
half of the Territory Of the States had
been desolated. The industrial, political
and social systems of the Southern section
had been uprooted and shattered. A CON
dition of chaos prevailed. The fierce an
tagonisms engendered by war were mani
| Tested in and dominated all the influences
which enter into social and political rela,
tions. The maddened passions of the
field Of carnage were intensified by the re-
suits which followed. The sections were
arrayed against each other with bitter.
ness and sullen hatred that seemed unap
peasable.
These conditions had to be grasped and
mastered. 1t was a most momentOus I'M
dertaking, from which the wisest states
manship instinctively shrank. But the collr-
age came equal to the occasion. The finan-
cial problem was solved. The credit OF
the nation was preserved, and now stands
in the front of the powers of the world. In
eighteen years the debt was reduced to less
than 81 500, 900 with every dollar in cir.
culation equal to one hundred cents. The
laws OF the country, enacted to meet the
emergencies growing out of the war, are
recognized and enforced throughout the
Union. The capital of the North is seek
ing employment in the South vast rail
road combinations are forging the CONNER
cial ties that will make the peoples of the
sections one, and cultiyating a commu.
nifty of interests and reciprocity of feel
| ing and sentiment that in few years will
sponge out all the harsh reInembrances OF
| the past.
These marvellous consummations seem
almost incredible, The brief time in
which they have been accomplished, the
huge difficulties which stood in the way
and the wonderful success which is as.
sured, read more like romance than re.
cord of facts.
They stand out in vindication of the
craftsmanship and patriotism of the Re.
publican party. The Democratic party
opposed each and every act that brought
about these propitious results. 1t was ar
rayed against the financial system which
has given to the country it's unsurpassed
if not unequalled credit it's admirable
currency, with it's adaptability to all the
needs of the people and the wants of trade
1t opposed every measure designed to meet
the demands of the new conditions in
the South and INSTRUCTED every step to
the adjustment of those conditions to the
spirit and intent Of the laws which had
been enacted to subserve the ends of jus.
tice and protect the rights of the citi
Zens.
Let the people calmly reflect ON the facts
we have briefly stated. We might enlarge
almost indefinitely upon them. But every
intelligent man, who will divorce himself
from partizan prejudices. and deliberately
take in review the past twenty years, can
not fail to reach the conclusion that the
Republican party has been blessing to the
country, and the Democratic Party a posi-
! tive curse.