The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-11-22

ally secured before the verdict OF the ballot
box. 1t is a startling assumption to COM
munities where each precinct is contested,
In ordinary times, and each citizen is al
lowed to deposit his ballot as freeman,
uninfuenced by threats and unawed by
any of the agencies which are invoked
for the securement of solid South.
What do the people of Virgnia-the
farmers, mechanics and business men OF
the State-who are interested in the de-
velopment of material resources-in the es-
tablishment of industries-the creation OF
new values-the enlarge ment of trade
as the result of the policy of the govern
ment, operating upon the whole country
expect to gain by the solid South p? They
allow themselves to be led away .from the
safe line of duty, by the appeals OF trading
politicians and inhammatory demagogues
mere political adventures, who care for
nothing but self, and to contribute to a
condition of things which cannot be but
detrimental to their every interest and
operate against all the healthy relations OF
the State. If they would but stop to
think-to weigh the motives and aims OF
the schemers and plotters-the leaders and
bosses machinery which they employ
to compromise manhood-they would re-
Duke them at the ballOt-boX. and give
their influence and votes toperpetuate the
policy which has done so much for the
whole country.
They ought to understand that the
North and West will never consent-hav-
ing the popular strength to prevent ito
allow solid sectional South to control
the policy of the government. Not be-
cause it is the South, or because OF the
Southern people, but from business consid-
erations--the record the Democratic par
ty has made on administrative measures,
affecting the material relations of the
whole country. The capital, the indus
tries, the forces which move and direct
commerce and trade--which lie at the
base of our national growth and prosper
| ity, will be arrayed against a partizan
South, controlled by considerations and
|
mate business pursuits and could not pos
sibly form any part of the economic az
engagements of government, or contribute
to the public good. Were it that the
South suffered from the operation of the
policies which are accepted by the intelli-
gence of the country, in the administra-
ton of government, rs wise and beneficial,
there might be some excuse Or reason for
the South banding together to change
those policies. But the South is equally
benefited with the North and West, and
no sound reason can be addressed to the
popular judgment to justify IL change
The South appears solid force rejecting
race prejudices and sectional feeling, and
not from considerations relating to bust
ness interests, having application to all
portions of the Union and conSpiring to
the good of all. Convictions us to gov
ernmental policy are stlled and subordi-
mated in the presence of partiZan, sec
tiOnal ambitions. Influences foreign to
national prosperity foreign to the material
welfare of the North and South alike,
must necessarily govern and control in So
lidifying the South as a political factor.
And so long as the South is solid for the
Democratic party, regardless of the re-
cord of that party Oh great and paramount
public questions regardless of measures,
principles and policy, duplicating the
well-being of every portion of the coun-
try, it is reasonable and logical to conclude
that the North will be solid to resist and
counteract such haneful and dangerous in
fluences.
Thinking men of the South ought to be
able to see this, and how utterly inexcusa-
BILE and indefensible and how manifestly
harmful to the South itself, must be a
solid South-brought about by the agen-
cies relied on and from the motives which
would govern in securing it. The Amer
lean people are not prepared to risk a bus
4 mess rounleiesa-that would DO more vida
spread in it's disasters than civil war it
self, in order to try the experiment of the
solid Democratic South controlling the
government, governed by no principle and
asserting no administrative policy. They
are not ready to admit that the policy
which brought the country out of finan-
cial chaos, established its credit, elevated
it's character, stimulated industries and
showered blessings ON all the people, is a
failure, and that the craftsmanship and
patriotism of the nation must now appeal
to solid Democratic South to steer the
ship of State into harbor of safety
Democratic stupidity may tiatter itself,
because it succeeded in arresting liberal
movement in the South by the agency OF
passion, and thus has promise of a solid
South. that the country is ready to accept
it's guardianship, but it will be awakened
from it's delusive dream when the time
comes for the business interests of the ma
tion to speak through the ballot, and pro-
claim the Republican truth that, under
our form of government. the ballot is
the legitimate arbter between parties and
, policies.
The Findicator, now that the niger
cry has done its work, announces that the
old BOurbons must take back seats and the
"neW" Democracy come to the front. AT