The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-07-12
Coalition Justified by Results.

Coalition Justified by Results.
The Spectator of this week seems to be
much concerned about the statement of
the VIRGINIAN that the Readjusters were
pledged in the campaign Of 1881 to the
measures and policy of the Republicans.
The removal of the capitation tax restric-
ton on the ballot, the repeal Of the whip
ping-post law and the protection of the
public school fund from systematic rob
berry and the system from ruin, were para
mount and vital interests for which the
Republicans declared. The Readjusters
did the same. These reforms have all been
effected in opposition to the best efforts OF
the Bourbons, and through the votes OF
Republicans and Readjusters. Having
been accomplished, does the Spectator IA
vor opposition to what has been done ?
| Does it favor disturbance OF the Riddle
Der settlement OF the debt question Ii
| it does not, what grounds has it to COM
plain of the coalition and the results which
| have been effected by it? Not only will
not the Spectator advocate the restoration
of the capitation tax restriction on the
| ballot. the re-establishment of the whip
ping post, the ruinous policy OF the Bour-
bons as to the public schools OF the repeal
of the Riddleberger bill, but the Conven-
ton of it's party which meets in Lynch
burg on the 25th, will be as dumb as an
oyster on these subjects. 1t will declare
against nothing affecting State measures
and policy that the Republicans and Read
| busters have enacted into law. 1t will not
dare to propose to disturb any enactment
which the Coalition has consummated
representatives. 1t is a matter OF very
little Importance to the people under what
name public good is obtained. 1t is
the result that the people want. and if
good results can better be obtained by the
cooperation of those who recognize differ
ent political nomenclatures, than by acting
separately, where is there just cause for
censure 1t was only by the coalition of
Republicans and Readjusters that the dis
astrous policy and legislation of the Bour-
bons could be changed. United they were
successful /; divided they would have
been defeated, and none of the benefcent
reforms which are assuring blessings to
the people would have been effected.
| The men who have been instrumental
in bringing about the changes that have
been accomplishment have endured
| tho pool;nnont clan6arc opd vitunaratiop of
the Bourbon press and speakers, cannot be
| frightened by name unless it be that of
the Bourbons. Whether called Readjuster,
Coalition or Republican. the results are
what were desired These having been
accomplished in spite of Bourbon opposi-
ton, those who were parties to the con-
| test, will not be very apt to return to the
embrace of BOurboniSm OF be guilty of di-
rectly OF indirectly aiding the faction
against whose votes and efforts they have
been contending. AS between Bourbons
and Republicans we do not think there is
a Readjuster in the State who is not pre-
pared to make a prompt decision in favor
of the latter name, were it necessary that
such decision should be made. There is
nothing in the term Republican that is
so offensive to sensible men that it would
not be accepted in preference to that
of Bourbon, which represents all that
is harmful in State and National legisla-
| ton.
| 1t required more of courage than sagac-
ity for the Readjusters to adopt these meas
ures and devote their efforts to their legal
and practical enforcement. There are
very few fair-minded Bourbons who will
not admit that the legislation which has
been enacted by the Coalition has been for
the public good, yet they lack the courage
to publicly identify themselves with the
political force that has been instrumental
ing organs protesting against a public de-
claration of purpose to disturb it. The
debt question, they say, is settled, and
must not be again opened for discussion.
The ballot has been made free and it must
not be again encountered with an uncon-
Stitutional restriction. The whipping
post law has been repealed. and must not
be re-enacted. The Public Schools must
be kept up to their present standard, and
/ improved as fast us it is possible to do so,
| and all unfriendly environments discorr-
aged. 1t is thus that the Coalition is
practically approved and endorsed even by
the Bourbons, without the courage to come
out boldly and announce that the State has
been benefited by the united forces of Re-
publicanS and Readjusters, acting in OPP
position to the BOurbonS and antagOniZing
their policy at every step. If Readiusters
have had the nerve to come out from the
upon common platform to accomplish
common good for the people, where is the
crime? and where would be the cOnsis-
tency, the manhood OF the decency. in
| returning to their vomit Having found
| it necessary to cut loose from the Bourbon
| organization and unite with Republicans
in order to encompass a public good, would
there be any reason OF justice in their
sneaking back into the Bourbon fold, to
make common cause with Il faction that
has denounced. villiied and traduced
them, because of their enforcement from
its reactionary and ruinous policy
Not only in State matters is the diver
gence mentioned for the common good
justified by every consideration of public
policy, but in national matters the same
condition Of things exists. The Readjus-
ters make common cause with the Repub-
| licans in support of the Protective Tariff
policy, as an essential means to the devel-
| opment Of the resources of the State and to
contribute to the prosperity of the people,
while the Bourbons are committed against
this enlightened policy. The Readjusters
believe with the Republicans that Vir-
ginia s true interest will be promoted by
national fraternity and manly and unre-
served support of the laws and Constitution
OF the country in their proper and legiti-
mate meaning, and by upholding the gov
eminent in all legal agencies for the con-
summation of these ends.
These are the objects in State and Ma
tional affairs that the coalition contend for
and the evidence they present to justify
their course. 1t is not essential that they
should go by the name of either Readjus-
fer or Ranuhlican nor is If naoacoo,.,, +bo+