The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-07-03
NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.
Virginla and Blaine.

Virginla and Blaine.
Under the above caption the Chicago
Iater-Oceon has the following leading edi-
torial article. 1t is significant, coming
from an able paper published in a State
which was q part Of that vast North
western Territory donated to the United
States by the State of Virginia-a gift
more imperial than any recorded in time
since Jehovah set apart the Land of Ca
naan for the children of Israel. Mr.. Blaine
very properly alludes to the unselfsh and
patriotic act of Virginia in the deed of
cession and points to it rs evidence that
the United States was indebted to the Old
Dominion because of this munifcent do
nation, and thus fortiiies his suggestion in
the proposition he discusses. We publish
on our first page the chapter in question.
After reading it, our readers will be better
prepared to appreciate the article from the
Inter- Ocean, 1t reads:
The State Of Virginia has twelve cleo
toral college votes When the Bourbons
carried the State last fall it was very gen.
orally expected that they would carry it
next fall also. 1t did not seem at all
probable that the straightout Republicans
and Readjusters could be harmOniZed in
time for the Presidential campaign, and it
was supposed that the Bourbon Legislature
would devise some way to overthrow the
system of elections devised by the Read :
iusters and still in their hands. But af
fairs have taken IL much more favorable
ouli tll'ii was an,loipateu' "nu n9~ vIe
Gii''lioco .'ie Heio.Siy ~ ia''i VI
lioa,i 'ie'"i9 III 'ii"' '7s''' III No'oiiDoi
heAl: x,.:
W!Cilous hiahills . speclAiIy Vi Sngini"
politics, snV Siiieaso Con.eh .i VI = uiio
s4ceeeueu II, li'l.liiodilZine .ne iac',ono
Malione anu MS associaee neeeaees w .,1i.e
auihlIIeu' every olse Vi eneni, anu .liaU
upon no pIlicipie VI coiiipiouilse ilol iio ION
CONSIDERATIONS oi eAPeulency. II "aS uoiic
because IL WAS tiie riSiie lining 70 no. ~
the straightoutS were dlsgruntieu by tnelf
exclusion they were placated oy Inc Sicket
ltself. MI. blaine was theif irse choice.
Both Sldes were satlsiieu; AS d collse-
quence, tne unnatural ailiahce ueIween
the StralghtoutS ana the DourDonS was
dissolved. All danger OF "a comolhatioh
strong enough TO put the machinery OF the
election into Democratic hands IS now al
an end. An honest election Is insured,
and no repetition of the Danyllle massacre
is to be apprehended. There are white
men enough on the Republican side to
protect the colored voters in the peaceable
endowment of their political rights.
The people OF Virginia have special rea-
son for supporting James G.. Blaine. His
candidacy means to them more, in some
respects. than it does to the citizens OF
any other State. 1t certainly means more
than the platform. Individually, Mr.
blaine is committed TO a policy which is of
very great Importance to Virginia. We
refer to his position on the public debt of
that State, as set forth in his Twenty
Years in Congress. y chapter twenty-lirSt.
That chapter begins with a statement and
discussion of Mr.. Lincoln's border-State
poIicy. and concludes with a statement
and discussion of the Virginia debt ques-
tion. following by a natural sequence the
history of the creation of the State of West
Virginia out Of the Old Dominion. 1t was
a severe blow. of course. to the Mother of
Presidents. y and Mr.. Blaine argues that it
WAS not unsuitable as a punitive measure,
Virginia being no more culpable for the
rebe lion than any other seeding State
THE autonomy of Virginia alone was dis
turbed. Upon Virginia alone fell the pen
atty which if due to any was due to ALL"
The object was not to punish a State, but
to preserve the United States. The forma-
ton Of West Virginia was necessary, at
least helpful. to the Union cause. That
justified the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the old
State. Mr.. Blaine urges that the General
Government ought to afford relief for the
State debt to the extent that it crippled
the resources OF the State by taking from
it part OF its territory. Referring to the
prosperity OF Texas and Florida, he adds
True hearted Americans rejoice IN the
prosperity OF these States which adorn the
Southern border OF the republic put they
cannot help seeing, and seeing with regret,
how differently the ancient commonwealth