The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-01-17
sour Civilization. !"

Of it seem to be a riddle to the Demo-
cratic press Of Virginia. The election of
Mr.. Carlisle, a known free trader in the
org, Speaker of the House of Representa-
tives, over Mr.. Randall, pronoun-
ced protectiunist, has occasioned much
confusion and expression of conflict
ing opinions. The two metropolitan
Democratic journals are as wide apart
in their views as are Messrs. Car
isle ands Randall-the Dispatch holding to
Mr.. Randall's views and the State sympa-
thizing with Mr.. Carlisle. The rural
press is feeble reflection of the antago-
nisms at Richmond. But nowhere in the
State do we notice evidence of deep con-
viction on this or any other question, af-
fecting legislation. The one absorbing,
commanding consideration with the Bour-
bon Democracy is spoils. Everything will
be suhordinated to the acquisition of power.
And hence we find appeals and implora-
tions, in affecting and pathetic terms, to
forego a discussion of the tariff issue or
any other, that might show little vigor-
Gus. independent thought. And this be-
cause, as is assumed, ''our civilization is
inyolvedn, which means that the Bour-
bons do not intend to go before the people
upon any legitimate question of admins
trative policy. either National or State,
hut will endeavor to thrust the race issue
into the face of the people. and by inflam-
ing passion and aggrayating prejudice.
seek to hold the power in Virginia which
they acquired by deception and misrepre-
sentation. The simple statement of their
position by themselves the tariffques-
tion must not be discussed but severely ig-
nored, is an admission that they dare not
address the intelligence of the State and
appeal to. its arbitrament on any ques-
ton affecting government, german to the
approaching campaign. We are notified
by unmistakable implications that the race
issue is to be made supreme, and the re.
suit in this State in November next is tc
hinge on the tension to which the pas
sions and hates of the voters can be
aroused.
We misjudge the popular intelligence
and temper if this wicked clamor can be
successfully repeated in Virginia. The
rejecting portion of the Democracy is
heartily ashamed Of the record the party
has made within the last decade, and more
especially the past twelve months. There
is not position it has assumed, or legis.
latiye act it has enacted into law that it
has not repudiated. There is not a posi-.
ton that it has confronted and not leg.
islatiye act it has opposed, that was made
into law by its political opponents, that it
has not accepted. The one great, over
shadowing object has been the spoils of Of
fee, and to grasp that, it has abandoned
principle, secuted at consistency, and sys-
Dramatically proceeded to arouse and in
famed the worse passions of human nature
The result of the election in November
next, controlled by false and wicked
appeals to the prejudice Of race, would
Incite feeling that would wreck and CON
found the whole social and industrial or
ganism il persisted in.
A gentleman from Northern State, of
prominence, intelligence and wealth, by
the merest accident came to the Valley OF
Virginia eight months ago. He was so
well pleased with the appearance Of every
thing that he determined to locate in a
neighboring county, finding there prop
erty that suited his taste. he returned to
Pennsylvania, and was carrying on nego-
tiations for the estate through a friend
When he heard Of the result of the cleo
ton, and learned Of the influences which
controlled it, he instantly wrote to stop all
negotiations, as he had no idea Of spend
ing his short life in such turmoil and
strife, hates and spites, and where politi-
cal results were determined by such ap-
peals. Another gentleman invested a
large amount in an adjacent county, in
landed property. Conversing with him
not long since, and responding to a Ques-
ton as to where was his voting precinct,
he said that he was not voter in the
State. nor would he be until the people
ceased to hate each other because of polit.
ical differences. In the State he came
from, he said, there were excitements and
active work during the heat of the cam
paign, but when the election was over,
everything resumed its normal condition.
And this is the feeling and conclusion of
all others, who calmly and deliberately re-
fleet over the facts of the late Virginia
contest and the effect they must have on
the future of the State.
Ii is a matter for the great mass of the
people to determine for themselves
whether, to crafty the greed for Office of
a few political adventures, they will again
allow themselves to be drilled and forced
into such campaign as that of last fall,
with its attendant horrors and damaging
influence. Numbers of men who voted
with the Bourbons last November have
stated that they were ashamed of the
whole affair. and especially so since the
I.egis, ature has been in session and its acts
have become known. Their shame will
he increased as the session progresses and
the low partizan resorts of what ought to
be a representative body Of great State
are exposed. Why, every charge of reyo-
tionary action as to the attentions of the
Readjusters, this Legislature has proct5-
caly been guilty of. 1t. in the first place,
las endorsed all the legislation of Read
ulster enactment, which it condemned,
and gone even farther in the same direc-
ton. Next. it has substantially usurped
the functions OF the Executive Depart
ment, by exercising power obtained
through revolutionary means, to do acts
and enact laws, which could not be eff
fscted, with the three coordinate depart
ments of the government operating in
their legitimate spheres. -Four Senatorial
Districts have been practically disfran-
ehised, for the time, that partizan ends
might the better be attained. The great
county of Rockingham has been deprived
of its duly elected representatives, by
technical devices and improper suppression
Of facts. With power thus obtained, it is
proposed to rob the Executive of the pre-
negatives Of his ofice-to virtually abol-
ish the Executive Department Of Govern
fnent-to legislate out of existence by
power thus usurped legal impediments to
partizan schemes, and by destroying the
constitutional balances of government,
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