The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-06-04
Conscience in Politics.

the election of Mr.. Cleveland to be Gov
ernor of New York A forged telegram |
by which vote was controlled that deter
mined the result of a Republican State
Convention in the nomination OF candl-
date for Governor, caused q popular re-
vulsion without its parallel in the history
of this country. The gentleman noml-
mated was regarded, and justly so, one OF
the purest, ablest and most upright OF the
public men of the Empire State. Upon
him personally not IA breath of suspicion
rested. The long services of Judge Fol-
ger on the bench had furnished record OF
which any party or man might feel proud.
But the fact that one man had resortedtoa
corrupt method Of securing his nomlna-
ton SO shocked the moral sentiment OF the
constituent body, that over two hundred
Thousand of the Republican voters re-
manned from the polls or voted for his po-
litical opponent Grover Cleveland. and
secured his election by a monumental ma
jority.
This was not so much an expression OF
confidence either III Mr.. Cleveland OF the
Democratic party, as it was intended for a
rebuke to the methods which had deter
mined the result of the Republican Con-
vention. The courage was shown to break
through the restraints Of party organiZa-
ton and to deal heroically with q moral
condition, which, if tolerated, would for
ever have stained the party, let the conse-
quences be what they might. 1t esti-
mated to be better to suffer the chagrin
and humiliation of overwhelming defeat,
than by even implication sanction pal
pable fraud in the inception OF the can
Yass. The effects of defeat could in time
be recovered from, but the stigma OF
| fraud. if countenanced, could never be
atoned for, during generation, at least.
Alternative, but it was chosen. and mani
| tested with an earnestness that had its eff
| fleet all over the country.
There was an important lesson incul-
Gated in this action of the Republicans OF
| New York. 1t is true, it resulted, even
tually in the election of Democrat to the
Presidency, yetat the same time it i'm
pressed the fact upon the public that the
Republican party valued the integrity OF
it's organization as higher than office and
more precious than the Establishments and
attractions of power. 1t dared to dc
right and accepted the consequences com
placently and sternly.
1t is a lesson that Mr.. Cleveland, i'll the
} high position he has been placed, by rea
son of the conscience of the Republicans
Of New Y ork, ought not to forget. Parti
IAN influence may press upon him, breath
ing threatening and vengeance, if ht
should dare to reject its demands anf
stand firm to the principle reflected in his
election as Governor of his State. but the
conscience Of the country would sustain
him, and in the end he would have the
satisfaction of having quietly and effec
lively rebuked the fell spirit of partizan
ism. that has made such inroads upon thu
morale of Republican institutions land per
manently establisha precedent whose afte
observance would work incalculable bene
fit to the country and vindicate our popu
lar system of government.
Not only might the lesson of the New
) York election prove sautary to nationa
; administration, but it has its application
in all the lesser political conflicts of TIT
States. 1t can be taken to account in oul
own Commonwealth. We have had recon
experience of the absence of conscience il
the political methods and legal enact
ments of the Legislature OF Viginla.-
These cannot, and will not be defended b.
even those who were implicated in them
from any higher consideration than part.
necessities. The name and fame of TIT
: Commonwealth have been made subordi
nate to the pernicious inyentionsan wick
ed designs of spoilsmen and place hunters
and the nober ends of patriotism and TIT
public welfare neglected in the mad crusade
{ for party power. A returning sense OF Jus
, tice. conscious realization of the mora
5 strabismus which has tolerated this disre
> gard of all ethical restraints, will, at some
| time OF another i'll the future cause re
| vulsion The people can be trusted to d.
right in the long run, and vindicate theil
own inherent honesty when brought face
to face with the question whether it is bet
ter to do right than wrong.
, The principle to which we are referring
has its.application, too, in the nominations
which the several conventions soon tG
meet will make. They must measure VI
to high ideal of public duty. 1t vii
not do to select men alone as reward fol
assumed party services. Not unfrequently
those who are the most active in their tin
Grant services and most incessant in theil
mouthings, do the least real good for the
cause they speak for. Concern must be had
for the men to be chosen, in that they must
represent not only the morale OF parties
but reflect the conservatism, the integrity
the conscience of the Commonwealth. A
campaign of epithet and utilization. is
Just what the people will not tolerate
They have had surfeit of this, and WE
do not think there is anything more Ger
tain in the politics of Virginia than that
no mere partizan, gifted in speech and
reckless in it's use. will be invited t.
the Chief Magistracy of the Common
wealth.
It will be well enough for managers an(
ring leaders to consider this line OF thought
and profit by it, whether of one party Of
the other.
Peace Assured.
There now seems to be no doubt OF the
pacific termination Of the European troub
l I'm, a,,1 how orr