The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-04-23

rule and party nomenclature madeline shib-
toleth of manhood rights and social recog-
milton. Conventions may resolve and re-fe-
solve in favor OF immigration and lmmlgfa-
tion societies may be instituted for the pnr-
pose of publishing the natural advantages
of the State, but they will avail nothing n-
til the fact is recognized that every citizen
of the Commonwealth has the right to has
opinion. and that It's exercise should forfeit
none of the immunities which appertaln
TO citizenship. Freemen, feeling the IN
spiration of freedom, approaching the
beneficence and wisdom of our instltn-
tions and the dignity of A"erican citizen
shin. will hesitate before they will expose
themselves to the bitter and prejudleed
feelings, which manifest themselves IN
every political contest III Virginia. simply
because men of equal natural rights and
eonal interests in the Commonwealth. are
prescribed and denounced for giving eN
preston to their conscientious beliefs and
resort only to legitimate methods and IA
tional agencies to give them effect IN adj
miniStratlon.
We must reach to higher plane, be in
spired bv nobler ambitions and cultivate a
| more catholic and tolerant spirit, II we
would attract the attention and win the
regard and confidence of the outside world.
| Until this is done, We may resolve and ap
neal from now until doomsday. through all
the forms of public utterance, without
winning the sympathy or commanding the
! confidence of others, for no people Will
] elect to enter social and business relations
1 where the first principle OF free lnstitu-
lions is not practically recognized and all
the citizens left at liberty TO give expires
sion to their political opinions. without lei
or hindrance and worship under their own
vine and fig tree, with none to modest OF
make them afraid.
The evil effects Of this spirit OF ihtoler
ance and the reckless use of eplthet anC
language towards their political opponent!
by the Democrats, was illustrated III The
liberty taken before the Supreme Court b.
lawyers who received their impression:
from the Democratic speakers and papers
of Virginia The whole people OF TN
State were stigmatised as "rogues ant
swindlers.' for the Democrats had Ell
dorsed and accepted what they had dc
nounced as Highway robbery, in RELATION
to the public debt And when they wer'
thus arraigned, as the result OF their owl
teaching, they could not say a word II
other respects the same influence IS sen
ont. all to the damage Of the State AM
lasting injury to her progress ana prosper
ity. 1t is this which arrests immigration
and will do SO for all time to come. no
the sake of few local offices and iittl
: local prominence IL whole PARTY. compns
ing many of its most industrious and Ell
terprising citizens. true to the Common
wealth at all times and under all clrcum
stances as they understand their duty,
denounced rs band of traitors to the Ian
of their birth and unfit to be recognized 0
in any way entitled to confidence. 1t
lust here where the difficulty lies and S
long as this despicable spirit is permitte
to influence political action, so long wi
Virginia be stunned and her rich an
inviting fields for enterprise be left just
= they are.