The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-01-22
A Family Fued.

UCuldtc IL Wlbil oOlu6 plOSlcoolfC iuCeeo' Ii
doing so, it has been compelled to step
clean outside Of Democratic record and
traditions and in substance accept the
views, measures and policies of the Re-
publican party. 1t arraigns Mr.. Tucker
because of the free trade tendencies OF his
position on the tariff question. apparently
forgetful that it's party record on the Nor
rison bill sustains the representative from
this District 1t arraigns him for his OPP
position to the Blair Educational bill, I'M
mindful of the fact that the National
Democratic Convention resolved against
all such national legislation as that bill
implies, and the Democratic Congress has
doggedly and persistently refused to pass
the measure which Republican Senate
had sent to it. In advancing these views
and maintaining these positions against
the record of Mr.. Tucker and the Demo
cratic party. our contemporary escapes ac-
cepting the Republican party by alleging
that it's tendencies are GENERALIZATION in
government and sectionalism in admins
tion.'' Yet in the same paper that this
charge is made against the Republicans,
we find the Viradicdtor sustaining the Blair
bill and the Interstate Commerce bill, re-
cogn:zing the right and power of the ma
tional government to aid in the education
of the ilIiterates OF the several States and
to regulate the commerce between the
several States. Probably no two meas
ures have ever been introduced in Con-
gress, which to rs great degree. enlarged
the scope of national influence and con-
trayened the doctrine of States Rights, as
commonly understood.
The general policy of these measures we
fully endorse. The Blair Bill, in its de-
tails and object, meets our cordial appro-
val. The Interstate Commerce Bill
is Objectionable to us, not because OF the
power it comedies to Congress to legislate
in that direction, but for the reason that
its provisions would be hurtful to the gen.
eral welfare and arrest the progress OF the
country in its material development and
growth Both of these measures, hoWev-
er, are in direct conflict with Democratic
notions about constitutional limitations,
and involve policy which has evoked the
charge of centralizing in the National Gov
eminent power not warranted by the
fundamental law. In approving these
measures, the longest step towards cen
tralization in government" is endorsed
that has ever been taken by Congress in
times of peace. They are direct and
palpable departure from Democratic ira
ditions, theories and practice, and throw
our neighbor clear outside of the circle OF
Democratic constitutional hair splitting
constructions.
The Republican party believes that there
Is power located in the National Govern
ment, by the constitution, to care for the
general welfare. 1t believes that this
power implies judicious legislation for
popular education, as the groundwork for
the perpetuity of Republican institutions
and Republican form of government. 1t
believes that it implies the duty to protect
the people by judicious legislation from
exhorbitant and hurtful corporate exactions
1t believes that this is Nation-that the
National Government is supreme, and that
within the scope of its powers are con-
tanned all needful functions and legisla-
tion to conserve the welfare, promote the
happiness, protect the rights and defend
the liberties of the people. 1t believes
that Congress has the power to enact and
enforce laws which will place every citizen
on legal equality with every other citi-
zen, and that no State has the right, either
directly or indirectly, to abridge or deny
that which the supreme law OF the land
guarantees.
This is the extent of the Capitalization
in government" the Republicans favor
Our neighhor goes as far as we do, in this
directions i'm the recognition which it gives
to the Blair and Interstate Commerce
bills, for they comprehend all the power
we claim for the National Legislature.
We are aware that our contemporary has
no idea of getting from under Democratic
CICiOCl, CO ldl do ClIC HdlAO 10 OOiCSAiiSas
1t is simply a domestic explosion and
tearing up of things for purpose. 1t is to
throw off the fossils and excrescences, and
under new auspices and new inspirations,
attempt to save the household from general
ruin. 1t was the sagaeity and prescience
Of the Tiadicdtor which led the way to
the startling flop of the Democratic party
in 1888, when at the Lynchburg Conyen-
ton it arbitrarily appropriated the tro-
phies of Readjuster legislation and claimed
them as its own. After denouncing
Readjuster legislation on the debt ques-
ton as highway robbery - stigmatizing
posing every measure of their suggestion
and enactment relating to the coupons, the
public free schools, and free ballot and
fair count, " the Democratic party in Con-
tion never before paralleled in the history
of politics, openly resolved that all these
things it had VIGOROUSLY and wantonly de-
nounced were right and proper, and prop
erly belonged to that elect organization
With this as its platform, and the means
it employed, it went before the people and
won, Notwithstanding its known record in
opposition to every proposition it then ap-
proved.
The Viadicdtor is not forgetful of this
recent bit Of history, nor is it unmindful
of the fact that it was then considered
disturber of the peace Of the faithful
1t deems that similar departure is neces-
sary for the approaching State campaign.
1t knows that unless the Democratic Con-
vention accepts the policy of protection as
to tariff and the Blair bill, as embodying
wise and needful legislation. its party is
doomed to defeat. 1t proposes to throw
records and consistency and traditions to
the dogs, and boldly fitch Republican
ideas and Republican policy in the hope of
again achieving success.
The people, however; are not asleep
They are cognizant of the awful botch the
Democratic Legislature has perpetrated in
tinkering with the Riddleberger bill settle
ment, which they did not understand, or
could not comprehend. They know that
the debt settlement, as secured by that
measure has all been unSettled-that in