The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-04-02

terests involved in the political conten-
| tions of the State since 1877, should be
properly credited.
Much of Southern Repuhlicanism has
been built up by what is known as the CO.
hesiveness of plumber. We expect to see
a great deal of disintegration as Soon as
federal patronage shall be turned into 9th
er channels, Petersburg hnder-Appeal.
We viii not assume to speak for Repub
licans in other States, but in Virginia we
can appeal to the record to show that the
assumption of our contemporary is not cor
rect. While Republicans in this State
had to contend Hith the ''world. the flesh
and the devil, = they have steadily pro-
crossed in strength and in impressing their
convictions upon the popular mind. In
1876 they cast $4,000 votes for Hayes. In
the succeeding year they determined not
to present ticket for State officers, but
to force certain propositions into the con-
test in which they, with all the people,
were deeply interested. The State debt
was increasing annually at the rate of
nearly 81 900, 600 the public schools had
been robbed of the revenues dedicated to
them by the Constitution, and were in
dying condition -one-half of them Sus-
pended, and the other half open for only
about three months the ballot was re-
stricted 10y the capitation tax as prerequi-
site to the exercise of the elective fran
chise the whipping post law had been in
stituted, as a means of working disfranS
chlSement more than a punishment of
evil doors. These questions We're init
mately associated with the progress and
prosperity of the State, as the repressive
spirit they indicated was offensive to the
progressive intelligence OF the country
The canvass was conducted for the Legis-
lature-the State officers having no opposi-
tion-and the way was opened for popular
expression to be made upon them. The lib
eral forces were triumphant in that and
succeeding elections, until finally every
proposition presented and supported by the
Republicans became law, and the State
rescued from Bourbon rule. These sew
eral contests were waged without the aid
Of either State or Federal patronage-they
were waged upon the merits of the issues
formulated and received the endorsement
OF the people because they appealed to the
better sentiment of the Commonwealth.
In 1888, when the liberal party COM
manded Federal and State patronage, it
was defeated but not until the Democratic
party had accepted and endorsed every
measure the Republicans had enacted and
pledged themselves to observe in good
faith the policy and principles with which
the Republicans had opened the fight in 1877
and which were then opposed by the Dem
ocratic party. In 1884 the Republicans
polled 100000 votes against $4,000 in 1876,
and had there been a fair and unembar-
raised expression of public sentiment
they would have carried the State.
These references are sufficient to show
that it was not the influence and aid Of
federal patronage which held the Republic
can party together, but the merit and vir-
tue of the cause they represented and the
policy they advocated. While in 1888 and
1884, the victory was nominally Demo
cratic. it was only so for the reason that
that party had ignored it's own reactionary
and repressiye ideas and purposes and ac-
cepted the progressive, liberal and enlight-
ened views and measures of the Republi-
cans. The victory as to measures and pol
icies was with the Republicans. which the
Democrats had appropriated and under the
inspiration CT the ideas the Republicans
had pressed, passed TO the possession OF the
legislative branch of the government, and
the patronage incident thereto.
We risk nothing in saying that if the
Republicans had not had control of a sim
gle dollar Of either State OF National pa
tronage, they would be to-day from 10000
to 10000 stronger than they are. Every
measure they proposed was in the interest
of the people and received the endorse
ment of popular verdicts, and not until
the Democrats had been driven to abandon
their policy and support that Of the Re-
publicans. were they able to win Il contest,
The distribution of patronage in no way
strengthened them. but in fact weakened
them. and it will weaken any party that
has the control Of it.
1t is customary to denounce the Repub-
icans of Virginia as mercenary and cor
rupt, but they are not afraid OF ashamed
to appeal to the record. Not apropOsition
they have ever presented that has not been
defensible in the forum of conscience and
public policy, and not one of the PROPOSE
lions they have presented, have not the
Democrats been forced to accept to gain
the confidence Of the people.
Not only this, but if we are to judg e
from the views of President Cleveland, as
presented in hisletter on the silver question
and the tone and policy of his administra-
ton as thus far indicated, it will he found
that the Republicans not omy in Virginia,
but Of the entire country. can, with more
consistency, support them than can the
Democrats. There is not q fair-minded,
honest Democrat in the North who can en-
dcrse the Democratic party in its State
policy aliJ measures. and can only tolerate
it because Of the n0minalism it bears. 1t
has been compelled to admit its own stu
pidity and want Of comprehens4on Of the
needs of the people i'll the abandonment of
every measure it supported from 1870 to
1883, as to State matters, and it will be