The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-02-05
Dwelling Together in Unity.

tlon of its party platform adopted at
Lynchburg, and that promulgated at
Chicago, it has arraigned in direct terms
and singing reproach the laggard Democ-
racy in hanging on to "reminiscences and
clinging to exploded notions. In doing SO
it has condemned the whole record of its
party, for the platforms to which we have
were especially intended to catch
birds of every feather and to be twisted
and>construed to suit every vagary on the
questions presented in them. If fealty to
principle and policy is the guide for, a pa
per or public man. then the Vindicator
ought to have discarded the party name it
recognizes and accepted that which it OPP
poses, for in all the progressive views it
announces it is simply endorsing that
which is part of the recorded history of
the Republican party. 1t is indeed, tanta-
mount to admitting that its own party has
been simply an organization of obstrrc-
tion, failing to comprehend the needs of
the times in which we live and the instru-
mentalities to be employed to promote the
welfare of the people. 1t is an admission
that the principles and policies of the Re-
publican party are best suited to the con-
ditions which surround US, and that it is
only through their practical enforcement
that we can expect that wise legislation
and material advancement so essential to
our proper relation to the political power
and industrial progress of the country
We apprehend the Democratic party will
not measure up to the indicators de-
mands. 1t is 100 severely hedged about
with fossils and memories-with tradi-
tional prejudices and incorrigible hates to
advance to the enlightened relations which
all the people should bear to governmental
duties. 1t has stood in the path of Vir-
ginia's progress for twenty years, and only
been forced to accept the inevitable when
the memorable logic of public opinion and
national law has left no other alternative.
Whatever of liberal legislation has been
enacted, has emanated from influences
outside of the Democratic party and in
obedience to the aroused manhood of the
Commonwealth which has broken away
from the mandates and DEGREES of the par
ty machine. The bitter antagonisms
which exist to-day, the harsh assailment
and savage arraignment of the Republic
cans, is because the Democracy has been
compelled to surrender it's idols, and ac-
cept reforms and progressive legislation
not of its instigation. There cannot be
any just complaint against the measures
and legislation of the Readjusters and Re-
publicans as they affect Virginia's inter
est, and yet there is not a law on the stat
ute book looking to departure from crys-
talized follies and oppressive absurdities
which, did not encounter its opposition.
When driven from it's entertainments of
prejudice and passion by the irresistible
assault of the people, it could only regain
power by appropriating the achievements
of it's opponents and confessing its inca
pacity to comprehend the necessities of
the Commonwealth. And yet in this
compulsory and humiliating attitude it
has had the impudence and effrontery to
assail, as unworthy of public trust, the
very party which accomplished these &C.
cepted results, in the face of it's persis-
tent and relentless opposition
We care very little about party names,
except as they may represent policies to
be enforced and results to be attained
When what we believe to be right and ex-
perience has proven to be for the good of
the people, has been accomplished. we are
ready to recognize and support the agency
which effected it. For this reason we
supported the Readjusters and from SINH
lar convictions We argue for the Republi-
cans, for their policy and purpose In State
affairs are the same. The result Of their
administration, so far as it relates to the
general interests of the masses, has been
so wise and commendable, that even the
Democracy has been forced to accept it,
and the Vi,adicdtor pleads that it signalizes
new departure by accepting Republican
policy in National affairs. We welcome
all the recruits which may offer their aid,
but in doing so it is not to be expected that
the hostile force shall appropriate the fru-
itions and claim them as it's own.
Encouraged by the onslaught of the
indicator on Mr.. Thicker because of his
tariff views and his attitude on the Blair
Educational bill, NEW Virginia" comes
to the assistance Of our neighbor in its
last issue in a fierce attack on the repre-
sentative-elect from this district because
Of his opposition to national aid to the
public free schools and his support of the
Morrison tariff bill. Mr.. Tucker has not
yet entered upon his duties as the repre-
sentative in Congress from the 10th dis
trict, and will not until after the 4th of
March. Since his nomination and cleo
ton he has taken no position that he had
rot announced before he was unanimously
chosen as the standard-be of his par
ty. He had voted for the Morrison bill
before that Convention met. He had en-
tered his fatal objection to the considera-
ton of the Blair Bill in advance of the en-
dorsement of his party in Convention as
sembled. He was not catechised as to his
views on these.issues. He was not asked to
recant or modify anything he had said or
done. He was accepted and endorsed and
nominated with his record as he had made
it. He had right to assume that his
votes and motions in Congress were not
offensive to the people represented in that
Convention, and did so assume during the
campaign. He made no effort to deceive
any one If there were those who were
deceived, it was because they wished to be
deceived He proclaimed his convictions
from every rostrum in the district, and
left no one in doubt as to what he would
do were he elected as the representative
of this people. The Lynchburg plat
form was designed for and susceptible of
two constructions, one to suit the free
traders or tariff reformers and the other
to satisfy the protectionists. Mr.. Tucker
accepted it with his construction of it,
The Chicago platform was intended in the
same way. Morrison and Watterson and
Hurd and Carlisle construed 1t to be good
enough tariff REFORM for them, and
Converse and Randall assumed that it was
good enough protection for them. Mr..
Tucker regarded it as a political ''spring
board, from which to turn back or front
com orcou1t opd bo oonStr11od II 70 c,,;t