The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-12-23
aTha Old Regime,

'.Since the old regime suspended busl-
ness in 1S77,''is an expression of cotem-
porary, refe ring to the determine
ton of the Republicans of Virginia
not to nominate q ticket for State officers
in that year. Whether intended as
remark of reproach or contempt OF
either. or not, we do not know. Certain
it is the Republicans of that day have no
regrets to express at this time for the
course they adopted then. The VIRGIN
IAN has some knowledge of the purpose
and plans of that campaign. and it worked
out all and mo re than was contemplated.
It was the most sagacious and effective
movem ent ever inaugurated by a MINOR
ity party, as a brief reference to its re-
suits will demonstrate.
Made desperate by the success OF the
Republican party in 1872 giving the
electoral vote of the State to Grant, the
Democrats, CT Conservatives. as they
were then called, determined in the con-
test for Governor in 1873 to reclaim the
State at whatever cost, and by whatever
means. They succeeded. In 1876 the
same methods and the same appeals were
made to give the electoral vote of the
State to Tilden. The Republicans had to
contend with tissue ballots, ballot-box
suffers, bulldozers, ard appeals 10 race
and sectional prejudices, and DO argument
they could present had the least effect in
bringing the popular mind to reflective
and rational condition. When they would
expose the fearful condition of the State
finances the unconstitutional capitatlon
tax restriction Oh the ballot the brutal
barbarism of the whipping and the
dying condition of the public schools, they
were met by the clamor about carpet
bag rule in South Carolina and Louisiana.
and the desolation that would follow mig
ger rule" in Virginia. Under the pas
sions thus aroused, land. the prejudices thus
inhamed, there was no possible hope of
reaching he.reason of the masses, or Sc
ing for an impartial judgment upon poll
cies and measures. In December. 1876,
after the Presidential election OF that
year, the FIRGINIAN, speaking for the
Republicans, stated that an effort would
be made to eliminate the 'nigger rule"
bugaboo from future political contests
and in April of 1877, when the public mind
was being directed to the State election OF
that year, it announced that the Republi-
cans would not nominate State ticket, but
force the debt question. the repeal OF the
capitation tax restriction on the ballot
and the whipping-post law, and demand
a restitution to the public schools of the
funds dedicated to their support by the
constitution. 1t was essential to the ex-
istence of the State government, that the
fearful condition to which all the great
and vital interests of the State had been
brought by the Democratic party, should
be dealt with heroically, and the tide of
desolation and ruin that had swept over
the Commonwealth arrested. AS Virgin
ians, the Republicans felt that there was
a duty they owed to their State far more
imperative than the simple act of making
a hopeless contest against tissue ballots,
ballot-box manipulators and the devilish
generally of the party in power.
Consequently they presented no candidate
for Governor in 1877, but did press before
the people the debt question, the repeal of
the restriction upon the ballot and the
whipping post law, and the perpetuation
Of the public school system. The public
debt was increasing annually million of
dollars in defaulted interest ; poor citizens
Of the State were deprived OF the ballot,
because of inability to pay the capitation
tax as a prerequisite to voting. in time to
make it effective The statute books bore
the black disgrace of the whipping post
provision, which was used as a political
levice frequently tosdisfranchise innocent
persons, and the public schools were trem-
bling on the verge of ruin, as result of
Democratic hostility and unfriendly legis.
alton. These interests demanded lmme-
late and heroic consideration, but it could
1ot be given so long as the Democratic
eaders could raise the cry of "nigger
'ule" and point to carpet-bag control in
he extreme Southern Estates to brighten
people from their duty. 1t was this con
lition of public affairs that the Republi-
;ans had to deal with and the only mode
presented of proving their devotion to
heir State was in declining to make
,arty contest for the State. offices, and
hus to force the questions we have men,
Toned upon the voters.
The result we all know. The wisdom |
f the policy is recognized by every intel
gent citizen. A Legislature was elected
riendy to the reforms the Republicans
emanded. The restriction upon the
alot was finally removed the whipping
ost law repealed the public schools re.
and the true debt of the State
scertained and formulated, now compre-
ended in an adjustment which both par
es have accepted.