The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-05-13
Gov. Foraker and the Conference.


1t has been stated through the public
prints that it had been intimated to Gov.
J. B. Foraker, of Clio, that his presence
at the General Conference of the Method
would not be agreeable on account Of his
recent reference to Jefferson Davis speech
in Montgomery. Gov. Foraker had been
elected, some time since. as a fraternal
delegate from the Northern Methodist
Conference, to bear the greetings of one
branch of Methodism in America to an
other, and to consider and discuss the
plans proposed for the advancement of the
veal of the Church in common, and the
spread of the doctrines of Wesley through
out the length and breadth of the land
He had been chosen because of his high
standing as man and christian his
knowledge of ecclesiastical law and the
deep interest he has always manifested in
the affairs of the church. His mission
would have been purely that of peace and
good fellowship in connection with church
concerns, but because he had chosen at a
reunion of Federal soldiers, to condemn
in Jefferson Davis that which no member
of the Conference would undertake to de-
fend, he is given to understand that he
would not be welcomed by the body to
which he was sent as representative.
We are reluctant to believe that any
such intimation was sent out by author
ity of the Conference. 1t may have been
the ebullition of two or three fife-eaters,
but certainly if the Conference did not
sanction it, the denial should have fol-
lowed swift upon the rumor
Gov. Foraker's offense. as stated, con-
sisted in his having denounced the recent
utterances of Davis as reasonable. The
resurrection of the States Sovereignty idea
by the Confederate ex-President was Of
fensiye not only to the men who fought
to exterminate that idea, but to the men
who fought for its maintenance. blu
yielded the point in good faith under the
stern decree of the last appeal. If any
significance could be attached to the va
porings of dotage, then the utterances
which were so loudly applauded, were a
reflection upon the intelligence, the man
hood and the fair fame of the Southern
people. They have accepted the results Of
the war ; they acknowledge that State
Sovereignty was. but the dream Of theo
rist ; they rejoice at the emancipation of
the slaves. and they are prepared to let
those dead issues slumber in the grave of
the past, whilst they turn to the pressing
duties of the present, and look forward to
the day when the South shall be the great
industrial centre. and peace and plenty OBJ
literate the last scar and memory of war.
These results can only be achieved
through the wedding Of Northern enter
prise and capital to Southern resources,
the issue of which shall prove blessing
to both sections. The man whose mission
before the public a bloody corpse, and re-
vive all the animosity and hatred of
score of years, is an enemy to the public
veal and nothing but responsibility
should protect him from public condemna-
tion. 1t is because Gov. Foraker did con-
denim him that the Conference is said to
have taken offence. Yet we question if
there is a member of that Conference who
would rise in his seat to defend Mr.. Davis.
and there should not be one to say ought
against the man who voices what many of
them feel and who in all that becomes q
man is as far above jeff Davis as the linn
its of human nature permits.
Master Workman Powderly has ad-