The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-10-07
REPUBLICAN NOMINEE.

FOR CONGRESS-TENTH DISTRICT,
JACOB YOS T,
OF Augusta.
The Canvass.
Thus far the canvass for Congress in this |
district has been very quietly and rational |
" conducted, with but little Of the excite
ment and bitter feeling which haye attend
ed political contests in the past. Between
the candidates themselves there are the
most agreeable personal relations, and
when they have met in joint discussion
the utmost courtesy and fairness have been
observed, which has met the approval OF
the people generally. We hope this pleas
ant understanding and absence of every
thing like harshness will continue to the
close of the contest. If the great mass OF
the voters were to be consulted, it would
be SO, for they have become Disguised with
the bitter elimination and re-crimination
that have too frequently taken the place of
calmn and dispassionate appeals to their
Judgment and rational m ethods of conduct
ing political controversies. The people
really desire to vote right. They have no
other interest in the result Of the election
except that it may contribute to the enact
ment of wise laws and the adoption of sa-
gacious policies affecting the general
welfare. They realize the fact that
there is stagnation in business-that mon
nv, 30 cooroa or1 fbof fip,oc ORC roo11v ond
truly dull. They know there is cause for
these conditions, but what it is they are
not prepared to say, especially if they have
been and are identified with the party in
power We have endeavored to assign a
reason for it as it is presented to our mind,
and sustain it by such facts and arguments
as we believe are germane to its discussion.
We have contended that the diStrust which
prevails in business circles has been attrib
utable to the apprehension of a change in
the basis of business. The fact is admit
ted that the system of laws and poll
cies which have governed in the admins
tration of the government for the past
twenty years, are of Republican origin and
support and that their enactment was op.
posed by the Democrats at every step. The
threat which democratic success carried
with it. that the theories and policies of
that party would be enforced, and the basis
to which all business had been adjusted
would be disturbed, caused distrust, and
operated to incline capital from the active
channels of trade and enterprise. 1t was
natural that this should be so, Capital is
sensitive. 1t wants to know upon what it
has to build before it embarks in indus.
trial undertakings, and when the fact was
presented that the party which had op.
posed the legislation and the policy which
have built up our industrial system, restor-
ed the credit of the government, and puri-
fed and solidified our, financial policy, had
been advanced to power, the question came
up legitimately what does this mean? Is
it the purpose of that party to practically
enforce its theories as to finance, currency
tariff duties and the like interests, which
reach to the foundation Of our whole COM
mercial and industrial fabrics, and to
change the basis to which the business of
the country has been adjusted? The
President was known to lean to the policy
Of tariff for revenue only. He was in
sympathy with the importing interests of
New York. His chosen Secretary of the
Treasury was upon record as revenue
reformer," which simply means direct
road to free trade His Secretary of State
entertains similar views. The choice of
the Democratic party for Speaker of the
Of Esepres tatiyes- was known to be
for free trade in theory. The important
committees of the House were organized 10
give emphasis to that sentiment. The
whole trend of the influences put in motion
under the new administration, pointed to
radical modification of our custom laws
and ruinous change in he-policy of the
government relating to our industrial in.
terests These considerations were not
overlooked by capital. 1t felt it was a
time to hesitate-to wait untilsome tangi-
BILE evidences were adduced to show wheth.
er their fears were ell-grounded. All
public enterprises realized that there was
uncertainty and doubt as to what would
come next. Then followed the Morrison
tariff bill, which recognized the principle
OF free trade and was as near declaration
of that policy as it was safe to announce in
the presence of the trembling, disturbed
relations of capital and industry. These
Influences operated upon investments.
Money felt safer in the banks. 1t retir.
ed from the active channels of trade, and
thus stagnation and paralysis followed.
Not until the test was made in Congress as
to the policy thus forshadowed, was there
relief felt. When it was found that the
Democratic party, even with the encour-
agement given by the President and his
administration, could not control legisla-
tion-that a few democrats in the House
united with the Republicans, land a Repub-
lican Senate were strong enough to arrest
the purpose and defeat the policy Of
the truly. representative element of that
party, then, and not until then, was there
partial return of confidence. But the
harmful effects of the fears entertained
could not be removed. They have been
felt all over the country. They have reach
ed to every avenue Of industry, and to-day
there is more idle labor, more anxious in
quiry as to what the winter will bring to
humble homes. and more anxiety for the
present than has been felt for years past.
These are some of the reasons which have
caused the people to think and to ask
themselves whether they are in duty bound
to follow the lead of partizan m anagers re-
gardless of consequences-to endorse and
support that (which they know must
bring injury upon themselves and their
children and operate to stagnate the bust
ness interests of the country. They want
to hear these matters discussed calmly and
nationally, for they relate to the present and
future, and are anxious to learn which of
the two parties is right in its policies, as
they affect the homes and pockets of the
great masses Of the people.
For these reasons there Is less of parti-
zan failing 1pss of inhammatorv pycito