The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-01-05

he successor to Senator Riddleberger.-~
Some of them were complimentary to the
Chairman before the action OF The caucus, /
and reflected upon the VIRGINIAN for
plainly stating its views. But now that t
The caucus action has been had, they con-
graduate themselves and their party that |
they have an issue that will unite their |
forces They now say they care nothing |
for the differences among Democrats on
the tariff, internal revenue. the Blair Bill |
and like vital questions. as threatening 10
Democratic harmony and success in the
State. These will be ignored. as all
others were ignored in the last campaign
and absorbed in the one issue OF Ma
hone'' A majority of the Republican
members of the Legislature did precisely
what the Democrats wanted them to do
snubbed Riddleberger, the Valley and the
Southwest, and complimented the Chair
man at the expense of party unity and,
we fear, of party success.
So far as Mr.. Blaine is concerned. we
are ONLY for him as we may believe he is
the most available candidate. With any
other nominee, we would have apprehen-
sion of the solid electoral vote OF the Pa
cifc States and the Northwest. With him
we believe every State in the Union could
be carried for the Republican ticket,
north of the Potomac and west of the
Ohio, except possibly New York, He
would be the strongest Republican noml-
nee for the border Southern States. and
would stand better chance of carrying
the electoral votes of Virginia. West Vir-
ainia. Tennessee and North Carolina than
any other candidate who could be noml-
mated. We. however. do not favor the
policy of pledged delegations. We hope
the Virginia delegation will go to the
Chicago Convention tree TO support the
M an who will most probably carry the
| doubtful Northern States: bul " Ill he GER
tain of the Pacific ana Northwestern
States. and make the greatest inroads
upon the border Southern States. AS a
delegate TO the Convention CT 1884, We
voted for Arthur. In obedience to he
| instructions of the Virginia Republican
State Convention. and not for Blaine, as
the Ne.rs seems to iutimate. But whether
Blaine shall be the Republican standard
bearer in 1888, or another Republican. we
expect to labor to give the electoral vote
of Virginia to him, as earnestly IN the
one case as in the other. This thing Of
raising the question about the: support Of
Gen. Mahone's friends, as though they
constituted an organization within the
Republican party and separate.and distinct
from it, for this or that Congressional or
Presidential nom inee, is rejection upon
their Republicanism, and misconceptlon
of the sentiment of the great mass OF the
rank and file of the party. 1t is assum-
ing that Gen. Malone is greater than the
Republican party and that Ibis friends
owe paramount allegiance to him-that the
party is a mere piece of machinery TO he
run in the interest of one man, and that
those who may guest ion SUCH policy are
untrue to the party. That is a deusion
that must of necessity be soon dissipated.
The Republicans of Virginia have high
er aim, we hope. and are animated and
controlled in their political action and as
ISOLATION by nobler purpose. They be-
lleve In the principles of the party, and
that no one man is necessary to their pres
eryation and the success of the policy that
is the legitimate outgrowth OF Them
One man power is too narrow basis for
party to safely build upon. 1t is OF the
flesh fieshy, and would soon run into dry
rot and death. The people should be i'm:
pressed with healthier estimate OF politi-
cal expediency. They should understand
, that men are unstable, liable to commit
errors, are warped by their prejudices and
, feelings, and unless restrained. disposed tt
abuse power and peryert authority in The
interest of self. A little brief authority
frequently turns the heads of able men
and slavish submission but augments thu
, tendency to despotic methods and arei
, trary orders. The growing Republican
: sentiment in Virginia demands a w.del
latitude and faosa unrestricted freedom
, than one mans will. The Teeeat action
= of the Democratic Legislature of Virgins
in adopting resolutions embodylDg Repno
r llcan doctrines and opposing the view
\ emauating from Democratic President
illustrates the growth aud aggression o
, Republican ideas, and that to consult ant
a accommodate them the expedient is resort
j.. ed TIC of declaring for Republican policy il
q order to hold together The Earring element
3 of Virginia Democracy. Is it the polio
p of the Republicans to repel this sentimen
q and discourage this disahectlon by pr
). sentipg no other refuge than GDed,enG
to one man power? Or should it pe III
). policy to open wide the doors and inyW
,, all il to a free communion and to an eqia
!. | paEtjcipaney in tie labors and rewards Of
: party service aEa party success? II w
r believe that the principles ana polic's o.
|, the Republican party would operate to-
q the good of all and that Virginia woult
|. grow in wealth and prosperity qnde
= their influence, We should present then
q as TIE object of attraction and tn
: test of party faith. and not bow down an
i worship Golden Calf.
= Party organizations, State and Nationa
Y we're primarily instituted to give expires
sion to and enforce policies affecting gov
ernment. They were meyer intended to
a convenient machinery to promote ipd.
{ vidual ambitions, apart from the pnhle
good. Such use of them is a perversieS Of
% their design and legitimate missiol.-
IS When egear they are so used they become
= an obstruction 10 goqd government ar
o agency to defeat the enas Of Fight aanc
deny to the people the power Ehefh ].
theirs, In the very Organization Of saiety
When both principles and public tlic!
q are made subordinate to individug
5 schemes and plots through party OIL
: carnations, it is the duty of the pee
\ pie to rebnke the usurpation and deman
! 2 rea1orati9n Of The machinery of party
y its proper uses. Che people cannot be to