The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-02-09
Ready for the Fray.

Ready for the Fray.
We do not think we have ever known
the Republican party OF the Nation to be
in better fighting trim than it is at this
time. Its accidental defeat four years
ago has put the organization on ITS metal,
and from one extreme Of the country to
the other the utmost confidence in sue
cess this year prevails. The fact that the
Democratic party has administered the
government under the laws enacted by the
Republicans, without understanding their
scope sufficiently to adjust them to occnr-
ring emergencies, and is claiming credit
for partial success, which is not the legit'
innate result of Democratic measures,
has aroused the Republicans to the ne
cessity of claiming their own, and max
ing brave struggle to regain the power
to enforce their own legislation Had
Democratic theories been enacted into
law and the formally declared views OF
the President crystalized into statutes
and policies. disturbing, If not destroying
the basis upon which the industries and
the prosperity of the country have been
contaminated. we would find now differ
ent conditions to contemplate than those
which confront US. Whatever OF merit
there may be in the present administers
ton, is due to the fact that the party it
represents has not been able to modify
or destroy Republican legislation and sub
stitute for it Democratic theories and as
sumptions. The country has been spared
the fearful disasters that would necessa-
rily have followed a purely Democratic ad-
ministration upon Democratic policies
But it has not escaped the effect Of tie
apprehension that The tare possibility OF
such a change has inspired. 1t has been
affected enough to arouse attention to the
perils that are possible, and invoke the
serious thought of the business interests
to more secure entertainments than are Of
fered by All administration that would up
root and derange the economic system,
which has carried the Nation from imam
cial chaos to assured prosperity.
1t is common for the Democratic pa
selves and their party that the country has
not experienced any insurmountable dis
asters as the result of Democratic success.
But mention is omitted of the important
fact that it is because the Democracy
could not have It's own way-that a
protesting few in its own ranks united
with full Republican force. have held
them in check, and arrested the reVolu-
tionary invasion of government safe
guards by the adoption OF such meas
ures as the Morrison tariff bill. 1t is
upon this assumed success of Democratic
administration that is predicated claim
to the confidence of the people and the
hope of a continuance OF Democratic SUI
premacy. But the people cannot be SC
easily deceived. They begin to under
stand what they may expect from another
term of a Democratic President The re-
cent message proposing radical change
in the revenue policy and direct assault
upon the Industrial system OF the Nation,
which would implicate for evil, every
ramificaUion of trade. has startled them
Tito q sense OF lH6 Danger tLdb 10 III Sdt'
ened, and aroused them to the importance
of organization and preparation for the
next great contest which is 10 determine
the control of the government, as well as
the perpetuation of the benefcent policies
the Republicans inaugurated. 1t is tins
influence and feeling that is operating
upon the Republican, masses, and drawing
them together in earnest consultation t.
discipline their forces for the quadrennia
struggle.
chat the principles and policies of jth'
Republican party are best for the country
and that large majority of the voters o.
the States are 50 convinced, we have III
doubt. The National Convention viii
have the duty placed upon it OF consulting
this prevailing sentiment. and presenting
a ticket that will command public conf
dence and bring out and hold the full Re
publican strength. With that done. thu
result of the November election viii
again emphasize the trust OF the Ameri
can people in the Republican party, arc
assure to the country another era of pro
gress and prosperity.