The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-07-05
Dutv of the Hour.

its present unexampled condition OF pros
peIity. Their obligations to that duty are
paramount-higher than any attachment
they may have former, orresentmeEt they
may have felt against each other. We have
had an acrimonious conflict OF OPINION
within the party in the State. each faction
contending for line of action which it be-
lieved to be right and was tenacious in its
adhesion to it until final appeal was made
to the National Convention. The action OF
that body partially sustained each, and
gave them about equal representation in its
deliberations. 1t did not, however, eradi-
cate the ill. feeling that had been engen-
dered, or finally settle the differences so AS
to leave clear line of conduct marked
out for each to pursue. The responsibility
is left with the Republicans of the State
to meet the emergency, to adjust the diff
| ferences, and harmonic in the interests
of the nominees which have been pre-
scented for their support. That duty re-
mains to be discharged. 1t is duty THAT
should be approached with individual con-
sderations secondary, and with firm re-
solve that self and selfish purposes and
partialitieS be made subordinate to the
demands of the occasion. The party is
infinitely greater than any one man-its
principles and policies are infinitely of
more Importance than the personal schemes
and plans of any one man, and it will test
the patriotism and the motive of every
Republican in the State, when the issue
is presented, whether he will decide for
one man or the party.
We believe that the electoral vote of
| Virginia can be given to the Chicago NOM
inees, if wise counsel and unselfish consid-
erations dominate in the action of the
| Virginia Republicans, mutual crnces sions
be made 10y the st veral factions. and Il de-
tt rmi alton reached that the party and
its interests must be considered first. and
| lesser quest ions afterwards There are no
such radical differences existing, Tat if
fai ly stated and impaftially c0nsidtred.as
which solution cannnt be If cit d.
There is no one man S claim or pre,ension
| that can be measure with the duty of CIV
ing 10 Harrison and Morton united and
aggressive support. There Cali be no excnse
| Offered or suggest ed that would Justify any
one in inteIposing chstl uclions TO such a
contamination.
We therefore trust and believe that
some plan will lie suggested and policy
adopted that will unite the party-will
bring together in working accord, if not
In friendly relations. the leaders now es-
tranged, and that an electoral ticket and
State management will be arranged that
will commandIthe confidence and invoke
the earnest labors of every Republican in
the State. The people are ready and will
ing for such an arrangement. In fact,
they demand it, and will visit with relent-
less condemnation the man. or the set of
men, who will hinder or prevent it. Not
to surrender preconceived not ions and self
ish plans, in an emergency like that which
C ,nfronts us, would be to argue the
absence of conviction as to principles
and devotion to the Republican party as
N instrument to accomplish public good
1t would be to place selfish plots above the
public welfare, and subordinate party,
State and country, to the low ambition of
bad and untrustwortIy men.
1t is time to test the integrity of men,
and the sincerity Of their Repubicanism.
It is a time to demonstrate to the country
that identity with the Republican organi-
cation is something more than merce-
nary motive, or the result of individual
interests-that it is the evidence of con-
victiun. and that personal feeling and per-
s NAL relation can and will he made su-
Ordinate to the higher duty of party sup
port.
The eyes of the country are upon the
r ,publcans of Virginia. Their conten-
tions have been made national. Let it be
shown that they can meet the expectation
of Republicans everywhere by settling
their own differences. and by mutual con-
cessons and mutual sacrifices. bring about
a fair and satisfactory adjustment of their
contentious. To our mind the way is plain
and clear to this end, and we doubt not it
will suggest itself to every earnest Repub-
lican who has no other object in view than
the success of the party
An electoral ticket can be formed COM
| posed OF equal numbers from the reSpec-
tive factions. A chairman can be selected
satisfactory to all true Republicans. with
both Houston and Malone retired. We
are Indifferent as to men for these posi-
tions, so they are true Republicans who
will regard the party fifst, and above the
mere schemes of individuals. Such an
arrangement would meet popular approval
and command the support of the full party
strength. While we believe Houston is
the best man that could be selected for
chairman of the committee in this cam
paign, yet he would not be acceptable to
some of the friends of Gen. Malone, and
for that reason, and that alone, we make
the suggestion of his retiring, so as to
remove all possible cause for dissension.
Will the Republicans of the State be
| 70 . ,a