The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-02-21

Col John Allen. of Statesyiie. n > III
an interview with q representative OF 'le
Baltimore American III that city. on the
18th. said he had had an extended converse
ton with Mr.. Blaine, while in Washington
recently. MI Blaine is an intimate frierd
Of Mr.. Allen, who repi esent5 the South
ern Exposition which will BE- held ID some
Northern city during the coming fall. Mr..
Allen explained 10 him the Exposition
project, and Mr.. Blaine at once expressed
in the most cordial way his interest IN IL
and his Willingness to do anything in bis
power to help it forward. lie also tooK
occasion to express his deep interest IN
the development of the South and his
earnest hope for the settiement OF the race
problem in way that will lnure to the
best interest of the whole people The
South, he said, would have to work out the
solution of the race problem for ITSELF
In the selection of Federal officials for
the Southern States Mr.. Blaine led Col.
Allen to think that he would favor the
appointment of conservative Republicans,
men who had laid aside the bitterness OF
war times, and who were aiming at the
development of the country and the nap
piness and welfare of the people.
Ipm MANY WAYS Mr. Blaine expressed his
concern for the welfare Of the South ana
his interest in its future. He convinced
| Col. Allen hat when he took his seat III
President Harrison Cabinet he would
prove as good friend of the South as that
portion Of the country ever had.
| Mr.. Blaine also spoke with freedom
about his acceptance of the position of
Secretary of State in Gen. Harrison 5
Cabinet. and said that President Harrison
rendered him the position very few days
after the election, and did it in such cor
dial way that he at once accepted it in the
same spiri-.
The Intimate relations which will exist
between Gen. Harrison and Mr.. Blaine
after the 4Lh of March next, give pecu-
liar significance to the sentiment above
expressed. It signifies that the next ad
ministration is to be national in its fullest
meaning. and that there will be no reason
able excuse for the people OF the South
of both political parties. Withholding theli
implicit confidence. Those wh> kno"
Mr.. Blaine personally are aware that hi
has nothing but the kindest feelings fol-
the Southern people. While he has a
times denounced, and properly and jastl,
so. the political methods OF the Demo
cratic managers in the Southern States
be has ever entertained and expressed tbs
most catholic sentiments towards the grea
mass of the people, and manifested conf
dence in the progress and prosperity Q
the Southern section. What both Gen
Harrison and Mr.. Blaine will expect vii
be an honest observance OF the laws aht
respect for the constitution. This is a
little as any fair minded. loyal peopl'
could assure. and with this practically
recognized there will be no excuse to draw
the lines between the sections Or proyoca
ion for apy special legislation affectin'
the rights Of the citizen. The constitl
tion ought to be the rule to guide the PEG
pie in their individual and collective con
duct. Loyalty.to it. and all of its require
8 ments, is the only sure test of loyalty t
the government. With this recognized
. the essential step will have been taken t
com mand generous consideration and III
spire policy that would result in bet
ter unders' anding between the sections
and 10 utual p probation of the fruition
to flow from a united and harmoniou
people.
The South is now entering upon a pc
riod of extraordinary development. pre-
gress AMI prosperity. Her maryelou
wealth, As yet in the infancy of its expo
: sure, the limited Improvement for accom-
modating the increase of production, W
invite the construction of transportatlo
facilities: the genial climate will attrac
visitors for health and pleasure, and he
ma ural resources will command unlimite
capital TO consummate these resplts
it is essential that sectional feeling shout
be abated; political methods in conilic
with the laws and constitution should b
abandoned, and that these who create an
mould public sentiment should addfpe
themselves to cutiyating friendly rela
lions with the government. We ale sur
: an advance in this line. would be me
more than half way by the incoming ad
minstration, and that such policy woul
be instituted and carried out as would en-
courage every effort and movement hay
ing for its object the peace and prosperit
of the South and. 1t is the duty of con
/ servative men of both parties to seriousl
think over these matters and use thel
| Influence to peutraliZe if not destro
the plots and plans of the pestiferon
agitators, whether OF one party or ar
other.