The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1893-08-10
Partisan Madness.

Inc ETeSs OF this city has finally felt
the force of public senti nent so keenly
as to attempt the defense of its mad
partisan efforts to intensity business
panic for partisan ends. The fact that
1t has been compelled to present an elab-
crate defense of it's own record shows
that it has not been in accord with the
general business sentiment of the com
munity, and that it is finally alarmed
at its own attitude.
The attempt to increase public dis
trust by sensational displays of business
misfortunes and by steady current of
editorial discussions looking solely to
partisan advantage, is simply midsum-
mer madness in these times of common
peril to every channel of commerce, in>
dustry and trade. And none have mis-
taken the obvious purpose of the Press
to magnify the business distrust of the
country and to widen and deepen busi>
ness unrest to promote political ends
Even after giving a column political
ends. Even after given column Of ed
itorial apology and explanation in yester>
days issue it has another editorial on the
same page with the significant heading
'Good Reasons to be Scared and the
line of it's argument is purely partisan.
The Press assumes that because there
is greater business distress now than
preston in values and monetary tringens
cy are the local result of the election OF a
Democratic President. In this it simply
mocks the truth and confesses its want
OF intelligence or candor. The most se>
rious and most protracted business dis
tress this country has known for half
century began in 1878, and ended in
'7S There had been no change of ad-
ministratiOn, for the Republican party
had been in power for thirteen years
when the panic began, and continued
in power during the five years of bust.
ness paralysis and liquidation. Just in
the middle of President Harrisons ad-
ministration, when the government was
Republican in both branches of Congress
business was paralyzed and there were
more failures in the industries of our
city through the early part of Harrison's
than there have been in the present al
most unexampled business panic. Eighty
wooden establishments of this city and
vicinity failed in one year during Har-
rison's administration, but none were
weak enough to assume that it was be-
cause Mr.. Cleveland had been defeated
and Mr.. Harrison elected
The great business interests of the
country are in no temper to tolerate the
partisan madness that seeks to protract
and intestify business panic for partisan
ends. The election of Mr.. Cleveland had
nothing whatever to do with the panic.
Harrison might possibly have averted it
for time or tempered it's force had he
been more couragou but no partisan ac
cusations can reasonably be made against
either President or either party as au-
thols of the present disturbed sondi-
ton.
We have drifted away from a sound
financial policy and both parties contri-
buted to the unfortunate result. We
are now reaping tie whirlwind and the
peril is common to all sections, to all in
terests and to all parties; and it is the
duty of every patriotic citizen. of what
ever political faith, to put partisanship
entirely out of sight unit! we, shall have
completely and permanently restored our
national credit to the highest standard
and thus give Inspiration to private
credit thoughoutthe land.
The misfortune traces it's fountains to
all existing parties and the remedy must
trace its source to the patriotic men who
regard country as paramount to party.
In such condition the appeal of the par
tisan harshly jars upon business senti-
ment and the patriotic convictions of
the people, and all who are wise will
discard all partisan interests and aims
until common safety shall have been at
tanned Philddelphi0 Times.