The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-08-24
POLITICAL MEETING IN ROCKINGHAM.

JJd0u ulOIudy Wtto lliC HtSl udJ vi tHC 4u II
terly term of the County Court of Rock ing
ham, We have never seen larger atten-
dance Of the people on any similar occasion
in Harrisonburg, noted as tits FOR the multi
tudiousness of the gatherings on Court days
After the morning hour Of the Court had
expired, a large number of the substantial
citizens of, the county assembled in the Court
House for the purpose of appointing delegates
to the Richmond Conservative Convention.
After good deal Of parleying, Col. Geo
r. Deneale called the meeting to ORDER by
nominating DR.. Geo. W. Kemper as chair
man, and Messrs. John Fl. Wartmann John
Gatewood and Gideon Shiery, as secretaries
On motion of Col. Denealo the CHAIRMAN
appointed one person from each township, to
recommend to the meeting suitable persons to
represent the Conservative party of Rocking
ham in the Richmond Convention. That
committee consisted of: Alcssrs. Geo. E. De
neale, R. D. Cushcn, E. j. Armstrong, w
S. Lurty, VIM. Sellers, Dr. J. B. Webb
Whitfield Mauzy, N. Turner and b. P Tcel
The committee in short time reported the
following nane1 gentlemen to the meeting as
delegates, which report was adopted:
Central Township, Col. Geo. q. Deneae
Franklin Township, Maj. Thos-. J. Shumatc
Harrisonburg, W. H. Efinger; Linvile, Col
D. H. Lee Martz; Ashby, Col. P. S Roller
Stoncwall, J. NJ. Weaver; Plains, Capt VIM
NJ. Sibert; Brooks Cap, Dr. John G. Cootes
Elk Run, DIR. S. P Fl. Miller
A resolution was also adopted, on motion
of Col. G. 7. O'Ferrall, authorizing any Con-
sentative voter Of township, who should
happen to be in Richmond, to represent said
township, in the event of the absence of the
regular delegate; or to represent any other
township not represented either by the reg
plar delegate or citizen of the township.
r. A. Gray, ESQ, read several resolutions,
suggesting to the Richmond Convention, as
the sense of the Rockingham meeting-that
the name Conservative should be adhered to
as representing the party opposed to Radical
ism in Virginia endorsing the New Depar-
ture platform of Vallandigham, and recon,
mcnding to the Convention the adoption of
some plan for the pccuniary relief of the
people of Virginia.
After some remarks by COL Dencale and
Mr.. Gray, the resolutions were withdrawn.
We were somewhat interested in Mr. De-
neale's line of argument. Although holding
out the idea of relief, he yet maintained that
nothing should be done to impinge the hon
or and character of Virginia or tarnish her
fame. He regarded it as a locaI question -
OF course this position is iuadrnssable. It
cannot be localized 1t is one that must pc
rate uniformly all over the State, whatever
legislation is had upon it. The question,
however, was very carefully and cautiously
touched upon. No suggestion was made as to
the plan Of rcief-no remedy offered for the
evil complained Of. We do not remember
ever to have seen assembled in Rockingham,
or any other county, a more serious and
thoughtful audience. They were evidently
awaiting the development of some tangible
scheme Of relief-somc suggestion that would
dissipate the clouds of uncertainty that low
or over them, but none was presented.
We are we'll satisfied that the sterling peo-
pie of Rockingham do not intend to coamit
themselves to any hasty or impolitic action
on this very important subjcct-that they
have no endorsement for the wild, 1ncoherent
and rambling Examinations Of the Register-
but they intend to be regulated and controll-
ed not only by high sense Of personal hon
or, but jealous regard for the future char
acter and prosperity of the State. They ev-
identity feel the oppressiveness Of the taxes
imposed upon them, in common with the
whole people of the State and they are also
impressed with the conviction that there is
no feasible mode Of getting rid of them
The machinery of State government might be
so modified as to perceptibly lessen the ex-
penses OF its administration in some of it's
various ramiications. This can, and no doubt
will be done. The system is not perfect
1t would be unreasonable to expect that it
should be. The condition Of things in >Vir-
ginia was novel and unprecedented, when the
last Legislature met Many Of the members
were inexperienced. They had to map out and
put in operation an entirely new scheme Of
State government, to carry out the new Con-
stitution. In doing so, some oyersights and
omissions followed. That was expected.-
These defects can be corrected by the next
Legislature, and thc expenses Of the govern
ment greatly reduced It, however, will take
men Of reflection, of deep thought, of well
minds and experience to deal with
the matter But as to one thing, the people
might as we'll make up their minds first as
last, and that is-the pn5tic debt has to be
paid. There is no way of escaping from this.
BY the first of January next the entire debt
will have been funded in registered and cou-
pom bonds and certificates Of indebtedness
The contract with the bond holders will have
been closed, and the only possible mode of
effecting any modification of the condition of