Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-10-31
WOODSTOCK, VIRGINIA.
Thursday Morning. october 81. 1879
FOR CONGRESS'
JOHN T. HARRIS.
THE RADICAL MEETING.

Friday the citizens of Shenandoah would
be addressed by Gov. Wells. Col Shields,
Capt. Lurty, Col Mosby, Gen. Wickham
and Sen. Lewis. Lurty. Wickham.
Mosby and Lewis did not put in an ap
pcarance. Curiosity to know whether
they could tell US why we should vote
for Grant prompted number of our
citizens to attend. At the appointed
time, Col. Shields was introduced. He
started out with the apparent object of ex-
planning the Radical platform and pro-
ceeded as far as Firstly, when he advoca-
ted the high tariff doctrine. With singu-
lar bolcness be denied the well known
feet that carpet bsggers had bankrupted
some Of the Southern States. He demon
strated to his own satisfaction, we pre-
sumo. that the negroes and confederate
soldiers were under obligations to vote for
Grant. One of tie strongest reasons
which he presented was that Gen. Grant
actea like gentleman ct the surrender
OF Gen. Lee. Had lie acted otherwise
lie would, We have no doubt, receive the
fame support from the Radical party
His appreciation of the gallansry of the
Confederate soldier was expressed in the
most 1attering manner. From his re-
marks, one would have thought that he
was about forsakng his party by admit
ting that a Confederate soldier was as
good, if Dot superior. to an ordinary ne
gro. He read the following extract,
written by supporter of Gen. Grant
which he. in his ignorance. we suppose,
attributed to Horace Greeley: But
nevertheless we mean to conquer them
not merely to defeat, to conquer. to sui jul
gate them-and We shall do this the most
mercifully the more speedily we do it.
But when the rebellious traitors are over
whelmed in the field, and scattered like
leaves before an angry wind, it must not
homes They must find poverty al their
fresides, and see privation in the anxious
eyes of mothers and the rags Of children
We confess that we were disappointed
in the character ofhis speech. We fully
expected that some good argument would
be presented. But it certainly had no
effect, further than to confirm those who
had already made up their minds to vote
for Greeley and Brown.
Gov. Wells followed, and opened his
speech by informing the audience that
his sympathies were with those who were
seeking the benefit Of the homestead law.
lie next presented Charles O'Connor in
III very fattering manner. His heart
seemed to be overlooking with feeling Of
admiration of Gen. Lee and the gallant
confederate soldier. He related an Incl
dent of reconciliation where a Southern
lady sent flowers to decorate the graves
of union soldiers. but did not tell US that
when lady whose sympathies were with
the. South attempted TO place flowers up
on the grave of Southern Soldier at the
Arlington Cemetery, she was insulted by
one of Grants minions and the flowers
were crushed by bis foot. For bypo-
critical whining, and disgusting fattery,
these speeches exceeded anything that
we have heard. On one or two occasions
the negroes in the gallery manifested
their appreciation of the sentiments ex.
pressed. Otherwise there was no en-
tbusiasm land the remarks fell upon an
audience that listened in silence The
weather was very inclement, and many,
we have no doubt, were prevented from
being present. We can, however, console
them with the assurance that their loss
was not great.