Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1873-09-25
POLITICAL MATTERS.
Political oiss.rsa'er at Earritonburg.

There was discussion Of the polite
al issues Of the day, on the Court
green, in this place, OH Monday last,
(court day.) The Conservative party
was represented by Colonel Robert
E. Wlthers, the candidate for Lieu
tenant-Govemor on that ticket, aud
the Republicans were represented by
Mr. Ramsdeli, Radical candidate for
Lieutenant Governor, and Judge Fultz;
Radical candidate for Attorney Gen
eral. There was very large crowd Of
the sturdy yeomanry Of Rockingham
present, and the greatest attention was
given the speakers during the entire
discussion, which lasted for FIVE hours.
The opening speech was made by Col
Withers. He arraigned the Radical
party on long and black catalogue of
crimes. and enormities perretrated up
on the people OF the Southern States in
every instance where they have had
the power. y'he picture be drew of
South Carolina, Louisiana and Arkan-
sas, was really heart-sick enine; and but
that his charges were sustained by the
Official record, his auxiliary could not
have believed the half he told His
speech was marked by solid, plain rea
soning, sustained by incontrovertible
facts and figures.
Mr.. Ramsdell, who lives in Surry
county, Va, in his opening remarks,
gave brief autobiography of himself.
By way Of commencing himself to the
favor OF our people, he stated that
while citizen Of Pennsylvania he was
member of the Legislature Of that
State Now, if Mr. Ramsdell did but
know it, we have been taught to look
suspiciously upon any man who is will
10 to go to the Pennsylvania Legis
lature. Mr.. Ramsdell insisted upon
being called "a carpetbagger." We
have no objection to it in the world.
Carpet-baggers are fond Of offiees-so
is Mr.. Ramsdell He was hardly
warm in his nest in Virginia before he
got the negroes of his section to elect
him to the Legislature-and now he
IS laboring with might and main to be
Lieutenant-Governor Of the State.
Mr.. Ramsdell was followed by Judge
Fultz, who seeing he could not defend
his own party, tried flank movement
in the shape of all attack upon the old
Democratic party. Well, it is said he
is right good lawyer. 1t can with
truth be said he is no politician, and
never made for stump orator. We
presume he never studied politics
His deficiency in regard to political
history demonstrated that fact. How
ever, he worried through a speech OF
one hour, and looked as if he was glad
he was done.
Colonel Withers replied to both
speeches in a speech of an hour and
half. His blows were terrific He not
only got his assailants down, but he
utterly annihilated them They want
ed to get away, but Withers held them
while he inflicted blow after blow upon
them. We have heard a great many
political discussions, and we have wit
messed great many defeats Oh the
stump, but the excoriation which With
ers gave Ramsdell & Co., on Monday
last, exceeded anything we have ever
heard He peeled, skinned, crashed,
scalped, dissected, squelched the concern
so completely that RamsdelE actually
seemed to forget where he lived. The
large audience present gave evidence
OF their appreciation Of Withers and
the way he did his work Cheer after
cheer followed his giant blows, and
when he closed, the whole crowd Were
filled with enthusiasm for Kemper,
Withers and Daniel.
1t was a great triumph for Withers
and our cause. His speech has kin
died the fires which were wont to burn
and glow in days Of yore; and we feel
satisfied cid Rockingham will roll up
such majority for our ticket as will
turn the face Of Radicalism pale.-Rock-
Snghana Register.