National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-09-29
VIRGINIA.
OLD TIMES-MR. SENER'S PROSPECTS
ErnDn

Correspondence of the National Republican
FALMOUTH, VA, September d, 1874.
This Village, at the head Of tide-Water on the
RsppahAnnock river, was the centre of active
military operations from the fall of 1862 until after
the battle Of the Wilderness, where Grant pro-
posed ito fight it out on this line" Many q war
worn veteran, when "hghting over his battles
again. will call to mind the picket duty per-
formed between this place and the Lacey
House, +" known in old times as Chatham" the
residence Of Judge Coulter.
stranger visiting this dilapidated old town,
at this time, would hardly think it was once
commercial mart Of much Importance; that mer-
chant princes did business and resided within
its limits. Bazel: Gordon, whose powdered
hair, gold spectaeles and scrupulously neat black
suit is still we'll remembered by the old residents
was the chief Of these princes. Mr.. Gordon was
Seotehman, and settled in Falmouth more than
half a century ago. By his sterling integrity and
extensive commercial transactions he accumu-
lated and bequeathed to his heirs over two mil
lion dollars. Among the merchants of note in
this place, twenty-five years ago, we're: J. B.
Ficklen, Duff Green, Murray Forbes, VIM. q.
Beale, VIM. Brooke, Thos. Sect, J. NJ. O'Bannon,
James Coon, George Latham, Mark Harding and
q host of 'sman fry" not one Of whom are now
in business, nor is there respectable store in the
place. At the time referred to two large -four
ing mills and two cotton factories gave constant
employment to hundreds OF persons. Now the
only manufacturing carried on is Q cotton mill,
owned and operated by Duff Green, son Of the
prominent citizen referred to above. Instead Of
the noisy hum Of industry desth-like silence
prevails, broken only when candidates for ONCE
become excited, and their constituents are filled
with "tangle-foOt."
80 land Of the beautiful,
How art the mighty fallen
Yesterday a monarch, to-day a slaye.''
The prominent people Of this village in old
times were Wings, and by their energy and infiu-
ence all were prosperous. Now they are gone,
their children generally are scattered, aRd what
few remain are mourners over the "lost cause"
This change from prosperity to poverty has been
brought about by the Democratic party; and yet
infatuated are the people that they cannot dis
cover the monster that is destroying them. They
sigh for the old times, and wonder why they have
degenerated, but if you undertake to explain the
cause they exelaim 'ENo, it's not that; it's the
d-n niggers." The fault is never with them, and
they still as blindly follow their Ale-leaders as
they did before and during the rebellion. Twas
much surprised, however, to ind in this hot-bed
of Democracy that Sener, the present representa-
tive in Congress from this district and candidate
for reelection, has 50 many friends. He is gain
ing popularity daily, and if there is no reaction
between this time and election day he will be re-
turned by an increased majority. In every tilt he
has had with Douglas, the Democratic candidate,
he has discounted his adversary and proved him
self q champion able to defend the principles Of
his party and worthy the confidence Of HIS friends.
It Is not asserting toomuch to say that Mr.. Sener
in point Of ability is the peer of any man who has
heretofore represented the district, but as local
representative he has never had superior. For
a new man in 8 new place he has made record
Of which his constituents should be proud. His
return 10 Congress is a settled fact.
Yours STAFFORD,