The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-12-30

amor OF certain DOLdS.s lie SAID ne naQ at on
time been guarantor of a certain amount o
bends, but anybody who wanted to learn thu
truth might have ascertaineo by reference t.
the Office Of the Circuit Court, that much tn,
larger portion of his obligation had been pait
off before he went into the Legislature, and tho
balance had been paid off in full i'll October
1874. He said he had also heard that he was
large NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. it was no
true. He had bought a few to enable him tt
pay his taxes with the coupons, but he had no
yet been able to acquire half enough to effec
that object.
1t had also been said that he was in favor O.
high taxes and all that sort of thing. All he
could say was that he paid, annually, over $500 o
taxes into the State Treasury, and he imagined
he would be rs unwilling to see his burthen
increased, as most men.
Mr. Stuart alverted to She secret combina
ton by which he had been oyerslaughed in thu
Convention. He had BEEN mortified by the
action of the Convention, but their judgment
had, without any agency Of his, been reversed
by the people.
He was sorry that he did not enjoy the gooj
opinion of those who had 'srepudtated" him
and sought to disparage him in public estinla-
ton.
But he had the proud consciousness Of know
ing that he had received the highest marks OF
confidence from men whose opinions were
worth quite as much as those OF certain members
of the Convention.
He s., he was not in the habit of referring
to personal matters, but rs the effort had been
made to disparage him, he felt justified in self
defence, in referring to two or three incidents
of a complimentary character.
He chen referred to a letter from Mr.. Benia-
min, Secretary of State of the Confederate
States, dated 2SJh March, '64, inviting him
(Mr. S. to Richmond to confer with President
Davis on a matter Of so much delicacy that it
caull not be the subject of correspondence
that he had gone to kichnond, where he was
rendered the position OF Diplomatic agent. to
establish a migratory court along thc northern
frontier. with a view to strengthen the peace
acknowledgements had voted So, 100000 for
secret service fund; this sum was to be subject
to his draft, and he was to render no detailed
account. with vouchers, but a mere certificate
on honor, that he had discussed it for the best
OF the Confederacy. Domestic reasons COM
PEELED him to decline.
After passing a high eulo2y on Gen. Lee,
Mr.. S. referred TO the trust, reposed by Gen.
Lee in him, by contiding to him the delicate
and responsible duty of preparing the draft of
reply to the political letter which en-. Rose
Grams had written to Gen. Lee.
Finally, after paying, tribute to the muni6-
cence of the late George Peabody, in giving
over four millions Of dollars to aid in educa-
ting the people OF all classes in the Southern
States, he referred to the distinguished men
who had been designated as trustees to admin
lister the fund. Among these were the Presi-
dent Of the United States, Secretary Fish, Bish
CD McIvane, Hon. VIM. NJ. Evarts, Gov. Win
tIrop, Gov Clifford, Gov. Graham, Gov! Akin,
Admiral F;rIagut and others Fourye ago
Admiral Farragtt died, and the record of the
board showed that Mr.. S. had been by the
Unanimous vot,. of these illus-rous men, cho-
sen the successor Of Admiral Farragut.
He must confess that when he looked over
the names OF these great men who had thus
honored him, he felt somewhat consoled for the
loss OF the good opinion OF some members Of
the convention
Mr. Stuart, in conclusion, apologized for hay
ing detained the people standing so long
There were many other topics which he mad
proposed to discuss If they could have had the
lse Of the Court house, but he could not tax
Gheir kindness further.
He had but one word more to say. He had
aot expected or desired to be candidate for
che Legislature. It would involve large sac
gifce Of comfort aud pecunary interest to leave
ZONE. But he had been so earnestly impor-
5nned, by so many of our best men, from all
quarters Of the county, that he could not re-
fuse. The people now understood his views,
and if til ey approved them and chose to elect
aim, he would serve them to the best of his
utility.
MR.. oPIE's REMARKS.
Capt. J. q. Opic followed Slr. Stuart in
brief speech, promising to address the people
1t various places i'll the county before the day
If election. He stated that it was not his in
-;,.- r,aalea -llliiist -1'~--.'''.~"poa any
nan, nor promote his own claims by defAnaine
The character Of others. He himself, had been
l;lndared, and he knew how it was to rest I'M
Ter false imputatons. He, however, should
speak plainly ON what he had to say. He pro
seeded to vindicate the fairness Of the Conven-
ion that nominated him previous to the No
getnber election, and claimed that lie was still
The regular nominee Of the Conservative party.
he appealed to the Conservative party of the
county to give him a cordial support, as it was
the only way to preserve the organization OF
5he party and prepare it for the important
Presidential contest Of 1876. He assailed Mr..
Stuart as a ..Rasl:cal in disguise" and asserted
that it was not the first tiile that gentleman
had proved untrue to the Conservative party
In 1862 he authorized his name to be used III
the HarrisonI urg Convention as 4cantlidats5
for the nomination for Congress. He was.
feated, and Hon. Jno. Il. IIarrisswas the 49,
eessiul opponent Mr.. Stuart refused s s.,s
port the nominee and used his intl$en9 ses s s
ther the interests of the Aadepends aa,,;
date, Col. Corbin Reynolds, JUS III mn "a
fused to vote for the nomineeS fIas fs.,s,v van
lion in the recent election. q 80 ~ u 'o''
Capt. Ope dissented FROM ri, stu.rt,s views
If the financial sobligatjs ,,s and condition of
Virginia. lie express a lie opl,iion that viz
gnia was bound foFsE ,e Dart 81 he public debt
'sslgleu - Z esey Virginia. rs that State had
lt Commissioners to
s.ose NE Vilginia to adjust the respective
MY rs oil tile two States, and he did not
eH.se NAT West Virginia would assume any
poftio,o Of tile debt. He asserted that to adopt
Iiie osgicy of Mr.. Stuart and execute the pro-
5 Of the funding bill would compel Vrg in
10 -, y double the present rate of taxation, and
Fed the people if they were prepared to as
ame that burthen. He thought not, for they
slready had US much as they could bear. He
was opposed to Reputation, but i'll favor OF an
equitable compromise with the bondhoders,
the only rational method to meet the ques-
lion.
Mr.. Opie interspersed his remarks with sew
eral anecdotes, and closed by saying that he
would stump the county and give his views
more fully on public questions in the progress
Of the canvass. He again appealed to the Con-
sentative party to rally to him as its recog
nized standard-bearer, and thus maintain the
organization aud defeat the purposes OF the
Radical party.
COUNTY CoURT.-The County Court for
Augusta county, Judge Hentlren presiding,
con n,ence1 ifs session On Monday. The fol-