The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-07-27


as though it was a funeral. and then again the
shout went up, Harris, Harris. 1t was on the
programme, however, that Capt Paul, who
was invited and Harris was not, should next
appear on the stage, and Harris bowed him to
the stand and Gen. Echols introduced him.
This gentleman was amazed at the thought of
addressing an audience which had been accus-
toned to listen to statesmen and orators, but
he went in. and after getting his blood some.
what warmed up, lanted about thieves. robbers,
corruptions, Ofiice-holders. and the glowing
prospect OF reform promised by the election
OF the pal of Tweed. and the proteoe of Nor
rissey and John Kelley. After tearing pas
sion to tatters, Capt. Paul took his seat, some
what exhausted. The audience then vocifcr-
ously called for Harris again, and that gentle
man came smiling. prancing and bowling to
the front. He was here by accident, but was
nevertheless rejoiced to see his constituents
face to face. Of course Harris had 20 idea
that there was to be Il ratification meeting, or
any other kind of demonstration. 1t was only
one OF his streaks of luck that srayitated him
to Staunton. He could not have told to save
his life, how it was that the spirit moved him
to be here on that particular dav. with such
surroundings, and were it not. we presume,
that ne is careful reader Of the VIRGINIAN,
he might not have been present. But as he
was IN the city, and in the Court House, he
concluded TO give an account of his steward
ship, too. He recounted his labors rs chair
man OF the committee OF elections, and pro-
ceeGed to explain why the people of Virginia
were so poor, and why it was they were drain
ed to enrich the capitalists and manufacturers
OF the North. IL was the vicious legislation
OF Congress Oh the tariff question. While we
were fighting the battles OF the South. the
Yankees were iegislating and shaping laws to
benefit themselves. and these laws will remain
intact until Democratic Congress and Exccv-
tive are placed in power. 1t was very clear
chat Mr.. Harris did not understand the first
principle OF political economy, nor was he iu-
clined, If he knew how, to trace effect to cause
Il is not the tariff that is affecting and biohtne
virginia. 1t IS the miserable, proscriptiye par
tizan spirit OF the party to which Mir. Harris
belongs. virginia has all the natural clements
to become The greatest manufacturing section
on the continent. We have the minerals the
water power, the timber, and the free and
speedy access to the cotton growing region.
what we want is the capital and enterprise Of
Inc Northern people to utilize all these para
mount advantages. They will not come here
because the political opinions and rights of
Their owners are not respected The great
mass OF the wealth OF North and East is with
Republicans. The legislation OF the State.
winch has environed the people with financial
embarrassment too huge to be overcome; the
spirit OF sectional animositv that crons ont
Ill Venomous rancor whenever ar election is to
be held; the denunciation of every man who
recognizes the obligations of amnesty and the
Dinaing force OF the Constitution and laws in al
Chelf amplitude; and the designation of those
10 Tue manner born who believe it right and
proper TO support the Republican party as the
organization most directly identified With the
spirit and intent OF the fundamental and
statute laws, as scalawags and traitors to their
sectlon-these are the causes which contribute
TO the lmpoverishment OF the State, supple
mented by the idleness and slotl of the rising
generation-and keep away Intelligent enter
prise and capital. 1t is not the tariff, for Vir-
glna, were she what she ought to be and what
''carpet-baegers" would help to make her, if
they could stay here with self-respect, would
De more interested in that kind OF legislation
than New England. Capital to work our coal
and iron fields. to utilize our water power, to
turn into fabrics our eNhaustless TIMBER would
eagerly seek Investments, were political cam
paigns conducted upon rational ideas. and an
peals not made to sectional and race preiudices
The reckless State legislation and partizan
prescription have been the causes of the absence
OF capital, the comparative meagreness of the
circulating medium, the low price of our lands
and the prOstration of our industries. The tariff
has nothing to do with it, but just such political
demagognes as Mr.. Harris. and the men who ap-
peared upon the stand to address the people on
last Monday. are paralizing the State and
Keeping the people down in the slough of
despond.
Gen. Echos followed Mr.. Harris. with tbe
shallow and jesuitical defamation OF ..Tilden.
Hendricks and Reform y The deception and
cheat were too transparent to delude even an
audience in sympathy with the fraud. Gen.
Echols wanted srcform' Recommendations
here-at home, to commence this fall. and in
this connection alluded to the s'salarv grab.''
with Harris right at his elbow. If was an
nnmannerly thrust, for Harris was here by acci
dent-was a Way-faring stranger, and did not
propose to enter into u discussion CT any of the
incidents of Democratic history. The meeting
was gotten up to denounce Radicals and Rad
lcal officials, and not to remind any Democrat
that ne needed reform. Harris will pay Echols
back Tor that inuendo, and will want to know
from him, the first good opportunity presented,
something about his true lnwardness.'
Loud calls for Shelley, Shelley, came up
from the audience, as Gen. Echols retired, but
the Judge shook his head, and Col. Skinner
marched out, and when he approached the
stand there was call for him. We do not
think Col. Skinner understood it. 1t was, to
all appearances, a part of the programme that
he should follow Gen. Echols, and being in
tently engaged arranging his little piece in his
mind, he did not distinctly hear the cries for
Shelley when he arose to his feet and marched
to the stand. He explained when he opened.
and then very inopportunely complimented
himself by luggingin the recent municipal cleo
ton in Stanton. That was a very small bust
ness, butit filled SINNERS ambition anG hence
he could not suppress little gush about it, We
did not hear his remarks through. but under
stood he alluded to the postmaster at Staun-
ton as one of the Central Committe OF the Re-
publican party of Virginia, in connection with
the statement that the Republican party was
composed OF 10000 colored voters and cicht
white voters, the latter holding the
offices and the former doing the voting. Well.
what of it? Col. Skinner has been an office
seeker ever stree we knew him. He accidents
ly slipped into the Legislature once, and at
another time was nominated for Congress. but
was defeated by Harris. And Notwithstanding
his seeking, this is all the success he has met
with. Did he not know that he was addressing
about twenty candidates for the post-office
here in the Court House, who are actively
1uarreling and wranglng abont it, contingent
On Tilden's election? Did he not know that
lmong his hearers, all good conservatives, we
presume, there were at least fifty Who were
willing to be good Republicans for the position
II storekeeper in the Internal Revenue SER
7lce? Did he not know that at least two thirds |
II the ranting demagogucs in Virginia could
De purchased now with the appointment to {.
thousand dollar office each?
We have, as journalist, been in political
life for over twenty-five years. During that
entire time, we do not remember to have heard |
more pure demagogueism and fustian than we
istened to last Monday. There was not a |