The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-05-18
Speaking at the Court House.

OV6akluS DIT HlG VOuIt k1Vu6C'
The same crowd that had been present at thu
Court House for two Saturday evenings pre-
yions, assembled again OH last Saturday even
Ing. to be harangued on the municipal cleo
ton. Major Marshall Hanger, was called tt
the chair. In acknowledging the compliment
Major Hanger, spoke briefly on the gratif1ca
ton the late primary meeting had caused him
and the duty of the Conservatives in the prem
ises. Primary elections, he said. though
often Objectionable, were preferable to mas
meetings, and the ticket nominated by the las
election should receive the support OF the Con
sentative voters of Staunton.
| Against the present incumbent of the may
orally, as man, he had nothing to say. HI
was Intelligent, capable and had well discharg
ed the duties of the position, but he was Re
publican. and that was objection enough. Te
elect a Republican, would have all injurious
effect on the prospects Of the Democratic party
in the approaching national election, and we
have reached that crisis in the political history
of the country, when the Democratic party
must present solid front. in opposition to the
present administration.
JUDGE A. B. COCHRAN
followed Major Hanger, and said that
he had at first been opposed to the primary
election. but when the majority Of the Con-
sentative party had signifcd its approval, he
no longer hesitated what course to pursue.
He would follow the Conservative party to any
extremes, right or ,orong, and he would follow
Virginia # he kneso 1T acould lead to perdition.
In the ranks of those opposed to the primary,
were men who where his personal friends, and
he deprecated the policy of denouncing all
who refused to ally themselves with the
present movement as Radicals. Try to per-
suade them to join tile Conservative move
ment, but do not try to drive them. There is
danger that the State may be carried by the
Republicans at the next general election, and
the Conservatives should stand united.
The next speaker was
GEN. JOHN ECIIOIs.
In obedience to the voice of the Conserva-
tive party, he had come to unite with others
ir giving expression to his conception of duty.
He had not been present when the primary
election was determined upon, but he was
now in full accord with the movement.
We are here to fight the old battle again.
The same enemy confronts lis. The black CO.
horts are drawn up in solid array, and we
must again rout them.
AS to Mr.. Bickle, himself. he had not word
to say against him. Mr.. Bickle was his per-
sonal friend, and he had been in a position to
know, that no man had been more generous in
lending helping hand to the struggling,
than the present mayor. But personal
obligations should never be allowed to take
precedence of party fealty, and If Mr.. Bickle
is a heightened gentleman, he will not ask a
man to vote against his party.
He would say to young men, ''Do your duty,
but do it pleasantly. Like the soldiers OF Vir-
ginia, go into the fight with laugh, but come
out of it with cheer" While speaking Of
duty he was reminded of story of the First
Napoleon. After emerging FROM battle,
when the roll was called, especially of the Old
Guard, it was customary when no response
was given to name, for comrade to step
forward, salute and say ''tlied OIL the field OF
SlOIy ftIlu OuGys AlGCT tIC tlCCtiOu lCL UcdIu
be the only apology for absence.
DIR. A. NJ. FAUNTLEROY
then spoke. The issue had already been
made. It was the black man against the
white, and it was incumbent upon tho Con-
sentative party to unite. Shall it be said that
Stanton, the great educational centre, has
been turned over to the Republicans? If such
news goes abroad it would do incalculable in
jury to the city, and to the Conservative
party.
DR.. Fauntleroy was followed by Captain
James Bumgardner, Jr., Col. j. H. Skinner.
Major L. c. Elder and Charles Grattan, all of
whom made speeches in the same strain as the
above appealing to party prejudice, and
counseling united effort ON the part of the
Conses vatives.