The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-09-27
Adiuster's Movement,

bred farmers of Augusta county met in the
Court house in this city and passed series
of resolutions, among which was the fol-
lowing:
9th. That we are the uncompromislng
opponents of the Funding Bill, and will favor
any policy Or movement that promises to
secure permanent and fair REIMBURSEMENT OF
the public liabilities in which our creditors
may all fare alike. and for the redemption of
which the State shall pledge. in good faith,
her taxable resources, beyond what is neces-
sary to an economic administration OF her
own government"
The men who thus started the ball were,
for the most part, plain, honest farmers
men whose capacity to successfully manage
their own business has been demonstrated
by the seycrest tests whose high character
and individual integrity were upimpeach-
able, and whose opinions upon any subject
were entitled to the most respectful consid-
Grafton. To be sure, they had not hitherto
taken an active part in politics, much less
assumed to beleaGers. They had been quietly
pursuing the even tenor OF their way, OBJ
serving the current OF events, and watching
with interest and alarm the perils which
threatened their native State; they had seen
legislature after legislature. meet, extend
its sessions to the very utmost limit OF the
law, and adjourn without affording any re-
lief to the taN-payng people; they had seen
the boosted honor" of Virginia furnished
and blackcncd and used as cloak to cover
hands that were riding her treasury they
had seen that treasury drained to its last
penny they had seen the credit of the State
hawked about from counter to counter and
made by-word and jeer; they had seen the
greatest injustice practiced towards one class
OF creditors, and the most sacred provisions
of the Constitution and solemn pledges vio-
lated to satisfy the demands of another
they had seen the obligations OF the State
accruing year after year, banking up noun
tain high, and beneath it burying the good
name and fair fame OF Virginia; and they
met together for the purpose Of doing what
soever they could to avert the impending
calamity, and devise some means OF relief.
They were honest men, and looking the diff
culties fairly and squarely in the face; the
resolution we have quoted was determined
upon as the best measure. with the lights
before them, that could be adopted.
That resolution was intended to mean
nothing in Gods world but what its reason
able construction would convey. 1t had not
the faintest tinge of reputation, and the
men who framed it were not in the habit Of
saying one thing and meaning another.
They had no designs TO conceal, no hidden
ends to subserve, no axes to grind. They
were not office seekers, and, what is more,
not the tools of oflicc-seekers but they came
from among the woodworking, tax-paying
people of Virginia, and knew how the popu-
lar pulse throbbcd and what its needs were.
No sooner was that resolution made known
to the public than the ring-masters began to
stir. At first they ridiculed the idea that
plain farmers, without the assistance of a
single member OF the elect, should attempt
| to formulate their views into resolutions.
1t was the most ludicreusly absurd thing
that had transpired for many a long day.
The bare thought was absolutely convusing,
| and it was the unanimous opinion of all
within the charmed circle that such pre-
sumption had richly mcrited the very funny
articles it evoked. That said articles would
forever extinguish all who had been unfor-
nate enough to attend the meeting. and
would exert most salutary effect for all
time to come, no one was permitted to
doubt; but, in the exercise of an overflow
| ing generosity, the utmost pity and COM
miseration were extended to the misguided
creatures who had been guilty Of the auda-
city of thinking for themselves. Strange to
say, the funny articles fell flat, and the little
granger leaven began to appear here, there
and everywhere throughout the State. Then
it was that derision gave place to fear the
handwriting on the wall became more and
more distinct, and with the cry of "rcpll-
diation," the sentrics sprang to their posts
and sounded the alarum. Sentinel shouted
to sentinel, but the masses slept on and
would not be aroused, and in sheer dcspera-
| ton the old talismanic cry Of s'party " was
raised. Never before had it proven impo.
tent; never before had it failed to rally the
clans; but it elected no response save omi.
nous muttering which carried CONSERVATION
to those who had walked them. The ring
leaders recognized then. how weak their
power was how soon it vanished when men
began to think for themselves. Year after
year they had ruled the people with a rod Of
iron; year after year they had thrust them
selves into office and laughed in their sleeve
at the dupes Of their deceit; year after year
they had been living on the labor of others,
and squandering with q lavish hand the
fruits of the laborers' toll year after year
they had dictated and received a blind ODE
dience, and now to see the sceptre passing
from their grasp, to know that the lions
skin had been penetrated and the true genus
of the animal discovered, was bitter indeed
Blu. there was one more card to play, and
they played it with desperate energy. The
motives of those who had been prominent in
the new movement were impugned. To
them was ascribed the desire for Office, and
with reckless disregard of truth, not only
their motive, but their characters were as.
sailed. 1t was boldly proclaimed that theil
only incentive to action was a longing fol
public pap; that they had been actuated by
no zeal for the general good, no fear for the
threatening harm, but solely with view to
hosting themselves into popular favor. The
resolutions declaring in favor of readjust-
ment were tortured into the rankest repu-
| diation sentiments, and their trainers de.
nounced as demagogues of the deepest dye
who richly merited the severest condemna-
| ton of all honest men. But even this failed
and in spite Of the frantic contortions of the
political supple-jacks, the readjustment plar
increased in favor until it permeates the
whole State. 1t supplied the oxygen to the
flames that will consume the ring masters
relns, and melt the letters from those who
have servilely submitted to be led by infe-
riors. In every section of the State the great
body of the people is stirring. They are
commencing to do their own thinking, and
exercise their rights as men. They are dis
carding the leadership of the old masters
and asserting their claims to manhood.