The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-09-26
ORANGE COUNTY.

COUNTY COURT - PUBLIC MEETING -CANDI-
DATES, &c.
correspondence Of the Richmond Dspltch.l
SEPTEMBER "a, 1877.
Yesterday was our County Court-dav, and
there was large attendance Of the people.
Public notice had been given OF 4 primary
meeting to discuss the issues OF the day,
which. OF course. brought out all the politi-
clans. DR.. George s. Newman, one OF our
most popular and intelligent citizens, was
asked to preside over the meeting, and the
editors Of the county papers acted as Sccre-
taries. Colonel John Willis, a member OF
the Legislature in the better days, present
ed the paper given below rs embodying the
views OF the people, and enforced its adop--
ton in stirring speech. 1t was adopted
unanimously, after being immaterially
amended in the clause referring to the pub
lie debt. The following is the paper:
The people Of Orange county assembled
in primary meeting to take into conSidera-
ton the state OF the country, to consult
thereon, and 10 recommend such measures
as may seem to them best adapted to the
eXigencies of the times, the prosperity OF
Virginia, and the rights and liberties OF her
people, declare rs follows:
l. They regard the purity OF the elective
franchise as the great bulwark OF popular
liberty. II the votes Of free citizens be-
come matter OF bargain and sale the very
fountain OF free institutions is poisoned,
and foul and bitter must be the waters that
flow therefrom. They should therefore
guard with peculiar care this sacred fran
Chise and visit with the severest condemna-
ton any who may seek to peryert it by
bribery or in any other way.
.. They believe that the secret ballot is
the most fruitful source OF fraud and cor
ruption, and declare themselves earnestly in
favor OF the restoration OF the manly system
or the fathers, that ancient and sacred birth
right OF the people of Virginia, the right to
declare their votes with the living voice.
g. That, ratiiving the nominations and re-
affirming the platform OF the Conservative
Convention OF August 8, 1877, they believe
that by the exercise OF wise and just
economy in the administration OF the gov
crnment Virginia can meet all OF her Just
obligations without any increase OF the bur-
dens Of taxation. They therefore call upon
her public servants for such legislation as
will wisely and safely curtail the expenses
Of the civil list so that the State shall pre-
serve her good name by paying that she
owes, by living within her income, and hay
ing her fair escutcheon untarnishcd by the
stigma OF reputation.
4. They desire to reiffirm their fidelity
to the maxim, more quoted than followed
in modern days, that Eternal Vigilance Is
the price Of Liberty; and they announce
as one of the primal duties OF free people
the obligation diligently to inquire into
the principles, ability, and honesty OF all
who ask to be made their public representa-
tives.
DR.. Uricl Terrell is candidate for re-
election to the House Of Delegates, but is
making no active canvass. His course in
the last General Assembly was generally ap-
proved, and it is thought he has an easy VIC
tory before him.
Mr.. Reuben L. Gordon, son Of the late
honored General Gordon, and brother OF
William F. Gordon, late delegate from
Louisa, a sound Conservative in general
principles and a popular gentleman, is an
independent candidate for the House. lie
places himself " squarely upon the Conser-
yative PLATFORM" as he says it, but his IN
depreciation OF the financial plank is not
considered orthodox by those Of Us who be-
lieye the State can and ought to pay her
debts. The chances seem to me to be alto
gether against his election.
In Madison and Culpeper counties the
canvass for the Legislature wakes bitter.
Parker Aylor is opposed by Captain Il. D.
Twyman in Madison, and John Strother by
James Barbour in Culpeper. Reputation
is rampant in the latter county. DENNIS.