The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-08-22
THE CONGRESSIONAL CANVASS.


sEY ABsENT-PAULF FOR REIMBURSEMENT
AND GREENBACKs-U EN-
DoRsED FOR CONGRESS-
Last Monday was County Court day in
Rockingham. As usual large number of
the sturdy citizens Of that grand old county
were in attendance at Harrisonburg, drawn
there by immemoral custom, as we'll as the
previous announcement that speeches would
be made by Hon. John L. Harris. Capt. Jno.
Paul, and Rev. J. E. Massey, in reference
to the Congressional canvass. The moving
mass of people who gathered in groups early
in the day, discussing the claims of the as
pirants, showed that considerable feeling
had already been excited on the subject, and
that if other portions Of the district were
comparatively quiet. a deep interest was
being manifested in Rockingham. This
ham presents two candidates, both well
known, and enjoying large share of public
confidence, and the friends of each disposed
| to make the most of their favorte's chances.
with Capt. Paul, judging from the express
sions heard on the streets and on the court
green, and the enthusiasm exhibited indi-
Gated that the developments of the canvass
would be warm and animated.
Enquiry was rapid in its spread as to the
whereabouts OF the candidates. Paul was
moving about the people, in his usual self
possessed and genial manner but nowhere
was to be seen either Harris or Massey. 1t
was socn rumored that neither would be
present, and that the promised contest Of
wits and mental resources would not come
off. Harris was detained at Rawley Springs,
under the advice of his physician, and Mas
sey had been called to an appointment at a
Baptist Association. This semi-official an
nouncement was received with some disap-
pointment, as the people seemed to be anX-
ious to hear well-defned and authoritative
announcement of the positions Of the sew
eral gentlemen, upon the issues now promi
nent in the public mind. 1t was not de-
pressing, however, as twas pretty generally
understood that Paul would enliven the oc-
casion anyhow.
About one O'Clock Judge O'Ferral ordered
a recess of court until four o'clock, and
shortly afterwards the crowd that had been
exchanging views ON the political situation,
the crops and neighborhood affairs, COM
menced moving into the Court House. When
the room was about half filled, Capt. VIM.
Gains passed to the Judges seat, called
the meeting to order, and suggested Col.
Geo. E. Deneale as chairman. This veEer-
able gentleman soon made his appearance
at the proper place, and excused himself
from making speech, and at the same time
indicated that Capt. Paul should take the
stand. That gentleman soon responded by
taking the stand-cool, collected, and with
a confident and determined expression of
| features. s,-
| At this moment Capt. B. G.. Patterson
arose and stated, that at the request of Judge
| Harris, he desired to announce that he Judge
| H. was unavoidably detained at the Springs
by direction Of his physician, and that he
hoped to be able to enter upon an active
canvass some time in September
! Capt. Paul wanted to know from Capt.
Patterson whether he was authorized to
announce Judge Harris as candidate for
Congress, to which he responded that he
had made the only announcement he was
requested to make.
Capt. Paul regretted that neither Judge
Harris nor Mr.. Massie were present-the one
detained under medical advice at Rawley,
and the other in attendance at Baptist As
ISOLATION He did not much fancy this one
horse race-against time. He preferred to
| meet his competitors, face to face before
| the people, to hear from them a distinct an
nouncement of their candidacy, and to dis
cnss the issues now engaging public atten-
ton. He was in the habit of taking decided
positions upon all questions, and saying
plainly what he wanted. He intended in
this contest to occupy no doubtful position.
He was candidate for Congress, and in
tended to remain on the track from now
until the polls closed in November Eext-
he was a candidate, with distinct and we'll
defined views, and those views he proposed
to disclose on this occasion. He would not.
however, make any allusion to his COMPETE
tors, because of their absence, and would
confine his remarks to thoughts, in his opln-
ion, pertinent to the contest.
He was Re-adjuster, because he believed
it to be right, and so proclaimed himself be-
cause he believed the people had right to
know the sentiments of those seeking their
sufrages. He believed the issue was peril
nent to this canvass, because of its moral
effect at home and abroad. There was an
eminent propriety in the nine representa-
tives in Congress from Virginia, rejecting
the sentiments Of their constituents. and
pressing demapd that the people should vim
dictate their own self.respect and properly
resent the ISLANDERS and denunciations which
have been heaped upon them by The funder
press and speakers. The present delegation
in Congress had assumed that the issue of
the State debt had no relevancy to the Con-
gressional election. Mr., Eppa Hunton had
said that it had about as much to do with
the election of a member of Congress as
had s'infant baptsm,'' but he found the
people differed with him and consequently
Mr.. Hunton has declared himself in favor
OF re-adiustment. Mr.. Ran. Tucker had
treated the question with like Indifference,
and he too had been made to feel the force
Of popular sentiment, and had in his own
way something to say on the subject. To
elect members of Congress without reference
to this vital question, was to endorse the
correctness of the assumption of the dele
CATION and the ''last dollar" men. through
out the State, that it was only a few 'sagi-
tators'' who were creating little surface
excitement about the matter. and that the
people had no sympathy with them. He did
not think q member of Congress was above
the people, nor did he think that any man
should be elected to Congress whose sent-
ments upon great State issue are not in
harmony with those of the people who elected
him. If elected he should carry his senti-
ments and proclaim them everywhere, that
it might be known that the people of Vir-
ginia intended to have the debt question