The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-07-18
ROCKINGHAM READJUsTERs.

ROCKINGHAM READJUSTERS.
THE MEETING ON MONDAY-THE CON-
GREssIoNAL CONVENTION ovERwHELM-
INGLY REPUDIATED-HAR CORNER
ED-THE PARLoR COMMITTEES IN HIGH
FEATHER, AND A GAY OLD lime GENER-
ALLY.
The proceedings OF the meeting CT the Re-
adjusters of Rockingham county, appointed
to be held in Harrisonburg, on Monday last,
and the resolutions adopted, will be found in
another column.
1t was an occasion OF no ordinary moment
in the politics OF the Valley. 1t was the first
time for many years, when the People, TAX
to assert their honest opinions and declare
their. adhesion to a great principle of State
policy, even if defiance of caucus machinery
had to be invoked to carry into effect that
patriotic purpose. An address had been is
sued by the Central Committee of the Re
adJusters of Rockingham known as the "?ar-
lor Committee" the week previous pub
lished elsewhere in the VIRGINIAN) to the
friends of that interest in that county and
this congressional district, boldly announc-
ing their belief that there existed no neces-
sity for the Convention to meet in Stanton
on the LIST of August, to nominate candi-
date for Congress, and asking the people to
assemble in Harrisonburg on the 18th to give
expression to their convictions on that par
ticular point, especially. Although but very
little time interviewed between the publica-
ton OF the address and the day appointed
for the meeting, large number of the citi
zens of the county assembled in Harrison
burg last Monday (court-day), many of them
to respond to the call, and others to attend
the meeting and watch the developments.
At noon Judge O'Ferrall adjourned court
for few hours, and gave his consent for the
meeting to occupy that building until the
re-assembling of the court. In very short
time the spacious courtroom was filled, on
the floor and in the gallery. The meeting
was called to order by Capt. NJ. NJ. Sibert,
chairman OF the Central Committee OF Read
justers the Parlor Committee), and on his
motion DIR. G. W. Kemper was called to
preside. John II. Wartmann, Oh motion of
j. ID. Price, was made secretary.
Capt. Paul, after calls from the audience,
appeared upon the platform in front Of the
bench, and addressed the large AUDIENCE
lie reviewed the history Of the readjusters'
movement in Rockingham county, its grad
ual growth in the State and present strength );
and then proceeded to discuss with marked
ability and power the interests at stake and
the duty Of the people. During his remarks
he criticised Governor Holiday with consid-
cradle severity: declaring that he stood with
his feet upon the necks OF the people, defy
ing their authority and insulting their majes-
ty. He approached then the direct business
before the meeting-the Staunton conven-
ton. He announced the position that there
was no necessity for that assemblage-that
it was called in the interest of the finders
that the party was controlled and directed
by the Richmond ring of funders. and that
it was the duty of the people to assert their
own authority and dignity by entering SOL
emn protest against the party machinery
which had beenwielGed for their enslavement.
The great question Of the hour was the State
debt. 1t loomed up above all others, and
came directly to the hearths and homes OF
the people. He was opposed to recognizing
the authority which called the District Con-
vention, and hoped it would be the pleasure
OF the meeting to adopt q resolution declin-
ing to participate either in the primary
meetings or the Convention.
| I'VE did not take notes OF the speech OF
Capt Paul, or indeed of any OF the proceed
ings, and therefore do not pretend to give
his language or the exact line OF argument.
The speech was well digested and arranged,
and delivered with great force and elfect.l
When Capt. Paul took his scat, there were
calls for Judge Harris and Capt. Riddleber-
ger. Judge Harris arose and commenced
his remarks by reference to Federal affairs,
and more particularly the financial question.
We have not much patience with the Judges
financial theories, as developed in his recent
speech in Congress, and partly repeated on
this occasion. We thought it entirely inop-
perfume for him to attempt to delude the peo-
pie with his wild notions about resumption
and the alleged effect it was having upon the
country nor did we think it in place for
him to denouncc Secretary Sherman as he
did, inasmucll as there was no one present
privileged to parry the assault or confront
the views advanced. However, the people
were not impressed with anything introduced
not germanc to the object of the meeting.
and we doubt if there were half dozen who
remembered two minutes afterwards what
was said on this point
After the Judge had Briefly reviewed his
services in Congress, without touching on
the Potter investigation, however, and stat
ing the action Of Congress on the financial
question, he came down to home matters
He stated that while he did not recognize
the pertinency OF the State debt question in
q canvass for Congress, as 4 Virginan he
had no opinion to conceal upon any public
issues affecting the welfare of the State. He
would favor any fair, just and equitable re-
adjustment of the State debt-he had never
approved the funding bill-regarded it as a
great political crime, conceived in sin,
brought forth in fraud, and consummated
by bribery and corruption. There was some
of the truest and ablest of |irginia's sons in
the Legislature which passed that bill, and
there was also purchasable material OF exotic
growth there, and it was by the corruption
OF this latter element that the bill was pass
ed. lille neglected to state who were par
ties to that corruption, or how these able
and pure men voted. Those who were re-
garded as the ablest supported the funding
bill, and some of the present leaders OF the
conservative party in Richmond and the most
blatant guardians Of the estates HONOR
are known to have had q hand in the bribery
and corruption charged. But this is old.l-
He further stated that so long as he was del
egated to represent the people Of Virginia in
Congress, he would uphold the dignity and
sovereignty of the State, and il she deter
miEed to pay all Of the debt, Or half. or none