The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-07-18
STANTON. VIRGINIA. JULY Is. 1878.

| ing. There are many family relics IN Ine
house, all OF which remain just as the great
Captain left them. Most of the rooms in
the mansion have been furnished by the
States after which they are named, as for
instance s'rhe Virginia Room,' "Ihe
Maryland ROOM" &c., &c. The room oc-
cupied by General Lafayette when on visit
to George Washington is in excellent keep
ing. and remains just as prepared for his re-
ception by his host and friend Facing the
Potomac on the second floor, is the room in
which the great Chieftain passed away from
earth. just over it,inI tliaehrd story or attic,
is small, low, but richl furnished room
chosen by Mrs. Washington after the death
| of the General, as her room, that she might
gaze at will from its only window upon the
tomb of her departed husband. In this she
passed three weary years, when her spirit
winged its way to meet her loved far be-
yond the blue sky where their union was
made perfect. The Mt. Vernon estate is
titled and kept in order by colored servants,
whose ancestors were owned by Washing
ton. TIE water used by visitors is drawn
from the same well that quenched the thirst
of Washington and Lafayette, and is shaded
by trees planted by George Washington.
While Oh this pilgrimage to Mt. Vernon,
met with quite a large number of gentlemen
from the First Congressional district of Vir-
ginia, and feeling some interest as to its po-
litcal status: 1 made many inquiries as to
who will probably be the man who will rep
resent that district in the next Congress
and there was general and outspcken
preference among these gentlemen, among
whom were Democrats and Republicans. in
favor of the HoE. James Z. Sener as the man
for the crisis. Ihad already learned from
most respectable Republican sources that
Mr.. Sener is the universal choice Of that
party. but was not prepared for this par
TALLY from Democratic sources. 1t argues
most favorably as showing the appreciation
of the efforts of the man who tried to serve
his State and people without political bias.
These gentlemen seemed to fear that Mr..
Sener would not be willing to enter the
field of politics again, and they expressed a
determination to call upon him in {. body,
and ask to be allowed to use his name in the
approaching campaign. do not really
know Sener's feelings in the matter, but I
know the man, and I know he possesses the
kind Of patriotism which will prompt him to
yield to such partial expression of prefer
ence on the part of his fellow citizens, even
at the sacrifice Of his personal interests. 1t
is quite natural for the people of that dis
trict to have a preference for Mr.. Sener on
account of his services to them in former
Congress, and the ability and fidelity he dis
played in promoting the interest of his State,
and particularly his district. His record
while member Ct the 43rd Congr ess, shows
from his first entrance into that body, his
field of labor was not circumscribed by State
limits, or by party caucuses. Whenever any
measure was introduced in the House of
Representatives, of which he was mem
mer, having for its object the general !
good of the people, he unhesitatingly gave
such measures his support without ever
stopping to inquire which party gave the m
paternity. It was Mr.. Sener's influence |
with the business and representative men of |
the country that enabled him to secure for
his own district such liberal appropri ations |
in the expenditure OF which, so many needy |
aud deserving persons were enabled to OBJ. |
tain employment, while not in a solitary in |
stance did he ever go out Of his district to
dispense patronage. I have frequently |
heard the remark, by Hon. Gentlemen who |
served in the same Congress with Mr.. |
Sener, and who were opposed to him in |
politics, that no member of the House was |
more strenuous to secure honest govern
ment, or showed more unsparing hostility to |
corruption than Mr.. Sener, and none more
conspicuous in advocating and voting for |
all legislation looking to necessary reform.
This voluntary admission coming from Mr..
Sener's opponent, is a tribute to his worth |
as the peoples representative, more endur-
ing than marble. If the next Congress |
were composed of such men as Mr.. Sener,
confidence would soon be restored and |
prosperity would follow. The great Ia boring
masses of the country could contemplate |
the course of such man with pride and |
pleasure Ii there was one quality which |
distinguished Mr.. Sener as a member of |
Congress it was his independence of judy
ment and action, not defiance of the
wishes of the people who elected him, but |
his manly, steady adherence to principle |
through sunshine and storm. The love of
popularity never led him into the betrayal
of his trust. That temptation, by availing
members Of Congress suddenly grow very
rich, Mr.. Sener spurned with manliness
of scorn which should commend him to the
support Of every man Of every party who
loves good, honest government for the peo
pile. Mr.. Sener is AN honest, upright, and
talented man. Ills experience and practical
knowledge with regard to State and gener-
al administration OF public affairs, are equal
if not superior to any man in his State, while
this honest record as a public man emit
of party. 1t is a fact admitted on all sides
that painful crises is upon US, and that
the clouds that betoken the storm have
been growing for the last two years, and
that no efforts have been made by the peo-
pies representatives in Congress to stay
this wave OF approaching desolation. The
peoples money been voted away with reck-
less prodigacy without regard to the peoples
burdens, and it is time now for the Cypress
ed to call halt. The servants of the peo-
pie have become their masters and are
grinding them under despotsm. Surely
there must be redress somewhere for the
suffering, aud relief can only come through
the men who legislate for the people. 1t is
manifestly true that the policy of Congress
sional legislation for the last three years
past has been in favor Of the wealthy classes
at the expense of the many. Hence It's pro-
lection of banks and corporations of every
kind, proclaiming or perpetuating the dog
ma that privileges secured under charters
are vested rights, which cannot be repealed
however onerOlls or burdensome thew NAV