The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-08-29
The Three Graces.

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CONGRESS.
Monday last was County Court day, and
very large number Of countymen were i'll
town. Whether the attraction was the
abundant watermelon supply. pressing
business or the prospect Of witnessing po-
litical wool gathering, we will not attempt
to determine, but if the magnetic power
was lodged in the latter, there was wide
spread disappointment, for each of the can
didates was as amiable as a toothless cat,
and all stood upon pretty much the same
platform. And there was disappointment,
for when it was announced that all three Of
the would-be congressman would enlighten
the populace on one and the same day, ex-
pectation ran high and the sovereigns reveled
in the bllssful anticipation of regular old
time rough and tumble combat. But when,
after smiling sweetly on one another, the
candidates only ventured on two or three
delicate and harmless little side thrusts, a
feeling of misplaced confidence overlook the
crowd, and it didn't seem to care which
way the wind blew. So far as any demon
stration was concerned it was impossible to
decide upon the favorite, for each seemed
to receive his ratable share of the enthu.
siasm. and there wasn't any great amount
either. 1t looked very much to an uninter-
ested spectator as if such thing as person.
al preference didn't abound with any degree
Of profusion, and when care-worn indi-
vidual declared that he ''ddn't know wheth-
er to vote for all or none,' he expressed
what might have been termed the general
sentiment. Here and there little knous
were gathered carelessly discussing the can
vass, but there was an entire absence OF that
mysterious whispering and familiar lapel
caressing which have heretofore distinguished
the manipulations of the small caucus, and
if the friends of the different candidates felt
much interest in their particular favorites,
they concealed it with fortitude worthy of
the traditional Spartan youth.
Parson Massey was on the ground early
in the action-having arrived on Saturdays
neon train. Monday morning he was around
bright and CHEEKY with smile and pleas
ant word for everyone, and an anxious look
for his Children who were that day to
rise up against him. 1t was rumored that
indisposition would prevent Judge Harris
from being present, but the Judge dropped
in before the trains arrived, and pretty soon
Paul put in an appearance with his long
duster and bevy of admirers. Each was
occupied for an hour or two in the acoustic
mary handshaking, but they didn't have to
wait long, for the Courthouse was given
over at II O'Clock and the circus commenced.
1t was arranged that each should occupy
just one hour, and no time for rejoinder
was allowed. Paul was to lead off, and by
this arrangement was placed at a consider
able disadvantage. His ready rebound,
quick wit. and unusual felicity Of repartee
are among his strong points, if not his forte,
and. although he always comes CALAMITY to
to the front, his cross-fi as a general thing
is most to be dreaded by his opponents and
enjoyed by the crowd. When he came for
ward the large audience cheered indiscrimi-
nately and the same courtesy was impartial
ly extended to each Of the others.
PAUL's SPEECH.
In commencing, Mr.. Paul alluded to his
former speech at the July court. His mis-
sion then was to vindicate and help on the
cause of readjustment. He was not can
didate for Congress then, but now he had
determined to take his chances in the race.
He had been told to be cautious how he
talked to Stanton audience on the Sta tie
debt question, but it had never been his
practice to make different speeches in diff
precisely the same sentiments in Augusta
| that he had announced in Rockingham,
Shenandoah and other counties where he
had addressed the people. He held that a
politician had a higher duty to perform than
to pander to the taste of every community
his mission was to inculcate individuality, to
lay before the masses plain common sense
! facts, and to lead them to an honest and
fai. consid Grafton of the issues they are
called upon to decide. Into the present
canvass there enters as one and of para
mount issues the question of the State debt.
1t had been sought to be ignored, but it does
come and should come into every election
in which the right of suffrage is exercised.
This was necessary in order to disabuse the
public mind of the false impression that had
been created, to lodge there facts and the
stern incontrovertible teachings of history.
No great question has ever yet been settled
by denunciation, and all of the abuse that
has been heaped upon the re-adjusters, who
are the only ones who desire a settlement,
will not avail to swerve them from their
purpose and lessen their zeal in the cause
they have espoused.
The policy OF the re-adjusters was out
lined in what is known as the Barbour Bill,
and the speaker then proceeded to discuss
that bill, the provisions Of which are familiar
to our readers. He held that the highest
duty Of a peopl e was to preserve existence
and take care of the old, and poor and in
sane, and as to the honor of the fathers. tina:
old cry has about lost its potency. They
were not as good as we and repudiated their
, cont mental and other debts, and now il a
man makes a good speech in Eastern Vir-
ginia it is compared with Patrick Henry's
celebrated reputation speech in the Par
sons trial. He repeated his former asser.
ton about the whole weight of taxation fall
ing upon the farmer and laboring man, and
said it was easy enough for people who had
money to spend at the springs to talk about
increasing taxes, &c.
He intended to lay down his platform SC
plainly that the wayfaring man though q
fool might not err therein. He had entered
into the race. and felt that he would win
If he was beaten, better men had gone down
before him, and he would die game with the
flag still floating above him. 1t was no tint
i for shirkers, the demand now was for ar
honest, fair announcement, and he proposed
to make it. 1t has been said that the con.
gressional shoes belong by virtue of usage
to Judge Harris. Such was not the case
= They belonged to the people exclusively
and it was theirs TO bestow them on whom
they pleased. In his views OH the STATE
debt, he knew he antagonized many of hi
| MARGINAL frinn1c hut ho hal;nvnI that l.,