The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-10-21
Onward.

Republicans, the enemy are on the run.
Press them at every point. Let the battle cry
be "up Guards and at them" The glorious
news which scarcely a week ago electrified
the country, was but the presage of that still
grander result which awaits the closing of the
second day of November The great heart of
the American people has been stirred and con-
viction is demanding an audience. The dan
ger which threatened the business interests of
the country made itself manifest by the result
in Maine, and the alarm aroused the sleeping
sentry and pierced to the heart of the camp
Men unused to political armor buckled on
their battle shields and sprang to the front.
They saw that danger, serious danger, men
aced them and theirs and laggards became en-
thusiasts under the spur of self preservation
With solid front they pressed the enemy's
stronghold and captured the citadel. Against
overwhelming odds they commended and the
result was one of the most magnificent victo-
ties ever recorded in the annals of political
warfare. Our enemies and the enemies of the
nation were unable to withstand the shock of
the charge and retreat was sounded. That
retreat must be turned into rout. We must
sweep them horse, foot and dragon, in detail
and detachment. Not only must we secure
the President and both houses of Congress,
but the Solid South must be broken and Vir-
ginia placed in the triumphant column. After
this canvass we never want to hear of a Solid
South as political section. Just so long as 1t
maintains that altitude, just SO long will
Solid North be arrayed against it, and just so
long may we expect to drag along without
hope of lettering our condition.
That glorious triumph of the twelfth of Oc
tober was won by hard, ceaseless, unremitting
work. Every man was hero and did hero's
duty, and the example they have set us should
nerve every arm and inspire every breast. We
of Virginia must put our shoulder to the
wheel as we never did before. Every edge
must be made to cut, every day the record of
bonfres, and flags and parades. 1t is the silent
dropping in of the ballot that wins the day. 1t
is the earnest persistent effort of the individual
voter that makes the record. See that you
are qualified to vote and then hunt up others.
The registration closes ON Saturday next. Do
not permit any to be lett unqualified Urge
upon every man to pay his poll-tax. Unjust
and unprinciped as the law is, it must be
obeyed. 1t was enacted for the purpose of
DISTINGUISHING the poor man, but if you are a
man you will not throw away the weapon of
your manhood because your enemies have
sought to render that weapon useless. The
rather will you place it in complete order that
it's force and power may be felt by those who
design to strike blow at your rights and
your liberties. 1t is the only safeguard of your
manhood 1t elevates the humblest voter in
all this land to the peerage of its highest citi
zen. 1t places it within your power to real
ize, as you can at no other time realize, your
true position on the great plane of equal civil
and political rights Guard well the great
boom that has been bestowed upon you, lest in
the time of your sorest need, you repent in
bitterness the opportunity lost. Don't delay
until the last day. Don't wait for some one
else to pay for you. Don't allow any one
to pay for you. Say to yourself and say to
the world, II am worthy of the trust COM
mitted to me- and like man will discharge
it" Close up the ranks. Touch elbows all
along the front; be vigilant, be active, be ag
gressive, and when the second day of Novem-
Der comes let every man be at the polls. De
vote that day to your country, and when the
sun goes down, its rising again will herald the
grandest triumph of the grandest political par
txrir, oil no limit of NJ
arms then and rest not until victory crowns
our efforts-until a Waterloo has overwhelmed
our enemies.