Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-06-15
Tie ssWhat.iSsLt.n

Among the multidinous animals
found in the forests of Africa, there is
one Of nondescript character resem-
bling man. which no naturalist has ever
been able to classify; and for the want
of name, it is known as the what
Is-It.n We have seen this animal I'M
der the canvass Of menagerie, and it is
a curious creature to look upon. It is
not an ourang outang. 1t is not 60
riIIa, 1t is not monkey. 1t is not
man. 1t is strange, contradictory
compound; and as yet it can only be
known to the most learned Darwinian
scientist as the "What-Is-It."
In Virginia there have recently ap
peared in the field of parties quite 8
humber of political "What-Is-Its."
And they, too, are very queer things to
look upon. They have some of the
| features of Democrat; some of the
| characteristics of a Republican and
something of the voice and manner of
Readjuster. And yet this Seventh Of
July man, as we will call him, for the
want of better name, is certainly a
very singular looking Democrat. He
would hardly pass muster, either, as a
genuine Republican. And as to his be-
| ing good Readjuster-that is difficult
| to reconcile with the fact that he shows
a strong leaning to strong government,
represented in the strong arm of pro-
| fesssional soldier, who would crush out
readjustnlent as he would grind the
/! head of snake under his heel. This
SeventA-of-July man IS, in fact, as
much Of nondescfipt: IS the wv hat-ls-
It."
The Seventh. of.yuly man Was. few
| 70 af on aloatOr0l II aLC Hf
in Virginia composed partly Of Demo-
Gratis and partly of Republicans. Aftel
the Stanton convention, where the
door was slammed in his face, and little
piece of his nose taken off, he began to
talk again about an independent, I'M
pledged, Readiuster electoral ticket. "
81 And since the adjournment Of tie
Democratic convention st Richmond
, two weeks ago, he has very bad cold
and is whispering around that perhaps
he NAV support the Cincinnati nominee
after all: but if he does that he will dc
: il by voting for another set of electors
to be selected to suit himself, for the oc-
> casion. Now, if that sort of Demo
cratic Republican Readjuster is not ar
odd fish in the waters of old Virginia
we must cease to wonder at the "What
Is-It."
The truth is, the Seventh -Sf-s uly
msu has made a serious mistake in hi:
>, estimate of the common sense Of the
masses of the Virginia people. He has
tried his jugglery, and it has failed mos
! signally. The people are not SO easily
t h9mbugged as he thought they woull
+ be. And now tie audience is laughing
/, at the juggler; and the Seventh, of-July
e man is hunting for hole t.aat be may
creep through it. This political "Ng That
!, Is-It" in Our State is as supple as TIL
4 homeless man ia 2 circus he can turn
his head around like IN owl he has hon
eyed words and sweet smiles at all tine
: for the ''dear people and his eye for OF
0 fee is as keen as O hawks; and his SO
D petite for the spoiIs is as ravepous SO ;
: VOLTS. Let him give up his tricks, ant
e come out, like a freeman of Virginia. il
+ support of the Democratic electors.
3 Who would be a "What Is-It ?"-
i Rockingham Register.