The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-09-30
A Grand Republican Demonstration

FAIRFAX Y. H., VA, Sept. 20, 1880.
Editors Valley VSaygnsan:
Gents,-Our village was on Saturday las
the scene of the largest political demon
stration ever had in the county, at least sine,
the war. The Republican Mass Meeting, Bar
bacue and Torch Light Procession was
great success.
The site selected was beautiful grove about
one-fourth of a mile from the village, and ear
ly in the morning the people began to gather
there making preparations for the grand event
which SO fal exceeded expectations that all were
astonished.
The gathering assumed large proportions
before the clubs from different parts of the
county began to arrive About II o'clock the
rush came. Most of the roads leading into the
village were filled with long lines Of men in
marching order, wagons gaily decorated filled
with people, and horsemen in regular compa-
MES, the whole interspersed with bands OF
music, flags, streamers, and banners bearing
the names Of the Republican candidates foI
President, Vice President and Congress. The
Clubs at Langly, Odericks and Vienna had
formed junction on their route, and coming
in together filled the road Ike an army. The
Club from Falls Church came in by another
and filled that also. With this club was also a
company OF mounted men who made fine
appearance. Shortly after their arrival the
Herndon Club came pouring down the pike
with near 700 people in procession. This
club is the strongest in the county and made a
grand display OF flags and decorations, notices
and devices OF all kinds, and is fairly entitled
to the prize of the occasion.
These clubs were welcomed at the grove
with canon and cheers, and when all arrived,
not less than four thousand people had assem-
bled to testify their devotion to the RepubIi-
can Marty and itc Driocip1ac
10 say that the Republicans were surprised
and astonished at this great outpour is a feeble
expression of what they felt. The Democrats
looked on in Supplied anlazement. But the
Fairfax U. IL. Club, although gratified and
elated at this great meeting, felt like the good
housewife does when the number of her guests
exceed her provision for their appetites. Our
Club had two beeVeS roasted and a proportion
ate quantity of bread, &C., not expecting more
than ten or fifteen hundred people, but here
were four or five thousand nothing more could
be done than to give them what we had, and
that was soon done for.
The meeting was called to order by Job
Chairman OF the County Commit
tee, and on motion, Spencer A. Coe. OF Falls
Church, was elected President, and a number
OF leading Republicans of the county Vice
Presidents and Secretaries
The meeting was then addressed by A. M
Clapp, editor of the National Rep,t51acaas G.
b. Raum, Commissioner of the Internal Reve-
enue, Hon. Mr.. Ely, 9Th Auditor of the Treas
ury, Louis E. Payne, Esq, of Alexandria S. P.
Bayly, OF Fauquier, Republican candidate for
Congress, ]. F. Clements, ESQ.,, of Washing
ton, and G.. FL. Braxton, of Falls Church
Their speeches were all able and eloquent
and were listened to with earnest attention by
all who could get near enough to hear, but
were often interrupted by the most hearty APP
piause All were delighted and the most I'M
bounded enthusiasm prevailed. The necessity
OF paying the poll tax was earnestly urged up
on all, and the result was perfect surge at the
Treasurers Office at this place. Many could
not be accommodated and left their money in
the hands of parties here to be paid for them
A resolution was unanimously adopted
pledging the party to the support of S. P.
Bayly, the nominee for Congress
The speeches were continued until dark,
When Col. Stephenson ot Herndon, Chief Mar
shal announced from the stand the programme
OF the torch light procession All the clubs
then formed on the pike, two abreast, and
bearing torches, marched to the village and
through all the principal streets, with two
bands OF music, making very brilliant and
imposing spectacle They then each filed off
to their respective roads for home, and thus
closed the most exciting and memorable day
IN the history of politics in Fairfax county Its
effects will last to the day OF election, when you
may expect to hears good report from the Re
publicans of Fairfax
Mr.. B. W. Clark and Mr. G. Thomas, of the
Herndon Club, deserve mention for their en-
ergy and perseverance, and especially the lat
for his skill and taste in the decorations and
appropriate notices and devices for the club.
II