The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-10-28
NO. 81
Vandalism.

| To the Editor Of the Valley Vaayiaasan Your.
correspondent is a native this city, voted for
| Harry of the West" when the Presidential
nominee of the sold Wing Party" in 1874, and
| adhered to the fortunes and misfortunes Of
that honored and renowned organization, all
| through its checkered career of victory ana
defeat, in national, State and municipal affairs,
well up to the hour of its regretful disruption
| From the sound of the tocsin of civil war I'D
to this moment of writing have been con-
sistent Republican, with enough of resolute
courage and manliness of character to enunci-
ate Republican sentiments, and to vote for Re-
publican principles in defiance of the popular
voice, embodied in State sovereignty and
standard well known Southern proclivities
Many acts of political meanness and violence
have been perpetrated all over thecountry, but
in no section have they been equalled to those
enacted in parts of the South since the close OF
hostilities. The "Old Line Wing Party in it's
halcyon days of political prosperity, when
protection to American manufactures and
American labor was one of the main planks in
its platform, was the subject and recipient OF
many acts of indecency from the hands of the
Democratic party, and in support of the prin-
ciples and the party to which l am now allied,
it becomes my duty to record for the enlight-
eminent of the State and the country another
outrage committed upon the Republicans here
which for baseness of character and morbid
ness of spirit, has not been surpassed as yet in
this section during the present canvass. The
same causes which have operated all over the
State to suppress republican organizations,
have had the same effect right here in our
midst, and as consequence, no considerable
number of Republicans have been able to keep
themselves well together. organized for politi-
cal combat, and as a result the amount of
funds remaining on hand in the aggregate was
very inconsiderable Not to be outdone, how
ever. by our opponents who have large num-
Der of poles and flags at various points in the
city, the Republicans resolved to make an eff
fort in that direction, and accordingly impro-
vised handsome and magnificent banner
bearing upon its folds Garfield, Arthur and
Dezendori, our candidate for Congress. This
banner was located conspicuously on High
Street, and stretched across that avenue from
side to side with bright and new American
flag on either side The Banner flag was va
riegated and costly, the price approximating
one hundred dollars, which was raised by con-
tributions from the party. The banner and
flags have been daily exposed to view for two
or three weeks past, and created an attraction
which opposition indecency could not with
stand any longer. So in the dead hour of last
nights midnight, the hour when sleep broods
over the wearied brows of honest men, the
muff1ed feet and stealthy tread of hideous hui
mainly brought them to the building where
the banner was thought to be secure, and
nothing daunted, they cut away framework Of
the edifce, broke open locks, bursted.
and having obtained the banner 1919 on'
dages, tore them into fragUsnts o cain rp an
other n act Of instinctiys atfocity and am done
The Republicans in the village of Brambleton,
N ~ eoun.y shd within sight of the city
o. Nolsoia, 9eSG in preparation to be raised. a
!, ags'an 80 feet in length, with it's attendant
appuNenances. The oppositionists of the
yehemently protested against it's
elevation, simply because they had not raised
or intended to raise one, and in consideration
of failure on their part to prevent its erection,
whether performed by the said neighbors or
morning and veneered to a certain extent
with substance of nameless import. Such
acts of vandalism exhibit in full the animus
which is being continually directed against the
orderly and peaceful organization of the Re-
publican party. Notwithstanding the annoy
ances to which they are subjected, the Repub-
licans here are being well organized with many
accessions to their ranks A meeting was held
at Oxford Hall, this city, few evenings since,
and was addressed by A. NJ Clapp of the Ma
tional Republican, Washington, d. c. and
was the largest, most intelligent and enthusi-
astic gathering held here for many years.
Whatever else may be done against us, surely
the handwriting of 'inglorious Democratic de-
feat" is written all over the pavements and
over the walls, and l am
Yours &c.
JONATHAN E. BoUsH.
Portsmouth, Va, Oct. 10Th, 1880.