The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-09-16
Assistant Republicans.

Hancock anu EnRllSn CluD OF StauntOn,
but we have been gratified to recognize in
it a most efficient auxiliary to the Republi-
can party. The first demonstration it in
augurated was intended to overawe the Re-
adiusters by the beating of drums and blow
ing of horns, and the Juror that was natu-
raj on the appearance for the first time be-
fore Valley audience of such well known
personages as Gov. Hampton, OF South
Carolina, and Gov. Vance, of North Caro-
lima, to say nothing Of the political acrobat
from Rockingham. But the effect was
quite different from what was expected. :
The Re-adjusters held their ground, and
went through successfully and effectively
with their programme, and instead OF
weakening, were aroused to still more ac-
tive and determined endeavors. While this
was the effect in that direction. the sentI-
ments advanced by the speakers have been
taken up all over the country and used to
warn the people of the true issue Of the
campaign, and the necessity of unusual
efforts to educate the country up to its
pregnant import. 1t is safe to say that
Gen. Hampton's speech has added to the
strength Of the Republican party in the
Northern and Western States tens of
thousands of votes, which, in all probable
ity, will determine the election in Novem-
Der in favor Of the Republican nominees
DR.. Moffett's remarks exposed to the think
ing farmers and laborers OF the Valley, the
purposes Of the Democratic party, in the
repeal or disastrous modification of the tar
if laws and internal revenue tax, by
which. if practically enforced, the resources
Of the National Treasury would be SO re-
duced, as to compel direct tax upon the
real and personal property of the country,
or default in the payment of the interest
on the public debt. and fatally cripple the
operations Of government. Gov. Vance
preached the doctrine of reputation, and
related how North Carolina had cut down
her debt to correspond with her losses dur
ing the war, with cheerful indifference to
moral obligations which would have encour-
aged the widest Re-a ljuster in Virginia.
| These three speeches have had triple
effect. The first has stimulated the Repub-
licans all over the country, and driven into
their ranks many Democrats who have no
sympathy with the principles for which
Lee and Jackson fought. and no idea that
South Carolina politics and methods shall
control this government. The second speech,
or more appropriately, the disjointed and
incongruous homily. has put the people of
the Valley to thinking, and caused num-
Der Of those who had been acting with the
Democratic party to hesitate, and others to
openly declare for Garfield aud Arthur =
And the third, instead of overawing and
disheartening the Re-adjusters, has placed
in their hands club with which to maui
the Funders, in whose interests Mr.. Vance
spoke.
This has been the result of the first de-
monstration of the Hancock and English
Club OF Staunton. How much profit the
Democratic party has received from it, we
have been unable to learn.
The next exhibit was an Indignation
IAN for something it had never said, and
create sensation in the hope of extricat-
ing Gen. Hampton from a blunder he had
committed, by flood of epithets against
this paper, and a storm of hurrahs in re-
spouse to several inflammatory, and sense
less as inflanmatory, speeches delivered on
the occasion. The primary object Of this
demonstration was to impair the influence
and injure the business OF the VIRaINIAN
But the Hancock and English Club, or at
least the originators and instigators of tn is
unjust and malicious assault, had not suf-
ficiently studied the case they attempted to
summarily dispose Of. The VALLEY VIR-
GINIAN is not Of mushroom growth. It has
not been carried forward upon current of
prejudice and passion. 1t has won its po-
sition and what influence it exerts, by hard
and conscientious labor for what it believes
to be right, land endeavored to sustain every
proposition it has presented, whether af-
fecting the material interests or the State,
or the political Identification to which it
holds, by calm reason and argument. 1t has
fought its way up against the current,
and reached the confidence of an intelli-
gent people, because it has always endeav-
ored to be frank and truthful, conceaing
nothing, and resorting to no expedients to
gaiL popular favor, While adhering stead
lastly to its own convictions, it has recog-
nized the right Of others to differ from it.
and because OF that difference it has never
resorted to denunciation and epithets as
means OF demonstrating its own cause. 1t
has aimed to address the reason by legiti-
mate argument and we'll ascertained facts,
and while many OF its patrons do not agree
with it. they respect it for it's fairness and
frankness, and regard it as a healthy check
upon that extreme partizanism, which
would run riot over everything if not ex-
posed.
And what has been the effect of the mon
strous bull ofcondemnation issued against.it
by the Hancock and English Club? Not
less than five hundred subscribers have been
added to its list, coming from both parties and
from Virginia and half Of the States of the
Union. Not only this, but it has added to
the supporters Of Garfield in this county
and town number of persons who have
heretofore acted with the Democrats. but
who do not approve of this modern method
Of muzzling the press, and suppressing free
thought and free speech.
The speech Of Mr.. Ellis. who by invita-
ton, addressed the Hancock and English
Club last week, has not improved the situa-
ton, but added fresh complcatio MS and
embarrassments. When his remarks are
read in the North, as they no doubt will be.
it will be found that more Republican than
Democratic votes will be made, and that in
stead Of serving the cause of Hancock, he
has been contributing to the augmentation
Of the majority for Garfield.
Taking the work Of the Hancock and
English Club, as far as it has come to our
knowledge, all in all, we are compelled to
recognize in it a very efficient auxiliary to
tha Rapublicon no rfv and cha11 taka |