The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-11-24
Grand Re-Adjuster Demonstration in
Harrisonburg
RE-ApJusTER ENTHUsIAsM-A eREA

dIlO IeC-6AOJo0tCl 4|OilOA1ooA e'"AOAA 49,
Harrisonburg.
RE-ADJUsTER ENTHUSIASTIC GREAT
OUTPOURING OF THE PEoPLE-SKY-
ROCKETS. FIRE WORKS, SPEECHES, AND
A JOLLY GOOD TIME GENERALLY.
Last Friday evening was appointed for a
general manifestation of delight over the re-
suit of the election on the Sth, by the Read
iusters of Rockingham county. Invitations
had been sent out to numerous prominent
speakers of that party, among them GOV.
Cameron, Gen. Malone, Capt. Riddleberger,
Capt. Wise and others. Neither of the above
named gentlemen made his appearance, each
furnishing a reasonable excuse. Indeed, after
the laborious and exciting canvass through
which they had passed, it was hardly expected
that they would forego the respite offered
/ them to take needed rest. But there were
others present to fill the bill. The people be-
gan to come in from adjacent counties early In
the dav. Greene, Madison, Frederick, Shen-
andoah and Augusta were we'll represented,
and Rockingham poured ont her Re-aduster
rank and file by the thousands. Towards
shutdown the streets and hotels were pretty
welltillel and the chinese lantern arrangements
perfected Business houses, offices and pri-
vate residences were ornamented by the pen
dart lights. and the entire square Illuminated
by the reflection. Sky-rockets were shot of
in countless numbers, and the incessant explo-
sion of fire-cracbers reminded one of an infan-
try assault in a holly contested battle. Min
gled with the explosions, came the eXuberant
reioicings OF the populace, who let themselves
loose for this one time, and regardless of re-
stralnt determined to give expression to the
feelings pant up, under the suspense OF a
doubtful issue. These manifestations were kept
up from early in the evening until late at
night, not even the music of the band and the
strains ofthe orators, causing the least cessa-
ton 1t was a wild medley of discordant
sounds, but all combining to testify to the
enthusiasm with which the result Of the cleo
ton was greeted.
A procession, numbering some 400 or 500
some on horseback and some on foot, headed
by the Edinburg Band i'm chariot, paraded
the street.. 1t was conglomeration of men
and boys, black and white, and after marching
through several of the principal avenues
halted on the square, and then precipitately
broke ranks, preparatory to the intellec-
tua feast which was promised in the remarks
of various gentlemen who had arrived in re-
Spouse to invitations, to speak on the occa
sion. cs su
About seven O'Clock, the moving mass OF
human beings, nearly filing the Court house
square, were notified by the County Chairman
Dr. Webb, Senator elect. that the time for the
speaking to commence had arrived Immedi-
ately in front Of the stand comparative quiet
| followed the announcement but on the outer
circle the 1ire-cracker fusilade and the sky
rocket exhibition increased in activity amid
the huzzas and civilizations of the excited
mass
Mr. G. d Harrison, OF Harrisonburg, was
| the first speakee His remarks were we'll re-
ceived, but the blood of.lhe audience had not
vet been heated up, and consequently the
manifestations were comparatively quiet.
DR.. Homer Bowman, of Woodstock, for
merly of Staunton, followed Mr.. Harrison in
aspeech threaded throughout with some beauti-
full thoughts, gracefully expressed and hand
somely delivered. 't'f-' $500
Gen. ]. Fl. Williams, of Winchester, fol-
| lowed Dr. Bowman in remarks which con-
sumed over an hour of time. While the mat
ter was unexceptonable the audience was in
no humor for dry facts and arguments, or an
elaborate disquistion upon party policy. The
people wanted something more rollicking and
inspiring, and more in sympathy with the ex-
uberant state of their feelings With some
| impotence they awaited the conclusion
| of General Williams remarks and &C
cepted the introduction of Mr.. Thomas, of
Greene, as giving variety to the scene and the
acting. Mr.. Thomas made up in lung power
and physical gesticulation for what was absent
| in method of arrangement and incsiveness OF
argument, and was handsomely repaid by the
audience in frequent demonstrations of APP
plause, in that he did not present anything
| that required mental strain to grasp and di
| gest.
Mr.. G. w. M. Sims, of Madison, was next
on the boards and acquitted himself with
credit. Mr. Sims has the bearing and the ges-
lures of a popular speaker, and on this occa-
sion brought out both TO advantage His re-
marks were well received.
s.. Brown ALLEN, ESQ, of Augusta, sue
ceeded Mr.. Sims, in we'll tempered, forci-
bic and telling speech. We have never
known young man to improve so rapidly in
the arts and accomplishments of the pop ular
DICTATOR He ranks with the most attractive in
the State, and is destined to play no unimpor-
tant part in the politics of Virginia, if his taste
and interests should lead him into that field of
endeavor. He was cheered to the echo and
evidently was regarded by the immense au-
dience before him as one of the favorites of the
Re-adjuster champions.
The close of Mr. Aliens remarks was the
signal for grand rally of the Paul men,
They had been concealng their emotions
| through three hours of talk, as courtesy to
the invited guests, but the time had come for
a regular old time "Rah for Pau" and it was
| given with will On no other occasion have
we ever seen such wild demonstration of de-
| light over their favorite leader 1t was diff
cult for him to get to the starting point, as
every time he would come to the front cho-
rus of shouts, screams and confused eiacula-
| tons would issue from the immense crowd,
defying order and forbidding the ordinary
decorum of such occasions
CAPTAIN PAULs SPEECH
After the speeches of the regular programme
were finished Hon John Paul was vociferous-
ly called for, and in response, said that he had
not expected to make speech on the occasion.
but the people there assembled had. right to
hear from him, and that it was his duty to
answer any demand they might make upon
him. The Readjusters had right to rejoice
over the great victory they had achieved, for
no political party in any. State Of this Union
had ever won greater triumph The bless
ings to Virginia to flow from this success can
not now be estimated; only time and their en-
1 jovment can establish their value.
He briefly reviewed the history of the Read
juster party from It's ioundation in February,
1879. He was proud to say he had offered the
resolution in q caucus of the RI adiuster mem