The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-07-21
The Under Current.

LAY before yesterday we haQ conversation
with one of the most prominent Readjusters in
Augusta county. He is gentleman who was
one of the originators of the Readjuster move
ment, and has acted a prominent part in every
canvass since that time. He is in no sense pol
itcian, but man of property, of influence in
his section, and one whose sound judgment
and high character are recognized by all who
know him. In referring to the political prob
lem of Virginia, he stated that since the action
of the late Readjuster convention, he was
without party. A member ofthe convention
of 1880, he had watched its proceedings with
interest, until the conviction was forced upon
him that the leaders were NO longer working
for REIMBURSEMENT, but were willing to sacrifice
everything in their greed for office. He had
carefully observed the trickery practiced and
the want of sincerity manifested, and had
come home with the belief that REIMBURSEMENT
was dead, and that those who were known as
the leaders of that movement were using its
BODY as stepping stone to power. Notwith-
standing his disgust, the fact that he had been
member of the convention, compelled him to
abide by its action, and in the election which
followed he voted the July ticket Since that
time he had watched the current of events, and
was now fully satisfied that the impression
made upon his mind by the convention of
1880 was correct, and that those who are now
prominently known as the leaders of Read
justment are ambitious of self Alone and will
ing to override every obstacle that is opposed
to their own selfish designs In his opinion
REIMBURSEMENT is dead, and the frantic efforts
row being made by the remnant ofthat party
to capture Republicans is an advertisement to
the world of their own weakness, and the fact
that the masses have deserted them. The
gentleman in question believed that the Lynch
burg convention would place ticket in the
field, and that the nominees of the late June
convention would be withdrawn. There is
nothing else left for them to do, he said. If
they continue their futile fight, it will give the
lie to all their assertions heretofore. They
have time and again declared that they are
ambitious only to secure the defeat of the Bour-
bons To continue their ticket after the Re
publicans have made nomination is to do all
in their power to return the State to the con-
troll of those who have ruled and ruined it.
The gentleman farther told us that he was
not alone in his belief. That other men who
had in the past, been of his political household.
were now with him. They were not politi-
clans, and did not parade their opinions in the
Court yard or on the street corners. In fact
they rarely talk upon political subjects, but
they represent the under current of sentiment
among thinking men of the county. They
have been Readjusters heretofore, but are now
entirely cut loose from party, and will act in
the next election as their best judgment
dictates.
The wild talk and CHATTER of the hot heads,
and those who expect office, cannot be accept
ed as a reflection of the real sentiment of the
people, An illustration of the reliance to be
put in the assertions of those who makea bus
mess of giving Opinions" is found in the ex-
perience of the last campaign. In 1880, just
five weeks before the election, Genl Malone
held a conference ia Richmond at which all of
his trusted lieutenants were present. The re-
suit of an exchange of views was the announce
ment that the Readjusters would sweep the
State by larger majority than in 1870 At
the time that announcement was made the
masses of the Readjusters knew that they had
no nope, and they came to the conclusion that
their leaders were woefully wanting in judg
ment or Were wUfnlly lying.
This is no fancy sketch. but plain presen-
tation of the substance of 9 conversation held
with gentleman who has been recognized as
one of the most active and influential Read
iusters in the county. A man who has no ak
to grind and NO ambition to sllserye beyond
the welfare of his State and the ,mmop inter-
osts of his fellows