The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-07-07
The city's Suspense.

| THE DEEP CONCERN MANIFESTED-PUBLIC
MEETING, ETC.
The news of the attempted assassination OF
President Garfield shocked and amazed our
people here as in every part of the nation.
The first announcement in Staunton OF the
terrible fact was posted on the VIRGINIAN
bulletin board about 10 o'clock on Saturday
morning Immediately crowd surged around
it and the news spread with the rapidity OF
whirlwind throughout the city. In ten min
utes after the posting of the bulletin the
streets were thronged with people, and the po-
lice found it impossible to keep the pavement
in front of the VIRGINIAN Office accessible to
foot passengers At eleven o'clock the VIR-
aINIANs first extra was sent throughout the
county by the morning mails. Shortly aftei'
wards long special dispatch givin G details OF
the shooting was posted, and from time to
time the bulletins announcing the Presidents
condition, followed, each of which was eagerly
devoured by the crowd that pressed and pack
ed about the Office door.
There was but one sentiment expressed and
that of pIofund sympathy for the President
and the most intense Indignation against the
worthless creature who was thus enabled 10
plunge whole nation into sorrow. Business
was in large measure suspended, and groups
of citizens could be seen on every corner dis
cussing the shocking occurrence. 1t seemed
as if each one had lost near and dear persona
friend 1t was deep feeling of bereavement
and sympathy that made men forget all polltl-
cal differences in the one absorbing sorrow.
Those who supported and those who opposed
General Garfield in the last election, were
equally and alike concerned, for the President
of each and all, the head of. the government
which is not of indiv duals but of a whole peo-
pie had been stricken, and as people bereft
of their chosen leader our citizens of al classes
grieved. There was but little demonstration,
but the bowed head, the earnest voice and the
very manner of all were pathetically eloquent
of the overshadowing gloom. Closely the
bulletin boards were watched and the tidings
whether for good or ill were plainly discerna-
BILE in the faces of those who read them. Never,
we venture to say, has the city of Staunton
been SO deeply stirred. 1t seemed to be a case
|
Sunday the same interest was manifest
All day long anxious inquiries were being ask
ed, and deep concern was pictured on nearly
every co'1ntenance upon the street. In the
churches earnest and eloquent prayers were Of
tered for the presidents restoration, and from
many and many private altar the heartfelt
petition went up to the Great Physician
On Monday the hush and quiet of a holy Sab
bath reigned over the city. Nearly all of the
stores were closed, and the only sign of life up
on the streets were the anxious-faced groups
that gathered here and there to read the bulle-
tins and to tell one another the sorrow that
was present with all.
The Public Meeting.
Although the notice was a brief one, the
crowd that assembled at the meeting held at
o'clock Monday evening, completely filled
the large area in front of the Courthouse.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor
VIM. L. Balthis. who thereupon moved that
Hon. Alex H. H. Stuart be requested to pre-
side. This motion having been seconded from
various quarters, Mr.. Stuart was unanimously
| CHOSEN as CuilTul;tH vi Vic iiiCClihS'
On taking the chair,
Mr.. STUART
expressed his regret that he had been laboring
under mistake as to the time of holding the
meeting, and that it was not until he heard
the sound of the bell that he had become
aware of his error. He had, therefore, had no
time to marshal his thoughts to give fitting
expression to his feelings, which doubtless
were shared by every member Of the audience.
But in fact no preparation was necessary We
all feel that great calamity has befallen the
country The President of the United States
has been stricken down, in the National Me-
tropolis, by the hand of a vile miscreant. This
murderous assault is not merely crime per-
petrated upon the person of the President, but
it is an offence against the whole people OF the
United States He is the chosen representa-
tive of fifty MILL ions of freemen, and when the
assassin made his felonious assault on him,
he struck blow at the whole American peo-
pie, and indeed against the free institutions OF
which he was the representative. DlfferlDg,
as many of us did, with the President upon
political questions, we all feel that he is our
PRESIDENT We all concede that he is man OF
great intellect and integrity; we believe that
he is true patriot, and we realize that the
felonious assault on him is personal wrong
to ourselves.
We have met here therefore, to give ex-
preston to the righteous indignation which
fills our hearts, in view of the atrocious crime
which has been committed, and OF our pro-
found sympathy with the illustrious sufferer
and his devoted wife and family. And we
would also offer fervent prayer that his life
NAV be spared for the benefit of his country.
A crime like this is not merely an offence
against the laws of God and man, but it is an
attack upon the principles of social organiza-
ton and free government everywhere. By
the theory of our representative institutions,
the voice of the majority of the people is the
only legitimate governing power. But If as
sassination is to be substituted for election il
revolutions are TO be effected by the bullet or
dagger of the murderer, what becomes of this
fundamental principle of representative gov
! eminent? 1t makes us almost distrust the in
situations under which it has become possible
for one murderer to thwart the will and blight
the prospects of a whole nation.
In despotic governments where, as in
Russia, the will of one man is the supreme
law, and where that will is often directed to
the oppression of the down-trodden and help
less masses, we can understand deeply as we
, may deplore and denounce the criminality of
the act how men, goaded to madness by OPP
preston, may seek to redress their wrongs,
real or supposed, by striking down the arm
that smites them. But when we remember
that this great crime has been pelpetrated, not
against the tyrant who was warning against the
best interests of the country, but against that
man who was fairly chosen by the voice of the
people themselves, as their trusted representa-
tive; against the man who is the servant and
not the master of the people, our indignation
knows no bounds and we feel that no punish
ment could be too great for the vile scoundrel
who, for low purposes, could strike such a
} fatal blow against humanity, against republ-