The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-07-20
Rockingham Liberals.

Last Monday was court day in Harrison
burg, and the time appointed for the selection
of delegates to the Readjuster Convention
which meets at that place on the 10Th of Au-
gust, to nominatea candidate for Congress,
and the reorganization of the Liberal party of
that county. At 4 o'clock large number of
the citizens of the county assembled in the
court house. The mass meeting was called to
order by appointing Dr.J. B. Webb chairman
and selecting DR.. j. W. Points, Mr.. Barbee of
the Bridgewater Journal, and D. Deckert. of
the, SPIRIT of the Va1ey, secretaries. A com
mittee was appointed TO- recommend delegates
to the District Convention for each township.
and also county and precinct committees,
and proper resolutions expressive of the posi-.
ton and sentiments Of the Coalition party of
the county. While this committee were out
Hon. John Paul, member of Congress from the
18th district, was asked. by resolution, to ad-
dress the meeting. The mention of his name
caused the most enthusiastic cheering from
the large audience present, which was contin
ued in increased volume until the gentleman
took his position on the stand His remarks
were brief, pointed, bold and eloquent-in fact
about the best short speech we ever heard from
him or any one else. Had he spoken torhours
we do not think he could have said more or
said it better than what was condensed into
30 minutes speech, He commenced by feel
ingly saying that he could not refuse to re-
spond to call coming from those who had
done so much for him-who had proven true
in every contest, fearless in every encounter,
and triumphant in every measurement of
strength with their political foes. He review
ed what the party he spoke for had done in
the settlement of the state debt upon a bus is
just in itself and just to the people-the relief
it had effected in cutting off 5000, 900 of cap
italized debt the state did not owe, the reduc-
ton of the rate of taxation from so to 40 cents
on the 800, and the establishment of the
public schools, and the provision made tor the
education of every child in the State, whether
rich or poor, white or black. He assailed the
| decision recently rendered in the circuit court
Of Richmond, which nullined the act of the
Legislature which appropriated 100000 to
the Colored Normal School for the training of
| colOred teachers to. instruct colored children
in separate schools, and $500, 900 for the pub
lie schools, from the sale of the States interest
in the Atlantic, Mississippi & Ohio Railroad
an amount secured through the agency of
Gen. Malone, which otherwise would never
have been realized by the Commonwealth
But this decision, he believed. would be re-
versed by the Supreme Court OF the State,
which will be organized LIST of January next,
because 1t was wrong in principle and in law,
and the people would yet receive the benefits
OF this beneficent legislation and congratula-
ted the people that the election in November
next would forever settle in Virginia the free
dom of the ballot and the right to exercise it,
without the Intervention Of a dollar tax ticket
as the price ola freeman's; vote. To show
Bourbon maignity, he referred to the appro-
priatlon of $50,000by the present Congress fora
Court Honse in Harrisonburg, and the declared
opposition to it because it had been secured
through the efforts of Readjuster members of
Congress and the Republican votes OF that
body; and informed his hearers that it was
the Bourbon Democrats who opposed and the
Republicans who supported the measure
which secured to the State the several appro-
priatiOns voted this session for public build
ings. He confessed he voted for Speaker Kef-
er and to organize the House in harmony with
the administration. upon the grounds that
President Arthur was the friend of the South
as we'll as the North, the East and West-that
in his message he knew no section-only one
common country and united people, and was
| anxious that the government should extend
Its aid to the devastated valley of the Missis-
sppl, and rescue the homes of the people there
from the devastation of floods and overflows,
as he is to succor and encourage any other
portion of the Union. He said he was not
afraid to go before the people of his district
upon his record,-that he yearned for the day
when he should be released from the exactions
of the sitting Congress to face his constituents
and speak for his party-its liberal principles
and policy, and tie II them frankly what he be-
lieved to be their and his duty in their nation
al relations. Never did bridegroom 20 to the
bridal chamber with more pleasure than he
no act, Sinking no responsibility. but frankly
aad truthfully explaining every vote and as
ISOLATION, and trust to their fairness, their in
tellgence and their patriotism for the result.
His reference to Mr. Massey was by no
means complimentary to the party that had
accepted him as their leader in this canvass,
nor to the gentleman himself He paid glow
ing tribute to Maj. Daniel, man who never
deserted o cause or shrank from an encounter
brave, gifted and charlottesville was equip
ped for leadership in every respect, and for
party to pass him by, who had been ever true,
and take up a deserter from the Readjusters,
was one of the anomalies OF the times and could
only be explained by the utter Generalization
of the faction that was guilty of the shame.
Capt Paul was in fine trim spoke with great
animation and clearness, and was received
with evidences ofthe continued confidence and
affection of the people of Rockingham county.
Like the speaker, his hearers seemed ready for
the fray, chatting for The campaign to open,
confident of an increased vote and a trium
plant result.
The attachment of the people Of Rocking
ham to Capt. Paul is remarkable. There
seems to be magnetic chord that holds them
together, or some mystic influence that Vi
brates from speaker to hearer, and makes all
aglow with cheer and enthusiasm whenever
he appears to address them. The indications
point to an increase OF Paul's strength in the
county, which will augment the popular vote
and coalition majority in the State.
? The Democratic Committee.
q The State Central Committee of the Demo- |
cratic party met In Richmond on Wednesday
of last week. There was pretty general