Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1882-09-27
A Great Speech.
From a Great ExpOunsier Of
Eruc Doctrine.
MAJ. JOHN w. DANIEL,

MAJ. JOHN w. DANIEL,
One OF the noblest, tTuest and alb
lest men, not only in Virginia, but
in the broad limits OF the United
States, spoke in the Courthouse
in Harrisonburg last Monday. The
Courtroom: which is large, was
packed, the seats, gallery and every
inch Of standing room being cccupi~
ed by an attentive, earnest and en-
thusastic crowd Of the solid and
thinking men of Rockingham and
he held as if spell. bound, this vast
assembly for two hours and twenty
five minntes. by one OF the most
eloquent, elegant, incisiye and logi-
cal speeches ever delivered in Vlr-
ginia. 1t reminded us OF old times,
when Mcdowell, Baldwin, Stuart
and other gifted sons of Virginia
were wont TO speak to the people.
reasoning with them upon the liv-
ing issues, and appealing to their
judgements and good sense, instead
of slang>whauging and appealing 10
their passions. The good order and
dccorum which this crowd of Rock
ingham voters observed was in
striking contrast with the yelling,
screaming and believing which has
characterized polite, gatherings dur
ing the last few years, and has de-
tered the quiet, orderly aud sturdy
yeomanry Of old Rockingham from
attending political meetings, and lis
tening to the discussion OF tue guess
tlons which affect the welfare OF our
people. How rarely it is as every
one knows who has Witnessed the
political mobs OF the past several
years, that the speeches have reach
ed the high plane Of clear and able
discu ssions OF practical aud vital
questions. Slang.whanging, a0use,
vituperation and clap-trap have, IN
the main, constituted the stock III
trade OF the professional politician,
who is always on the rosirum
whoopng up the boys. And the
men hign in oriice, and who are
seeking nonors at the hands OF the
people. seem 10 have such a low
estimatr OF tne intelligence Of tick
healers that they only dlsh OUT 10
them hasa AID ua.h that will feed
and satisfy The passions instead o.
giving sound. sofia rod tor thought
and r,h,cLon. They gcncrany
seem 10 imnk inaI 'nc people joy
mud-slngi'g and Stop, aud with
this they ere doscd aud craLmed
from the musings ~ G0yeunors,
Senator'S. and Oh down ~ the small
fry statesmen. The people are STOW
ing that they ale suucIicd with tins
trash and ait tired vi Ii.
What contrast wi.h such speak
ing was the grand effort OF john
". Daniel OIL Monday. The cay
nest, respectful attention Of The
assembled crowd; tue cIoseness and
eagcruess with wnIch they listened
10 the gifted orator, showed plainly
and clearly that The elevated tone
OF his discussion OF the political sit
ualion was greatly appreciated, con-
trasling dis 1t did with the slang
and trOlh with which the average
slump-spcaker regaI,s lis hearers.
Maj. Daniels speech WAS a digni-
fed, temperate. earnest, honest and
lair discussion OF the living ques
tons affecting lhc welfare and pros
pcrity OF Virginia. 1t Was such
'calful showing up Of 'uc evils OF
"Bossism and ing ru!e in Nngi-
nia, " hieh is leading the Old Slate
10 the edge OF ;he pr,cipice and TO
destruction, as 10 make every tAnn-
ing man pause and reflect beiore ii
is 100 late. IDeie was moi ome Iuan
in that large assembly who listen
I'D 10 lis presentation Of facts AID
arguments, unless those whose pas
slOns aud prejudiccs lave So blind
Cd them That they cannot and will
lot see AID unde stand, but will
confess that Malone and his h,u.
tenants, unless check,d and wiped
cut In their mad career OF ambition
greed aud gain, will disturb the
peace and destroy tie prosperity
OF our beautiful State, as was South
I Caro- and other SJuIhern States
brought to the brink oil rum a few
years ago. These States were
ruled by rarpct-bag bosses a"d rng
masters vino melted the blacks
against The Whites; established the
line Of cUlor and hate, IN order 10
promote their selfish ends. And
now i'll old Virginia, moving Oh
p. osperously, We behold this car
pet bag plan of rule or ruin adoP-
ted by lew men ambitious Tor
office and greedy Tor gain. They
are stirring up strife, accusing the
worst passions, stimulating the bit
terest prejudices, all that they, the
Lig and little bosses, may be bounc-
ed into office. They are sowing the
wind that the old State may reap
the whiilwind.
The ferycnt ami eloquent appeals
OF Maj. Daniel TO every man who
Is or has been a Democrat, or who
wishes peace and prosperity in our
beloved Commonwealth. to come to