National Republican., 1882-08-16
Harry Riddleberger Ancld.


AT Alexandria tomorrow night Sena-
tor-elect Riddleberger will formally be-
gin his part Of the Virginia canvass.
Those who remember his magnificent
efforts in the canvass of last year are
prepared for renewed triumphs by the
young Senator in the far less arduous
campaign in progress now. The "Game
Cock of the Valley" will probably trav-
erse the State without opposition. Last
year Riddleberger met the favorite lead
ers of Bourbonism throughout the State,
nowhere declining the contest with the
enemy, whether of high or low degree
To him it mattered little whether he
overthrew Major Daniel in the Southwest
or sent some doughty crossroads Bour-
bon orator rolling in the dust of his
native courtyard in Eastern Virginia;
whether he exposed with irresistible
argument the polished sophistries and
sophomore platitudes of the silver
.tongued orator of Lynchburg or answered
with defiance the vaporings and mouth
ings of the bullies and bull-dozers of
Bourbonism.
Harry Riddleberger deservedly has the
heart of his party to a degree uncommon
amid the selfish claims and exactions of
politics. Like General Malone, Of whom
Riddleberger has long been q most able
and trusted and faithful personal and
political associate, he is loved by his
party for the genius and courage and su-
preme devotion with which he has served
it, by its enemies he has been corre-
spondingly antagonized, though not
without much abatement, on the part of
generous Bourbons, ofthe fierce hate with
which they have assailed most of the
Liberal leaders.
To the North Senator Riddlcberger has
just become an object of enhanced inter-
est, and his utteranccs throughout the
canvass will be regarded with attention
superadded TO that ordinarily given to
one upon whom has recently been con-
ferred the high honor of membership OF
the National Senate. His speech at
week was noble declaration of the as
piring Amcricanism which is rapidly
driving Bourbonism and sectionalism in
disgrace from the South. Riddleberger
is type of the young South, Of redeemed
Virginia, of genuine Americanism. His
speeches. like his cause, are pleas for
peace and love among all the people of a
common country.
The young Senator elect is fortunate in
having Alexandria as the initial point Of
his canvass in Eastern Virginia, and the
good old Bourbon town will do well to
turn out and hear so eloquent an apostle
of the liberalism it so unreasoningly alb.
hors. Speaking almost in the shadow of
the great pile where shortly he will
begin his career as Virginian Senator
Riddleberger will have the Union as his
audience, and the Nation will again ap.
plaud his manly and inspiring pleas fol
Virginia forever divorced from Bour.
bon sway and the dom ination oI
sectional ideas and from sectional
associations. 1t is an encouraging au-
gury for the Liberal canvass in Nir.
ginia that Riddleberger should be sent
first to the eighth district, the only
Bourbon stronghold which yet holds out
against the assaults of the Liberals. He
leaves the Valley solid and enthusiastic
for Liberalism. The Southwest has raj
lied to Wise as it last year rallied tc
Cameron. John Paul and Lamb anC
Mayo are in Southeastern Virginia
greeted by crowds of enthusiastic Liber
ais. No wonder that gallant Harry o
the Valley" has time and inducement tc
preach the gospel of truth in the obdu
rate eighth district 1t may yet become
fair fighting ground. AT all events
Riddleberger's presence is procama
ton that it is not to be surrendered
without q battle.