Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-05-23
The Virginia Campaign.

And they blossom in her hand.
Dora Reade Goodale in Christian Union.
The Virginia Campaign.
The Opening by Parson Massey at
Front Royal Courthouse.
A SYNOPSIS OF HIS FOUR HOURS
sPEECH-HIs SEVERE CRITICISM OF
MAHoNE-AN EXCITING EPISODE
RIDDLEBERGER REPLIES AT NIGHT.
Especial to Washington Post.
FRONT ROYAL, VA, May 15.-The
first gun in the campaign was fired here
to-day. The announcement recently
made that the ex-Auditor, John E. Mas
sey, would speak to-day filled the court
BILE to gain admittance, standing outside
the door, etc. Quite unexpected this
morning Capt. 81. III. Riddleberger and
about eleven of his compatriots put in
an appearance and, 1t is reported by
reputable citizens, were seen to load
their pistols in the streets. On the
strength of this thirteen extra police
men were appointed. About the worst
place in the world to get up a BULLDOG
Ing row is Front Royal, as will be seen
further on.
Judge Finnell, the Readjuster county
judge, introduced Mr.. Massey to the as
sembly. The famous Virginia parson
commenced his four-aud-a-half hours
speech few minutes before o'clock
by stating that no distinctive issue was
before the people; no candidate nor
election was at hand to excite their feel
ings or passions. They had had what
was termed q stormy session of the Leg
islature, and after storm the mariner
always examined his chart to ascertain
if he had veered from the course marked
out for himself at the start and to see if
he was in the correct line. In this re-
spect it might be well to take retro
spective view. No interest or welfare
of the State which interested his hear
ers but was of vital importance to him
self. The general welfare of Virginia's
sons and daughters was his welfare.
Much had been said and done in the
past which would bear review.
Here Mr.. Massey went into an ex-
tended discussion of the results of the
war and the plans afterward laid out
for the future, the most important ques-
ton of all being the State debt issue and
Its settlement, and the part he took in
it from the start. In this connection
of himself, drawn by Willie Caskie, as
being dead and laid out, and the mourn.
ers standing around viewing his corpse.
"But," said he, lam I not one of the
iveliest corpses you ever saw? I have
been killed off often, but have as often
come to life again." Mr.. Massey then
branched off into a discussion of the
Funding bill, the McCulloch bill. and
the one known as the Massey School
bill, which are already familiar to the
people of the State. He had favored
the capitation tax because all the reve-
nue. from it went to the public schools.
But since then his mind had undergone
q change. 1t was demorelizing feat
ure in the Constitution, and no party
could sacrifice their morals to enrich
their treasury. This constitutional pro-
vision did not put any more money
into the treasury than before it became
a part of the Constitution. The Whig
used to be very good authority with him,
and was still when it spoke the truth.
[Derisive laughter. In this he was a
strict constructionist. It was said that
the party had passed all 1t promised and
more. Well, he hoped the State debt
question was settled and forever elimi-
mated from the politics Of the State and
party issues. For the sake of getting it
out of party politics he hoped the cou-
pom. killer would be sustained. He at
least wanted 1t left where it was, in the
courts, and never resurrected before the
people in the fall election.
"You and I have been marching in
different roads," he said. The storm
commenced In the Legislature about
who should be Auditor. Somebody
wanted the writing to be done, and he
was to take the responsibility. At this
point Mr.. Massey humorously referred
to the fact that canes had been moving
around livelier in the basement offices
since he left than pens, which convulsed
his hearers with merriment. In this
respect they were like terrapins, fire
made them walk lively. Why was he
moved from there? Because of a man
(Mahone) whose ambition was to run
the party and State to his own ends and
to put a bit in the mouth of the people
and hold the reins and drive them
where he chose. When it came to q
question of the welfare of the State and
Oneeman-power-bossism he Massey
stood by the people. [Cheers.] Here Mr..
Massey alluded to the caucus difficulty,
and his kicking against its serfdom,
which is already known to the public.
AS for himself, when running for an
office he was party man, but when he
was elected he ceased to be such not to
run the Auditors office in the interest
of party, but for the best interests of
all the people of the State. [Applause.
While Auditor he had handled six mil
lions of the peoples money to the sat
isfacti0n and commendation Of all par
ties.
Mr.. Massey next alluded to the old
Confederate soldiers, and, in fact, all
soldiers; of the Free Masonry feeling
and companionship existing between
them. Now, where was the man to 60
back on his comrades in arms? William
Malone, of Virginia, In the Senate
went back upon his old soldiers and
cast stigma upon them by voting
against their admission into the Army
and Navy of the United States. Was
there man present so craven as to
stand up and Justify Mahone's vote
against his old comrades in arms?
Shame upon him if there was.
At this juncture the speaker branched
off upon the five pet measures of Ma
hone and the little Bosses" which had
been defeated. One of the bills Senator
Hale kicked violently against-the Ju-
dietary bill, which was to GUST the pres
emit judgee. One little Boss (al!uding
to Riddleberger, who stood in front OF
the speaker smoking,) said to bale,
I'VE just want to readjust them out
now, and after awhile we will put in
six more.n [Great laughter He then
discussed Mahone's proposition to de-
liver eight congressman to Arthur for
Federal patronage. He cannot deliver
the goods. We cannot 60 with him. !.
We are not going to be sold like chattel |
like mere dumb animals so as to give
him control In both houses. The Val.
!ey Virginian and the Wing were still
harping on an extra session, and they
were at work in the districts of the solid
1--WE for their vote.
At this point Riddleberger and his
friends outside became impatient. and
,ome cried out, "Riddleberger. "Rid.
ileberger )" "give us time," but there
was no response from the crowd. A