The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-10-26
NO. %
An Address
TO THE MECHANICS AND LABoRTNG MEN OF
VIRGINIA

| AL AQQ6TSS
TO THE MECHANICS AND LABoRING MEN OF
VIRGINIA.
FELLOW WORKMEN.-Since the close of the
war, there has occurred no election in this
State that embraced within its results so much
OF interest to the Workingman as the one that
Will take place on the 7th OF November next
AND l, as anechanic and workingman, would
say 10 my 1elloW-aDorers that i'll the whole
history Ut this State there never was, and
proDaDly VIII never be again. greater oppor
tunlty OF advancing your condition pecuni-
arlly, as well as socially as that which now
presents itself You Will haye an opportu-
nifty, by casting your votes on the 9TH OF next
month, on the SIDE OF Liberalism, as repre-
senteu by the ReadJuster party, Oh helping TO
break Gown THIS arrogant, proscriptive, I'M
bending, naughty, intriguing Bourbon party
That has SO long disgraced this proud old
commonwealth and the name of Democracy.
| by their Righteousness. Have you forgotten
the arrogance OF this Bourbon party, When i'll
| power, three or four years since? Have you
| already become lnsensbIe 10 the disdaintul
| treatment you would receive at their hands
when you would approach them on any bust
ness that concerned yourself? Nay, at what
| time, save on the approach of an election, did
these arrogant BOurDons treat a mechanic or
Worklngman with common civility? Have
| you forgotten their etiortsIlo crush the free
scnool system III rhs state, that your children
might De compelled to grow up in ignorance,
ana thereby become serviie dependents To
these purse-proud, arrogant tyrants? Can
you bear any love for that party who, as 1t
were, spit upon you and showed you less re-
spect than they did one of their slaves before
the war, because you earned your bread by
manual labor, and who would reject YOU with
as much scorn us they Woulda worthless cur,
because you were poor in purse? You GER
talnly remember the party VINO ruled our State
from 1867 TO lo79-Len years-WIth rod of
iron, compelling you by their narrow minded
ness, 10 trif1e Out a straltened livelihood, per
plexeI ana embarrassed on every side by the
dOmlneering intolerance of Bourbon rule and
misgovernment? l now ask you, will you
support, by your influence before and with
your vote on the 7th OF November 1882, this
proscrlptlye Bourbon faction, who, whilst
they were IN power, proved themselves, be-
yonQ all question, The enemies or the free .
school system, the ene.ries of tree suffrage the
enemies OF protection to manufactures, the
enemies OF tree speech, in fact, the enemies of
everything that has freedom or enjoyment in
1t tor any but themselves or will YOU step
forward and enroll your name among those
enlisted as Readjusters, fighting in the cause
OF progressive Liberalism? The watchwords
OF our paTty-the "Great Progressive Liberal
Party OF Virginia" are Free Suffrage, Free
Education, Free Speech, Free Religion, and
Free Politics."
Fellow, laborers, weigh well in your minds
before you decide As Virginians, decide not
100 hastlly this momentous point. Remember
That 1t IS this glorious party of Liberalism
the Readjuster party-that you have to thank
1or the blessing OF tree schools Recollect that
This party also deserve your thanks and ever
laSllhg gratitude Tor the honorable re-adjust-
ment OF The State debt, for lower taxes, and
lor The recognition and favor of the National
government, something which, under Bour-
Don rule, was not extended to our State.
AND now, If you will Join hands with us in
THIS glorious contest Which is now in progress,
and Will, shoulder to shoulder, march with us
up 10 the polls on Tuesday, the 9TH day OF next
month, ana vote for the Readjuster men and
principles, we will insure you the additional
blessing OF free suffrage
Brotner mechanics, support, on the 7th of
november next, that party who encourage the
investment VI capital Ill our State, that we all
may be enabled to obtain profitable employ
lnent. GlVe your influence and vote to that
party-the Readjuster party-who have shown
themselves the friends OF the free schools, that
your chlldren may grow up enjoying the adj
Vahtages oI good education, and thereby fitted
70 become useful men and wcmen deserving
the respect and consideration OF all classes.
Yes, 1elloW-Workmen, vote on the It'll day
ana aim II Is TO protect and nourish, by Lib
erailsm, all those principles OF progressiveness
whicn, When put INTO practice will develop
and elevate the Old Dominion to her proper
position III the slsternood OF States
0lFe countenance and encouragement nv
rlends, 10 that party, part of whose mission
IL Is 10 break down AND destroy the battlements
u aflslocracy ana ancestral claims united to
olu War issues by Which the Bourbon party
are surrounded. Down with them and in their
pace help us to raise the spirit OF Americanism
1nlted WIN liberal and progressive ideas.
Oolne, contracts Ill business, mechanics,
"ofklngmen, laoorers, and all men who love
me glorious old Commonwealth of Virginia
ind Wish 10 see once more high advanced her
'hield and arms; come, | say, all Of you and
ally as one nlau to the support of the prin-
apes and platform OF the readjuster party.
0olle,hly friends and array yourselves in the
'hAs VI liberalism ana by your vote on the
Va Vi next month heIp to reclaim the honor
d our State and tree her entirely from Bour-
)on rule and ruin, and with one loud shout of
vengeance that viii be heard from tide water
% tHe uttermost western confines of the State
md from the rolling banks OF the old Potomac
% our southern boundaries, help to cast down
mo out forever those VINO have for so long
Kept our State embarrassed and consequently,
'ou III poverty and WANT with high taxes and
'ufcnasaDle hight OF suffrage TO perplex and
Innoy you. Win one accord and united eff
ort help US, say, To elevate TO positions of
rust and honor those gallant leaders of Lib
railsm now So heroIcaIJ battling for those
principles which Ii You help us to gain them
VIII eXalt the condition OF every Workingman
nd MECHANIC III our State. So now rally my
f1ends ana make the victory decisive for Jno.
1aui, John >. w ise and the Readjuster party
throughout the State.
AN AUGUSTA Co. MECHANIC.