Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-10-24
Speech OF Judge Christian


Judge Christian commenced by say
Ing 1t was a pleasure TO stand before
the Democracy Of the great 10th
Legion, and he knew he was among
his friends, although the faces before
him were those of strangers. He said
that he missed one familiar face that he
had hoped to see present, and that was
VIM. E. Cameron "a voice. He has
sprained his ankle.) He said he wanted
to correct a rumor that had gotten into
circulation that Mr.. Cameron had
spralned his leg by dancidn over the
news from Ohio There was no sadder
man in Virginia, over the Democratic
triumph in that State than Gov. Cam
eron except, possibly, Malone. He
then paid a glowing tribute to Gen.
Lee, who he said was to follow him.
He then related the incident which oc-
Cured during the last was, from which
the song "Hold the Fort, for | am
coming !" was taken. He said that
Ohio, the daughter Of Virginia, on the
9th instant, sent the same word
to her old Mother. Virginia, and the
news Of the grand victory of the DEM
ocracy in that State said "Hold the
Fort. for the country is ours:" Said
there were no Mahoneite guns fired in
Richmond over that great defeat OF Re-
publIcanlsm. Said there had been
many ankles sprained by the new from
that State last week. He spoke of the
regret he felt at not meeting Governor
Cameron, as he had expected. Said he
had met him on the Sth instant at
Mathews Court House, and he would
rather have seen him here than any
man in Virginia. He then said "dur-
ing my service of eighteen years on the
bench | never attended political
meeting nor listened to a political
speech. In my old-fashioned Virginia
notions of official propriety | had all
ways thought that one occupying high
official station aught not to bedraggle
his robes OF office IN the mire and dust
of the political arena. But 1t is said
this is new era, and mourn to learn
that "old things have passed away and
all things are become new" Some
things | fad are new 10 me-new TO
the people of this Commonwealth -
painfully new-withOut precedent 10
the history of Virginia and bumlliatiEg
TO every true son of Virginia. 1t is
new and painful thing to me to see the
Governor OF this great Commonwealth
leave tie Executive Mansion and come
down to the husiings, aud with the
robes of bis high Office wrapt aroun d
himself in the arena Of partisan politics.
ESPECIALLY is it new and strange to me
and never before heard Of in any State
government interiors with the election
of mem bers of the State Legislature,-
Not being one of the lalter-day saints
OF this new era, had thought in me
simplicity that the crowning glory Of
this republic and the principle imbedded
in State and Federal constitutions was
that the executive, legislative, and
judicial departments of the govern
ments should be separate and iIdepen-
dent of each other, and that there
should be no interference by the one
with the o,her. l had thought 10 my
simplicity that Governor when in
stalled in tfiice was the Governor Of
the Stale-was Governor of the whole
people--and not Of a political party;
that when raised 10 that high Office he
was clothed in the unspotted robes OF
Executive power 10 execute the laws
for the people. and not to promote the
interest OF political party and obey the
behests Of political boss. 1 say that
man Is not Governor of Virginia, but
he is partisan Governor, who seeks
by coming down 10 the hustings to in-
huence The election of a Legislature 10
suit his political views and 10 carry out
the policy of bis party. But this is in
deed new era, and strange things are
happening ln these disjoiuted times.
The landmarks of the glorious past are
fast fading out of sight. The Ship OF
State is drifting upon an unknown sea.
and if she be not rescued from the crew
now guiding her course God only knows
what storm may beat upon her, what
darkness may cover her. or what
whelming waves may engulf her But
as pitiable and humliating as this ex'
bibition IS TO od.fashioned Virginians
like myself, it is full Of encouragement
and hope for the success of our glorious
cause. 1t shows that The leaders Of ;he
Coalition party know their cause Is
desperate. 1t shows that the breach IS
already made and the ranks are break
ms all along the line, and Malone and
Cameron are now desperately rushing
to the front to stop the retreat and pres
vent panic. But they came TO the
rescue too late. The victory is already
ours. Readjuster Democra Is have now
had their eyes opened TO the fact that
they have been hoodwinked and be-
trayed aud are being led into the ranks
of their old enemy, the Republican
party, and now by whole regiments aud
brlgades they are marching back to the
standards Of the Democracy, aud on
the ldes of November the Black-and-
tan Coalition Republican party will be
swept from power by the cyclone Of