Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-10-24
ETO THE FREEMEN
OF
Shenandoah County, Va.

or from prejudice. refuse 10 read and
hear the presentation of The respective
claims OF both parties, they are not
freemen. We trust That among the
descendants of freemen who find their
homes in old Shenandoah there are o
such bondsmen. Therefore, howe yer,
feeble may be our efforts, to lay before
you the justice of our cause and to dis
robe it from the film of manufactured
charges that are broaght against it, we
feel confident that very freeman will,
at least. give US hearing.
We had not thought 10 address the
voters of Shenandoah again, during this
canvass. through this medium, but we
would fail in our duty 10 or felow-men
OF whatever political party, did we fail
to notice the address issued by the Re-
adiuster County Committee last week,
and which is being scattered through
out the county.
We, therefore, ask you 20 bear with
US, a0d we will be as concise as justice
to the cause will permit. We will have
to quote largely from that Address.
The say For nearly twelve years
we have struggled together for the
principle, Of Rea 1iustment." Have
they Have you? You all know that
the party lines on this question have
not been drawn for half of that timc.-
There is not signature to that Ad.
dress of a man who was a Readjuster,
as REIMBURSEMENT is now known, twelve
years ago. Strayer was then voting to
fund The whole debt, West Virginla's
share and all, at SIX per cent; others
were not with them IN 1879, among
them their chairman, and one of this
committee nerer has believed in the
views of the party on the debt.
Again 1.-THE situation is widely diff.
fereut to-day from that of 1879 and
1881" This is evident, All questions
that then divided Democrats have been
settled. The situation IS, indeed,
changed. Since then Mahone's combi-
nation with Camarons Of Pennsylvania
to break the solid South, and Republic
caulze Virginia has been given TO the
public by Cooper, Chairman Of the
Pennsylvania State Republican com
mittee, and the bosom FREUD Of the
Camerons. Malone, who, three years
ago, led his party iu the support of a
seeming Democratic ticket 10 favor Of
Hancock, is now telling all men,
through the supplement of the Wing,
that the whole party fully expect to
support the Republican Presidential
ticket in 1884. Since that time the
national Democratic party has gained
such an ascendaucy, that Democratic
administration in 1884 is assured.
There has indeed been a revolution
since 1879 and lSSl-a revolt of free
men against monopolles and centralized
power-a revolt Of the sense Of honesty
of the people against The corruption OF
the Republican party.
They tell the people: I'VE have a
State government on terms of amity
with the general government" What
do they mean Have we been at war
with the Federal government? Have
we not respected its authority and
obeyed its laws? Has there been any
elashing between these respective
governments since the war? Fellow
citizens, do not be led into confusing
the federal government with the Re-
publican party? The respective duties
and authorities of the State and federal
govern ments are we'll settled and de-
fined. There is no room Tor ccnflict.-
The only difference there can be, is 10
the political complexion of the different
parties that may have the control of
them. They speak to you in riddles
They do not wish to be understood
They mean that the stalwart. corrupt
centralizing, high protective tariff,
monopoly-protectlng Republican party
has control OF the federal government,
and that that administration has en-
tered into a bargain with Malone 10
give him contro! of all the federal pa
lronage in Virginia in return for his
furnishing them with a dependent
State government here, in full accord
and sympathy with il.
They can mean nothing less. They
do mean nothing less.
Again they tell you: 1--WE have
money in the treasury to meet any and
all contingencies" What contingencies
arise? 1.-THE State becomes sick and has
doctor bills 10 pay, it is the fault of the
officers.
If the government is honestly adj
ministered, there can be nothing 10
meet but the yearly expenses of govern
ment, the yearly allowance to the
free schools, and the yearly accruing
interest on debt as settled under the
RiddlebergeT bill. This is all provided
for by yearly tax. Then what need
of surplus 1t is lrue there is sur
plus Of over 81 100000 in the State
treasury. The legislature has no right
to levy more taxes than are required
for the legitimate purpose of govern
ment. The coalition party had all the
statistics before them when they got up
the tax bill and knew how much would |
be required. If, knowing this, they
levied tax sufficient TO meet these ex.
penses and leave a surplus OF over