The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-07-24
Opening the Campaign.

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Opening the Campaign.
AN IMMENSE AUDIENCE IN HARRISON
BURG sPEECHEssBY GENT. MALONE,
COL. II. C. PARSONS, HON. F. S. BLAIR.
AND HON. JNo. S. WISE, &C.-A DAY
THAT WILL LONG BE REMEMBERED.
On Monday last occurred the formal open
ing of the presidential campaign on behalf
OF the Virginia Republicans. Old Rocking
ham led off in the good work and such an
outpouring of the people from the county
and all adjacent sections, has, perhaps,
never been known in the history of polit-
ical gatherings in Harrisonburg. The town
was one mass of moving humanity. 1t is
a low estimate to place the number of
voters who were crowded around the stand
and into the streets near by at 5000.
When the train from the South reached
Stanton, extra coaches had to be hooked
Oh, and at Mt. Crawford another was
added. Still the accommodations were in
sufficient. Seats, aisles. and platforms
were crowded. and predictions of acct
dents Were freely INDUCED. Fortunately
none occurred. AT the Hwxisonburg depot
the passengers poured out, and headed by
the Mt. Sidney Band, and the handsome
new banner Of the Blaine and Logan club
of Staunton, the procession moved down
Main street. Altogether, including Re-
publicans. Democrats and neutrals, it ex-
tended from the depot for fully an eighth
of annie i'll ranks of two, three and four.
In the Courtyard had been erected a SUBJ
stantial platform. decorated with flags, and
white and black plumes. presenting very
handsome appearance. Three brass bands
were present, the one from Edinburg sport
ing graceful. new white plumes in their
helmets, and that from Woodstock also
being uniformed.
1t was near twelve O'Clock when tile
speaking commenced, and when
GENERAL MALONE
was happily introduced by DR.. Webb,
the dscrowned Senator of Rockingham, a
perfect sea Of upturned faces greeted him
and a generous cheer was given.
The speaker commenced by thanking the
audience for the warmth Of welcome ex-
tended. Such an outpourins was. he
said, the inspiration of II never failing
manhood /; love of liberty and devotion TO
the welfare of the State. When partizan
excuses overstep the bounds prescribed
for the government of organized society
and delegated trust is inisused to abridge
the rights and liberties of the people. the
issue must he met by men who know their
rights and dare maintain them. True it
is that the election in which you are about
to participate does not comprehend an or
ganization on State questions, but it is
also true that the results to follow must
shape the future in that respect. AS all
integral part of Il great nation of more
than fifty millions of people. you have a
high duty to perform, affecting alike the
common interests of all. Your relations
to the national government are of prime
Importance. The signs until lately have
been unpropitious. You are greatly con-
cerned inhaving friendly federal relations.
Whether this friendliness shall continue
as now, it is for you to say. Upon the
Bourbon party rests the responsibility for
the sectionalism that has brought upon
you as citizens of Virginia a degree of
decay and retrbgression. ThisEis verified
by the fact that our State, once the fore
most, is now the fifteenth in grade and in
population. Under Democracy you have
gone backwards. Need recur to the ad
attest the correctness of this declaration p
Shall remindyo that during the ten years
the Democratic party controlled the State
they labored without result to settle one
vital question ?, To settle that question
not in accordance with your rights and in
terests, but at the dictation of and in the
interest of aliensY During its term of.
control, every legislative device was en-
ployed to saddle upon you and your chill
dren debt, the principal of which was
thirteen millions more than yoll honestly
owed. sr-~- ''.f's. y,
The speaker briefly reviewed the condi- I
tion of the State and it's various interests
prior to 1879, and stated that the overthrow
of the party in 1883, had been brought
about not by the exercise of reason and
Judgment and sound discretion, (else why
were faithful agents turned out to make
room for those who had abused every trust
confided to them p but by methods which,
in his Judgment, were disgrace to the
men who employed them. Those methods, 4
he said, eliminated in the predetermined
massacre of your people. The false and
vicious Danville circular was distributed
from Democratic headquarters, and the
massacre was foretold as a thing to happen
AS the final result of the methods used
to overthrow the judgment Of a free
people. The speaker then referred to the
last legislature, and said that for himself
he would cease to have any self-respect if
he could find it possible to vote the Bour-
bon ticket.
But, the speaker continued, there are
other considerations which should direct
your political conduct. If there is any
one interest which concerns the people of
Virginia, it is the interest we have in the
policy of protecting manufacturing indus
tries and promoting labor. | need not
carry you beyond the boundaries of this
State to establish this assertion. New
England can i'll no respect be compared to
Virginia in natural advantages /; yet in
New England you find happy, prosperous
people, surrounded by churches, schools,
and all that go to make up refined and
cultivated society. In spite of it's natural
sterility Of soil, agriculture is pros
porous. Whence come all these ? From
manufactures and diversified industries.
What are your interests? What are the
interests of the Valley which are not to be
benefited by the tariff? Mark the results
that have followed the enforcement of a
protective tariff by the Republican party.
In 1860, there were lao large manufactures;
in 1880, 224 in 1860, our capital was one