The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-03-20
The valley.

a healthy tone of public sentiment and
give evidence that an earnest effort will
be made to give the electoral vote of Vir-
ginia to the nominees of the Republican
Convention which is to assemble in Chica-
go on the Sd of June. The meeting in the
Court House, of this place, on Saturday
last was well attended, notwithstanding
the unfayorable condition of the roads and
weather. 1t was composed of
Republicans and Readjus-
tiers the proceedings were harmonious,
and the delegates elected gentlemen of in
fluence and character, who compare favor
ably with any political delegation ever sent
from the county. There was an earnest
ness of purpose and firmness of convic-
ton manifested that evidenced the deep
concern felt in the contest upon which we
are about to enter and full determina-
ton to redeem the State from Bourbon
control, if possible. The aim in the
choice of delegates seemed to be to throw
such influence into the State Convention
as would assure wise action and the choice
of delegates to the National Convention,
who will be capable of compromising the
situation, and giving the vote of this
State IN that body for such candidates
as will inspire the confidence of the coun-
try.
The mass meeting held in Harrisonburg
on last Monday was one of the best repre-
sentative bodies of the sterling people OF
that county we have ever seen assembled
in the Court House. The room was
crowded. Hon. John F. Lewis presided,
and remarks were made by Mr.. Lewis,
DR.. Webb, Capt. Lurty, Rockingham
aoarl e.>lA0-DUugIasu Iay, WHICH Demon
strated the sympathy of the speakers in the
object of the meeting. There was not dis
cordant note nor an utterance from either
speaker that did not meet with approval
from the large audience present. DR.. Webb
was particularly fell citous in the brief
remarks he made, and got off an excellent
hit in the paraphazing of familiar quota
tion: '.Marcellus more true glory feels, than
Caesar with the'' United Brethren at his
heels. To those of our readers who are
not familiar with the local application, we
will state That DR.. Webb was elected to
the State Senate from Rockingham county
last fall over Mr.. G. b. Keezel. The
Bourbons in the Legislature, to secure a
a two-thirds majority, unseated DR.. Webb
and seated Mr.. Keezel. The latter in his
capacity of Senator opposed the confirma-
ton of Rev. A. P. Funkhouser as County
Superintendent Of Schools, and wrote let
ter to the Superintendent of Public Instruc-
ton, in which he gave as one of the rea-
sons of his opposition, that Mr.. Funk
houser practically favored social equality,
and that the United Brethren Church. of
which he is member, held advanced
ideas" On this question. This gratuitous
reflection on this denomination naturally
created considerable feeling among its
membership, many of whom voted for Mr..
Keezel, and has aroused resentment that
will not be easily placated.
The resolutions adopted by the meeting
were bold, broad and pointed, as will be
seen by reading them as published in an
other column. In speaking to them Capt.
Lurty. a Straightout Republican, said that
the Republican who would not endorse
and''go into the approaching contest. under
them, could have no other place politically,
than in the Bourbon ranks.
Ex-senator Lewis fully endorsed them
and addressed some persuasive remarks to-
those Republicans who were hesitating as
to the course they would pursue. DR.. Webb
and Messrs. r. Paul and c.. D. Gray gave
their hearty support to the sentiments
formulated in the resolves, and the au-
dience manifested their approval by ther
adoption without dissenting voice.
The action of the two large and intelli-
gent counties of Augusta and Rocking
ham, where there are at least twenty-five
hundred Readjusters who never voted
for a Republican in national con-
test, shows the drift of public senti-
ment in the Valley-at one time the great
stronghold of the Democratic party. The
action Of the present Legislature and the
revolutionary character Of its proceedings
have opened the eyes Of the people to what
this modern Democratic party means, and
W hat it will do to attain and retain power
The very means to which it has resorted
in the hope of perpetuating it's rule, have
caused revulsion in popular feeling that
we have never before witnessed and an in
tensity of apprehension that finds express
c;o,, IN, a dotarp,; o,, tho MORT of com q
who have always acted with it, never again
to support it.
If similar feeling prevails in other Sec
tions of the State and each county shall
select gentlemen of equal intelligence and
character to those chosen in Augusta and
Rockingham, to represent them at Rich
mond on the 23d of April, we may expect
one of the most imposing and impressive
assemblages on that occasion that has ever
convened in Virginia. Certainly there
has been abundant provocation to excite
the fears of the great mass of the law
abiding people of the Commonwealth, and
these first indications of that feeling as
sure us that it will find expression in tenn
perate sentences and determined resolve.
1t is time which calls for manifestation
of the courage of the constituent body-a
courage that will consider party names
as subordinate to the great duty of admin
istering rebuke to the partizan malig-
nants who have so recklessly abused power
and inflicted such cruel wrongs on the
Commonwealth. A duty as imperative as
ever confronted a people is present with
the voters of Virginia and on the manner
in which they will discharge it in Novem-
Der next will depend much the future pro-
gress and prosperity of the Common
wealth.
A Straw.
In conversation. a few days ago, with an
citizen Of the Valley, who has |
been visiting Ohio, he remarked |
that there was decided change going on
there in public sentiment. Referring to |
certain influential families in the Buckeye |
State who have ALWAYS voted the Demo- i