News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1884-09-11


forded an excellent opportunity of
looking around the ex-Confederate
capital. 1t is replete with points of
interest connected with the late war,
and more than once was it made to
appear to me that the contest was
not ended and there is life in the con-
federacy still.
Old Libby Prison was one of the
first places that l visited. l had never
seen it before. 1t stands there as it
did in the days when the conflict for
human rights and the supremacy of
the nation ragged, and when our boys
in blue suffered with hunger, cold and
disease within.
The Legislature was in session, and
1 had an opportunity of conversing
with members of that body from both
political parties-for there are only
two-Bourbons and anti-BourEons.
There is no use wasting breath with
dyed -the-wool Virginia Democrat.
He's agin the Yankees, the United
States Rights, the Lost Cause, and
the whole outfit of that kind. l was
indeed astonished at the spirit Of re-
bellion that showed itself in so many
places. AS a native here in West
Virginia said to me, "those fellows
over the mountain weren't whipped
enough; that's what ails them"
But the people in Richmond and
the Virginia Legislature are not all
Bourbons by a long way. l talked
with several Re- adjusters and Straight
outs, and they expressed high hope Of
retaining the Old Dominion this fall.
In the southwestern and south-eas
era parts of the State there are strong
and unquestioned evidences of deser-
tons from the Democratic ranks and
augmentation of the numbers of the
Republican columns. l was assured
that with good organization, such as
was being perfected, and sharp, ear
nest and aggressive canvass, such as
it was proRoseda to carry on, Blaine
and Logan would secure The electoral
vote Of Old Virginia.
From Richmond l went to White
Sulphur Springs, just over the noun
tains in West Virginia; on my way
thither passing through some as won
derfully wild and picturesque scenery
as my eyes ever looked upon.
Nearly everybody in America has
heard or read something at some time
or other of White Sulphur Springs.
II is a place which for healthfulness
and delightfulness of climate and
beauty in itself and its surroundings
is entitled to everything good that has,
or can, was about to say, be said of
it. l don't like the water, however,
and don't think there is great deal
of health giving virtue in it. Soak a
couple of old fashioned sulphur
matches in glassful of water and
you get, so far as taste and odor goes,
about what the sulphur spring produc-
es. But there is another Waterfall,
pure, cold spring water from the
mountains to drink, and cool breez-
es from the everlasting hills to fan
your face, and a kind of delightful
healthfulness all around and in every
thing, and such good things to eat,
and everybody is so happy that White
Sulphur is made the queen of Ameri-
can inland summer resorts. The
place is pretty well patronized this
year, and better, l was told, than
since 1860, in which year it reached
the height of its popularity. The
war put an end to "summering" at
White Sulphur for several seasons,
and several years ago it was pur-
chased by some enterprising gentle
men, who have improved it and made
it all, and more, than it was in Eye
olden times"
w. w. Corcoran, Washington's
millionaire and philanthropist, is at
White Sulphur. ] saw him driving
out the other evening. He looked
hale and hearty, and but for the
white hairs that crown his head one
who did not know his age would guess
that he had not seen more than fifty
five or sixty summers.
l met a gentleman who lives near
White Sulphur Springs, and who has
lust returned from a horseback trip |
through Greenbrier, Nicholas, Web
ster and Braxton counties. He in
formed me that he was surprised to
find so many persons in those coun-
ties who had heretofore always acted |
with the Democratic party who de-
clare their intention of supporting
Blaine and Logan in the coming cleo
ton. ''And l did not fnd," he said,
ga single so-called Independent Re-
publican, or Republican, who said he
would support the Democratic ticket"
This gentleman is widely acquainted
throughout his State, and is a man of
sound, careful judgment. He said
that he is entirely convinced that
West Virginia will be carried by the
Republicans in both October and No
vember.
At White Sulphur Springs, and on
my way here, L met several Ohio pol
iticians who gave me their views of
the situation in the Buckeye State,
but of this l will tell you in my next,
only saying now that it was very en-
couraging to the Republican cause.