The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-08-27

AND STEWART, DEMOCRAT, ADDRESSES
HIS PARTY FRIENDS IN THE COURT
HOUSE.
Virginians are strange people. Before
the excitement comes on they are contin-
ually deprecating political commotion and
constantly giving expression to their de-
sire for longer intermissions between
elections and an abatement of the spirit
of party which once or twice every year is
rampant throughout the State. No sooner
however, is the first alarum sounded, than
all the old fire of battle seems famed into
a blaze, and conservative takers are sud-
denly transformed into partizan ''whoop-
ers. The skirmish line of the fight of
1885, reached Staunton on Monday last.
Although but little advertised, it found
both parties prepared. The Republicans
ready to give battle on any terms and the
Democrats prepared to shelter behind the
edict Of the boss, and retire in the face of
the enemy.
| Col. r. B. Berkeley, Of Farmyille, had
been announced to address the voters of
the county in advocacy of the claims of
the Republican nominees, and Speaker
Chas. f. Stuart of Alexandria was billed
to represent the democratic candidates
and cause. Both gentlemen were prompt
ly on hand, and before the hour of meet
ing, Mr.. w. E. Craig, Chairman of the
Republican County Committee, addressed
a note to Capt. James Bumgardner, Jr.,
Chairman of the Democratic Committee
proposing joint discussion. The terms
submitted were that the first speaker
should lead off in one hour, the second to
follow in one and a-half hours and the
first to have rejoinder of thirty minutes.
1t was left to the chairman Of the Demo-
cratic Committee to say which of the
speakers should lead off. In other words
a fair proposition for division of time
was submitted, and the friends of the DEM
ocratic party were to determine whether
their champion should lead off or follow
Pending reply to this proposal VIR-
OMAN reporter briefly interviewed
number Of Democrats and without eXcep-
Ition they expressed themselves in favor of
a discussion, always adding, however that
they had nothing to do with the matter
and would graciously, submit to any de-
clsion of the party authorities. AS was
iexpected, Capt. Bumgardner' reply to the
challenge was that a discussion was de-
c,ned on the ground of orders from head
Quarters.
The Democrats having secured the use
Of the court room, an impromtu stand was
provided for Col. Berkeley on the court
house portico, his audience standing in
The yard.
1t was a large audience and trying
position for a speaker. The August sun
broiled full upon his barred head, as Chair
man Craig presented him, and it required
a strong exercise of the lungs for his voice
TO reach to the outskirts Of the packed
crowd. That he did reach their ears and
their hearts as well, constant Interruptions
of applause showed. Col. Berkeley is
favorite with Augusta Republicans. They
have a lively recollection of the able
sp, ech he made in the Opera House just a
year ago, and when he stepped to the front
on Monday last they gave him a royal
greeting.
After referring to the regret he expe-
rienced at the refusal of the Democratic
managers TO permit the people to hear
both sides of the question, he launched in
to his subject with vigor that abated not
for an hour or more, and held his hearers
to the end.
He came, be declared, TO deal with living
issues to discuss before the people those
interests in which sthey were SO deeply
4 concerned, and to hay before them plain
| common sense facts. for their considera-
ton. 1t is usual with speakers in every
campaign to declare that the contest is one
Of preeminent Importance. The signif-
canoe Of this election, however, cannot
well be exaggerated. 1t will have an i'm
Iportant bearing in both State and nation,
and the effects of the action of the next
legislature will be felt in Virginia for
years to come. Not only will a United
States Senator be elected. and the State
debt question come up for consideration,
but the county and circuit judges are to be
chosen, and that of itself should be incen-
/ tive sufficient to arouse every man to his
full duty.
Before determining in which behalf they
shall cast their ballots, the voters of Vir-
ginia should carefully weigh the questions
at issue. Prejudice and passion should be
laid aside and the race issue eliminated
| 7 Ia
to the colored voters as such, but he ad-
vised them to vote for the Republican
ticket, because the party it represented
was the friend of labor, and the colored
men are laborers.
4 AS preliminary to the consideration of
some of the planks Of the respective plat
forms, the speaker stated that he had been
charged with political somersaulting be-
cause he was once a Democrat and was
now Republican. The Democracy ought
to be the last in the world to challenge
man for political inconsistency. That
party was the originator of the funding
bill; it dropped from that position and
landed on the McCulloch bill. 1t read
every one out of the party who refused to
bow to McCulloch and denounced the Rid
dleberger bill with every epithet tongue
could command. 1t then turned from
McCulloch and embraced Riddleberger as
it's darling child, holding it so tight that
it strangled it. 1t abused Readjusters as
unfilss for decent associates and selected
Massey. the father of reputation, as it's
Amounted leader. 1t branded it's enemies
as thieves, and robbers, and ounces, and
then stole bodily their thoughts and decla-
rations.
In their recent platform the Republicans
declared in favor of free books, and the
Democrats echo the cry.
The Republican platform favors gen.
eral local option law and the Democrats
follow in an attempted dodge of the ques-
ton.
The Republicans announced their pur-
pose to lave better roads and to work
them by convict labor. and the Democrats
tackle along in the same rut.
The Republicans promise to reduce tho