The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-10-29

ABLE AND STIRRING ADDRESS.
The most casual observer could not have
failed to notice an unusual degree OF ex-
element On the streets last Monday. The
October Court in election year is regarded
pretty generally as the time when each of
the political parties puts forth its final
effort in the speaking line, and there is al
ways great rivalry between the two as to
which shall present the superior attraction.
The first returns from Ohio were scarcely
il before the Republicans of Augusta
wired their congratulations to the Gov
ernor-elect, and extended to him a cordial
invitation to address the people at Staun-
ton on Monday last. They knew his power
as public speaker. A year before he had
come among us a stranger. and carried
away the hearts of our people. Since then
there has been a warm welcome for Jos. b.
Foraker, wherever and whenever he
touched Virginia soil. and especially is
this the case in Augusta county. 1t was
not surprising therefore that when his ac-
ceptance of the invitation came, it was
hailed with cheer, or that the reception
accorded him was such as few men could
have ELECTED. No special effort was made
to work up a crowd. Nor was it neces-
sary. The simple assurance that he would
speak was sufficient to stir up an enthn-
siasm and create an interest, the like of
which is seldom seen in this section.
To offset the effect of his visit, the Dem
ocrats had invited one of the ablest, if not
the ablest man they have in the two Vir-
ginias-Hon. ii. S. Walker, of Charleston,
w. Va, to appear here on the same day
as counter attraction, and III that Way
sought to diminish the number of those Who
would make up the audience of the Ohio
champion. They had engaged the skating
rink, a large building, and had brass band
to parade the streets to draw thither the
crowd. But it was no use. When the
hour came, the simple ringing of the
Court House bell announced that Judge
Foraker was about to commence, and III
ten minutes the room was packed and
TANNED with voters. whilst hundreds were
turned away unable to gain admittance
This is the same building in which Lee
and Daniel spoke and it was then an
nounced np0n Democratic authority that
1000 people heard them. That WASH t
true, for the capacity of the Court House
is between 700 and 500. but it is true that
Foraker had 90 per cent. more voters to
hear him than Lee and Daniel, for when
the latter spoke here large proportion Of
the audience was ladies and boys, whilst
on Monday ninety nine -hundredths were
actual voters wedged in like sardines.
AS Judge Foraker and Mr.. Page Morris
entered the house wild cheer went up.
and throughout the whole of the speeches
the enthusiasm was continuous. The
wear and tear of heated political contest
seems to have but prepared Oliio's gifted
son for greater effort. Notwithstanding
constant travel and want oil sleep lie APP
peared as fresh as the morning. in splell-
did trim and voice. One Of the most able
and fascinating speakers in the Unicn. lie
holds the attention of his audience with
out apparent effort. 1t is refreshing to
hear him. He deals in no abuse. A
stranger to epithet and personal denuncia-
tion, he presents his subject from a broad,
statesmanlike standpoint. discussing prin-
ciples governmental policies and their
effects, so clearly and logically that the
humblest understand and appreciate Tie
| /, to
tempt at display no empty conglomera-
ton of words, but al thought in every sem
tence, a fact in every line, making a mas
terly presentation, illustrated by pointed
incidents and impressed with the sincerity
of deep conviction. Through it all RUS q
vein of bubbling good humor that soon De-
comes infectious and carries the syinpa-
thy as well as the reason and the judgment
of his audience wherever he may leal
JUDGE FORAKER'S ADDRESS.
When the cheering had somewhat sub :
sided, and the damned crowd had been
wedged in SO closely that none could
move, Mr.. J. Yost, in the absence of the
County Chairman, introduced the speaker.
AS he rose to his feet a deafening yell vent
up and for more than minute he MAS nm
able to proceed.
Judge Foraker commenced with re.
calling his visit to Stanton, a year ego,
when he met with such a hearty reception.
and a reference to the Congressional fight
of last fall in this district He then said
that the question had been asked, why lie,
the representative of another state, Should
come into Virginia to interfere in her do
nestle affairs. He was present not to dis
cuss State matters, but to take a broader
view of some of the m ore important qGes-
lions at issue, questions affecting Vir-
ginia, Ohio and the whole union. lie felt
that he had right to come to Virginia,
and judging from the cordial and enthusi-
astic welcome accorded him, he believed
that the people of the State fully recog-
nized that right. In advance of his COM
ing Democratic papers had declared that
he ought not to be listened to, and one CT
them Quoting from the Richmond State)
had preferred this Indictment against
him 1.-The man who stands foremost be-
fore the country as the traducer of Vir-
glnia, as the man who has spit upon her,
stamped upon her good name, ridlculed
her people, laughed at her woman, jeered
at her poverty and scornfully held her up
with the gloating eye of a coward at safe
distance from the foe, against whom he
froths his venom-that man is J. B. For
aker. -
He wanted to enter a plea to that in
dictment. and to every count save one.
have never, said the speaker, in public or
in private. given utterance to the senti-
ments ascribed TO me there have never
traduced Virginia have never stamped
upon her good name; ridiculed her men,
laughed at her woman or jeered at her
poverty, and to these counts l enter an
emphatic plea of not guilty but to the
count that have spit upon her / must
plead guilty and throw myself upon the
mercy of the country, for in travelling
through Virginia, as frequently have, /
have had occasion to spit, and could not
without serious inconvenience help spit