The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-09-24

agement. On the part Of the ReadJuster-
there is an earnestness and
determination which have net been mani
it is not given to rant and parade and
show. But it is none the less the pleeur-
sor of revolution. Changes of public
opinion, = says Macanley, like changes in
the atmosphere. that come on slowly and
unperceptibly, make themselves more and
more widely felt, till by a sort of silent
sympathy, they spread to the remotest
corners of the land And such is the char
acter Of the change in the Southwest. 1t
needs neither argument nor appeal TO con-
vince the man who labors with his hands
that his lot is a harder one since the reign
ing party came into power. In that sec
ton the idlers are few. The men are a
sturdy class who were raised to earn their
bread in the sweat of their LrOw. They
are neither Office holders nor Office seekers.
They are benefited or injured by the
change of government in the degree that
such change affects the general business
of the country. They are interested i'll
legislation to the extent that such legis-
lation reaches down and exerts good or
bad effect upon their humble callings. In
contemplating the results OF democratic
ascendency in the nation, they feel the in
fiuence Of the change. The argument is
ever present with then. It requires no
fervid eloquence to bring it out in bold
relief. 1t goes with them to their daily
work. 1t rises unbidden at the scantily
furnished table. It is reflected in the eyes
of their children and it hauntS them IN
their dreams. Go where they may. turn
how they will, it thrusts itself forward.
They kaao,c what democracy has brought
to them. They know what it has cost and
what it has conferred, and it is this
knowledge which will manifest itself,
when the time comes to strike against
those who once deceived them.
Before November comes the bugle and
the brass band business will be estimated
at It's true value. Even now the more
sensible and far-seeing Democrats per-
ceive that buster and blow and fuss and
| feathers don't make votes. So far as our
observation extends Fitz Lees visit to
the Valley has been utterly barren OF re-
suits. In Rockbridge where bespoke four
| or five times and was escorted around by
so.called cavalry. the republican chances
for carrying the county are. better than
they have been for.years. We don't know
that this is a result of Fitz Lees visit,
but this we do know, that the Republicans
| of Rockbridge are more determined, more
earnest, more confident than they have
ever been before. And this confidence is
not without solid foundation to rest
upon. 1t is not the outgrowth OF buster
ard blow and brag. 1t does not arise from
the fieeting enthusiasm Of day, Or the
idle vaporings of political optimists. 1t
is based upon actual changes that have
taken plaee-upon systematic and thor
ough organization-bu most of all upon
| the awakening of the common people to
a realization of the true meaning OF DEM
ocratic ascendency and the consequences
| it entails.
In Augusta the effect of Lees speech
and presence was but to confirm the Re
publicans in their purpose.to assist in his
defeat. And the ranks in this county
stand solid. There are murmurs OF dis
content and curses not loud but deep. But
they do not come from Republicans.
They come from the men who have been
deceived by democratic promises-who
have worked untiringly for the party and
when the fruits of their labor were real
lied were turned from the table they had
prepared, to make room for political dead
beats. They come from the men who
have given their time and what money
they could spare to the democratic cause,
and the return they have received is en-
forced idleness, and the prospect OF winter
and no work. They come from the men
who have been deceived by the barefaced,
i'll conceived trickery Of assumed leaders,
who have had thrust upon them candidates
that do not represent the choice of the
people, but do represent the influence and
domination Of a ring to whom the people
of the county must bow in humiliation.
And they come from that army of silent
thinkers who make no parade of their po-
litical opinions, but who see in the result
of the national election, and the record of
the last legislature, menace to the inter-
ests of the country and the liberties of the
masses.
In Rockingham, two weeks ago, the
prospect was not inviting. But fort
night and Fltz Lee have wrought change
there for the better. The discomfort has
practically disappeared, and with united
front the Republicans have buckled down
to earnest work and the assurance Of VIC
tory. If the heart of the Valley is an in
dex to the temper of the people through
out the States fair criterion of the gen.
eral condition-the result in November
will not be involved in doubt. The great,
silent, balancing force is operating slowly
it may be, but none the less surely. This
contest is to be decided not by brass bands,
nor epaulets, nor bugles, nor gilt buttons,
but by the sober, second-thought voters
who will be guided in their action by re-
gard for the interests of the State and the
rights of the people.
It seems that Georgia is getting tired of
her much talked.of railroad law. Its ar
bitrary provisionsEhave n0tscontributed to
the construction of railroads, nor adyer-
IL = a. Al