Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-09-01
LETTER FROM RAPPAHAKEoCK.
Correspondence of the Alexandria GAZETTE

FLINT HILL, Rappa0annoCk county, va,
August 29.-As a correspondent from Fair
fax one week, and from Rappahannock the
next, I may be expected to mention the
marked distinctions in soil, and difference
in general appearance of the two sections.
But as such comparisons might be odious
to some of your readers will desist. Hav-
ing been Fairfax man myself for some
wears I know how to sympathize with, as
we'll as to love and respect, her dear people
for their patient forbearance in gloomy sur
roundings, geographically speakiDgl and
for their stubborn resistance and final over
throw of Mahoneism and Dick Farrism in
their midst. Excuse this slight divergence,
as I only wish to give you the news from
this section of the State, so rarely heard
from through your much valued paper.
This whole county is blessed with fertile
soil gallant men, and robust, handsome
women. But this Wakefield district is the
garden spot" or, as her enthusiastic NJ. ID.
insists is the veritahle Eden of this coun-
try, an exact fac Simile of the spot described
in Sacred History. Should we ask for
further reasons for so holy comparison, he
will point to the surrounding mountains,
and from our already excited imagination
we think we recognize Sinai's handicapped
heights and hear its thunderings. Then
there flows from its base pellucid stream,
bearing the name Of Jordan Though OF no
known healing properties] which soon helps
to swell the feeble waters OF the Kappa
hammock, which also rise in the Blue Ridge
near by. This prosperous land is not ira
yersed by railway engines; nor does the
sound of one anywhere reach her borders.
- how,
and no foreign tongue, nor swagger-
ing dude, with his Yankee brogue, in
tests q single Highway, vale or hamlet.
migration is not needed, and hence no
glowing descriptions, nor hattering induce
ments are circulated by blarneying land
agents, and blithesome newspaper men.
Yet the far famed "Old Virginia hospitali-
ty" was never more generously dispensed
than is here at the present day, and the
'atch string" responds as promptly to
stranger as to friend. Knowing no North,
no Simultaneously, true merit and Stree
white," being the only requisites for ad-
mission TO the family board and 6reside
Farms are generally large and grazing is
the principal source of profit. But this
year that business has failed to be profitable
so far. Yet with q seasonable fall, the hun
dreds of cattle left may swell the profits to
the yearly average.
If there is any land here for sale there
are, no doubt, plenty of bidders among the
near neighbors, as such is invariably the
case, prices varying from twenty to forty
dollars per acre and advancing.
Taxes are lower than in any county Of
my knowledge, not amounting to more
than 70 cents on the hundred dollars, in
Guiding State tax. The schools are kept
open most of the year, and the roads we'll
worked.
Merchants and negroes do good bust
ness, and live well, judging the latter from
their fat, greasy appearance and saucy de.
meanor.
Doctors have to depend, for a support,
upon an extra garden spot" out of
town. Hence the field is not very in
viting to quacks or itinerant mounte.
banks, though "Indian DOCTORS" peddlers
and third.rate lawyers can find in every
community credulous class of citizens who,
for while, seem disposed to share with
them their hard earned substance, and |
am sorry to hear this county is not alto
gether exempt-even at the county seat
This is democratic county, too, and by a
nay, positive indication, of the inteli.
There are only four white men in this dis.
trict Mahoneites, so far as known, and it is
| thought good many of the darkies will
vote with the democrats in future. think
the republicans usually vote about 80 and
the democrats 15O heretofore mostly dark
les. There is good deal of indignation felt
over the result of the convention to nomi.
nate candidate for the Senate for this dis.
trict. This county was for Mr.. Rixey, of
Culpeper, as their preference, but had no
objection to Mr.. TWyman, of Madison, in
case he received the nomination in fairly
organized and impartially conducted con-
vention. But in the total absence of and
utter disregard of either las they claim, l
fear the differences will be hard to harmon
ize. This is no time for such dissension and
strife in our party, though I hope for the
good of our State all discordant elements
| will in due time throw off their gaseous and
| belligerent attitudes and rally around the
standard of democracy, regardless of the
| bearer, for such alone is true patriotism
| in our present emergency.
The State ticket is accepted with great
enthusiasm here. Now and then you find
man who "dislikes' Mr. Massey, but in
every case fails to give any intelligent rea
| son. Afraid and ashamed to say they dislike
Hliu loi LIS oil IeaoIuStef prluCipleS (aS Ills
record in the past is in perfect harmony
with our present position on the debt ques-
tom, they will squirm and twist and final.
ly decide she ought not to be preacher"
There are several parties spoken of as
aspirants for the distinguished honor ~ of
representing this county in the Legislature,
either of whom would make good repre-.
sentative, and will be elected, if nominated
as Barbour man, for the U. S. Senate.
These people have risen above encouraging
the isrces enacted by Independents, and
have been taught to regard such characters
as traitorously inclined. Experience, thou
best of teachers!
There is a good deal of complaint among
your subscribers here on account of the ir-
regularity in receiving the GAZETTE. Some
have threatened to stop the paper" Try
and correct this Mr.. Editor.
Since began writing this article I have
been informed of the nomination of Mr. D.
M Chichester for the House of Delegates by
the Fairfax county convention, which I
hope is well received by the whole people,