The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-10-08
How Fitz Lee and the Sun Entered
Madison.

How Fitz Lee and the Sun Entered
Madison.
In the course of his speech, at Luray
last week, Capt. Wise referred with great
effect to F. Lees sscritter companies, ,
and said
Fellow citizens, AT last my soul has
been satisfied in great longing and my
eyes have Toasted on a great pageant. |
have beheld one of those splendid and
enthusiastic cayalcades which, accord
ing to the Bourbon press, greet 1.-THE
nephew of his uncle wherever he goes in
his trinmphal progress through Virginia.
| At Madison. on Thursday last, the sun
rose bathing the historic hills and valleys
Of Piedmont with floods of mellow autumn
light. which seemed to concentrate with
peculiar brilliancy and warmth at the quiet
farmhouse honored as the resting-place
of Fitzhugh Smith. Like the Star OF
Bethlehem hanging Ter the humble man
ger. the monarch of light paused in its
diurnal course to gaze upon that noble
yisage which, illuminated by some hidden
fires within, returned its stare with a
fcountenance scarcely less ruddy than its
own, and acknowledged the compliment of
the call by a conscious glance which said
good morning, God of Light, we meet on
eq ual terms ;you are the ruler of earth
and sea. but | am leader of Virginia schiv-
airy and nephew of my uncle" Tue sun
| mounted his chariot, Fitzhugh Smith adj
justed his adipose to his uncle's saddle,
and esch filled with sublime consciousness
Of his own Importance proceeded on his
way to fill the world with wonder, joy, and
gladness.
Madison county quivered with the con-
seriousness of the presence Of these rival
inonarchs, and all went merry as a mar
riage bell, save now and then when the
ruddy visage of Fitz Smith was mistaken
for the noon-tide splendor of Old Sol, and
yiee versa.
Below the quiet village, which is the
county-seat, the chivalry of Madison as
sembled. The knights of Rappahannock,
Fauquier, Orange, Culpeper, Greene, Al
}.bemarle, and Madison had gathered to
their rendezvous to greet the hero of the
hour. From east and west, from north
and south. hurrying troops of horses over
twenty one years of age, and youths under
twenty-one proceeded to the trysting-
place. A weary traveller toiling in an
humble vehicle over a shocking road was
overtaken by gang of half-staryed horses
and yelling men and boys, led by corn
stalk captain, filled with corn-juice and
enthusiasm His martial bearing,
screaming "Close up!n as if advancing to
a mortal charge and rudely shouting 'Rah
for Lee!" would have made corpse laugh
at its own funeral.
With Comanche yell and rude and know
ing discourtesy this tatterdemalion rout
swept past in trotting, pacing, ambling,
galloping confusion to join the throng
upon the turnpike. There in martial ar
ray stood the Bombastes Furios army
awaiting the arrival of the great chieftain.
Tlny1pennons of home manufacture, at an
average cost of two for cent, were dis
tributed to decorate the flee bitten ears of
the raw-ribbed jades. Not National en-
blems Oh, no! The stars and stripes are
not at home in the ranks of Bourbonism.
Here and there the starry emblem might
be seen reluctantly displayed for effect,
but the favorite decoration was mean
ingless mixture of blue and red, or red and
white, to crafty the sight without offend
ing the prejudice Of the 'schivalry.n
While awaiting the arrival Of its great
commander the army proceeded to ssload"!
From bootleg and saddle-bag came forth
the 'pocket-pistol, loaded with new
made apple-jack from fence corner and
and decayed stump appeared the old oak
bucket and tin dippers and ever andanon
the champion was cheered and toasted
until bottles were empty and man was full
drinking eternal happiness to Fitzhugh
Smith and deep damnation to every Radi-
cal on earth until the infamed throng was
| prepared to go mad at the sight of Fitz or
to commit murder upon all who oppose
him.
| At last a hush of expectancy comes over
the assemblage. Bottles are stuffed away !!
| Steeds are mounted Keeling horsemen
are clumsily aligned! A vehicle appears
bearing the precious freight so long ex-
pectedl The wild, sweet music of the
| rebel yell" fills the woods and valleys. and
Fitzhugh Smith stands uncovered in the
presence Of his worshlppers
The unpretentious vehicle is set aside
the foaming stallion, gaily caparisoned, is
led fourth; the waddling obesity of the
best horseman' is soon astride /; mimic
review Is held and with yell and boot and
cheer, and threat of the mob, Fitzhugh
Smith advances to The head of his column
with the air of Napoleon at Austerlitz, 10
"ride down the enemies of Virginia. y
1 Thus advancing, as much pleased at tin
horn mimickry as child of ten years old
with a new toy, the 'shero'' reaches the
village, passes under cambria banner on
which his name is misspelt. bows with
the air of a Cid and drinks in the thin
cheering and cheap tldSel like an old maid
does attention at a party.
1 Little recks he, in his light-headed folly,
that of the forty cavalrymen of Madison
but thirteen follow him, while the others
stand on foot shouting, "Hurrah for
Wise!n Little recks he that the great
shout from the footmen on the sidewalk
is cheer for his opponent He hears the
wild hurrah, vain and conceited he appro-
pirates it to himself, and smiles and bows
until of sudden the truth dawns on him
and he claps his hat upon his head, grows
redder liz that be possible) /, looks straight
to the front, and rides on hot and angry.
i On comes the throng of all sorts, sizes
and conditions Six counties have con.
| tributed in the effort to make pageant
Boys not over fourteen years of age Re
publican c0lored voters who are paid 81
cents and furnished horse. accept be
cause it is the best pay they can obtain il
these Democratic hard times Men WHIT
do not live in Virginia Anybody every