The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-09-23

the most ordinary mind. Let the Two par
ties be judged by them, and the verdict
rendered by the people, who constitute the
government, as to the fidelity, honesty and
efficiency of each. We ask nothing more
than that the people shall read, and heed,
and consider the history of the two par
ties-the results of their administration,
and then render their verdict at the polls.
as honest, patr lotto American citizens
should.
Peace Hath Her Victories.
That ''peace hath her victories no less
renowned than war" is illustrated in the
following appeal of Gen. Lucius Fairchild,
Commander in Chief of the Grand Army
Of the Republic Gen. Fairchild is Wis
consin soldier, and carries an armless
sleeve in testimony of his courage and he
roism on the field in defense of the Union.
He has visited Charleston twice since the
desolation of the earthquake, to acquaint
himself personally with the extent of the
damage and suffering, and the needs of the
people, AS a consequence the following
appeal has been issued:
Comrades of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie: With you have been profoundly touched
by the great calamity to Charleston and vicin-
ity, caused by the recent earthquake. came
here as your representative to learn the exact
facts as TO the necessities of the people, and to
take such action as the occasion might require.
The situation is briefly follows The imme-
diate demand for food is promptly answered by
funds already contributed, but there is a class
Of citizens whose houses are more or less shat
tered, and who have no means wherewith to
ing houseless, have nevertheless suffered loss
of personal property, require aid from abroad.
1t will be to them continued calamity, I'M
less help is rendered. The community have
done and are doing everything in their power.
large sum of money is required to do all that
ought to be done. This condition of affairs
warrants immediate and extraordinary effort.
1 feel confident that every comrade is anxious
to do what he can to bring comfort and happ1-
ness to the stricken people. l, therefore re-
quest department commanders TO call upon
each post in their departments, at once, to
sums as comrades and their fellow-citizens in
cities, villages and on the farms may desire to
Go Ihe sneu b ee II Mil Se
sent to W. A. Courtenay, Mayor of Charleston
A committee. consisting Of seven OF the best
citizens OF Charleston, will see to it that the
money is properly applied to the relief only
of the worthy and necessitous.
(Signed) LUCIUS FAIRCHILD,
Commander in Chief g. A. r.
Not only is the Grand Army of the Re-
public moving for the relief of the strick
en- city of the South. but from all the North
ern States and cities contributions from
Boards of Trade, Charitable and Political
organizations and from individuals are
pouring in to attest the humane and kind
ly emotions which have been touched by
the sad and sorrowful incidents that
come up from the ruins of the proud and
beautiful Southern city Of the sea. The
remembrance of war times and the bitter
feelings then engendered on both sides of
the Potomac, only now serve to stimulate
to acts of kindness and evidences of re
turning sense of naiontal determination
kindred sympathy, and practice that
Christian charity which touches and moves
and melts the souls of men into common
brotherhood. In the hour of her affection
the soldiers of the N forth do not reproach
Charleston with the past, as to the part she
took in tine Inauguration of the bloodiest
conflict of modern times. There are no
words of censure or sentiment OF distruSt
uttered in the act of contributing the
means to relieve her sufferings. The fact
is recognized that a dispensation of Prov
idence has come upon her, and that people
of common heritage and common des-
tiny are the subjects of a sore affection
which they could not avert. Rising to the
demands Of the touching emergency, the
Commander of the Grand Army of the Re
public, composed of men who met in hos
tile conflict many of the victims of there
cent disaster which has turned gladness
into mourning and laid in ruins the happy
homes where peace and plenty but few
weeks.ago reigned, issues his appeal to his
ly and literally are they responding.
What rebuke is presented in this feel
ing address of Gen. Fairchld to the re-
sentfu1 spirit as found yet ranking in the
breasts of some who fought on the South
ern side. Instead of appeals for fraternai-
ization, and to the higher emotions and
inspirations of our better natures, we have
infammatory invocations to remember
the days of reconstruction, to hug and
nurse the unholy passions which sprang
from the strifes of sections. and to use the
ballot as an instrument to crystalize such
sentiments into perpetual hatred. We
live in Christian era, with the benign in
fuence of the teachings of the Great Mas
Ter inviting us to charity and brotherly
love, commanding us when smitten upon
one cheek to turn the other, and condemn
ing the reviler and strife-promoter as the
chief among offenders. Such is, indeed,
the premise of all order, and sobriety, and
good deeds in the social organism. and
when an appeal is made to the darkest pas
sions of the human heart, it is not unrea
sonable to assume that the end sought to
be obtained is not the welfare of our fel,
low men.
If the soldiers Of the North who battled
for the preservation of the Union and to
maintain unimpared the integrity. and
grandeur of our government, forgetting
and forgiving all past offenses,-are ready
to sponge off the past-is it asking
too much that they be met at least half
way, and truce ordered to the appeals to
sectional passion and the reminding of the
fires of sectional hatef
We believe the people of Virginia are
ready for the verdict, and that it will be in
behalf of determination, peace and good
will towards the noble men and those they
represent who are now offering up their
means to alleviate the suferings of the af-
fiicted people of stricken Charleston,
Roanoke having subscribed 100000 for
the projected railroad into Craig county,
it is conceded that that city will be made |
a terminal point. Roanoke is enjoying an
boom, and well deserves it.
Her citizens are alive to the welfare of the |
place, and spare neither money nor energy |
to promote it.
A meeting of Independent Democrats |
was held at Accomac C. FL. on the 16th.,
at which resolutions were adopted declar-
ing against Mr.. Croxton, the Democratic
nominee for Congress, and in favor of Mr..
Rrorn tho RnnuhIican candidate JudOp