The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-10-18
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MONTREAL, VA, Oct 49, 1883.
Editors Tall q Fnginan:
TO day after a weeks notice bv orr free
trade frierdS that here would be pole rails
ing and free barbecue here. and that speakers
from a distance would he here to toll the DO s
what to do on election day, behold when tho
hour arrived for these Instructions TO be given
Capt. Thos. Whitehead. OF Amherst county
and four of our young Nelson lawyers were
here to teach the people an old fashioned free
trade lesson. The Captain. old Wing and
protectionist led Off, and when he lodged the
sugar and whiskey trusts could not keep
from smiling. When he mentioned free wool.
| could imagine saw the Sheep-ralsers looking
cross-eyed at him, and saying Captain you are
off of your balance. you thing these people at
Montreal are mountaineerS and have not been
reading and study ing these questions.
There were rs persons listening to the
sneaker. 80 of whom were Republicans, and tn 9
batter enjoyed his argument better than the 10
Democrats, because many of the Democrats
were READ ing and thinking men and they knew
better than the Captain could tell them.
The next speaker was lawyer b. L. Gordon.
our neighbOr. He SAID but little, but very
election day and do their duty. At least 50 of
his hearers had decided to do this before they
come to near the speakers and to eat their
mutton, beef and snOat.
Then before the hearers had oil left their
seats. a nephew of Capt. Whitehead was called
to the stand VITO closed the days work very
quietIy-not receiving much us one cheer.
The Republicans had no interest in the days
work. except to enjoy what they saw and heard
and the floating OF their large and beautiful
Harrison, Morton and IOst flag that had been
playing in the breezes for more than five weeks
i his same Oiu ildS VI Outf ilDdl0u our libhle
Jake to victory two years ago, and the same
flag will accomplish the same object again ON
9th of November next. especially, if we have
few more fine barbscues, and speakers from a
distance
We, in our jocular way. said to DR.. g.. that
after hearing the turee distinguished speakers
Of to Gay that Nelson would go Democratic by
q big majority agreeing with him by 300. and
then added that PennSyl VanIa would give his
Ticket least 5000 majority.
The Republicans of this county are not all Sin
rags" as is sometimes charged by our free trade
rs II i,oyvX 70 3apa
brave. who did their duty: farmers, who wear
good clothes, collars, cravats, gloves, and carry
IAN y canes. and money in their pockets
Brother =. don't go in rags; he is rich. and
served years in the army. The Gs, why
they are perfectly easy. [ saw two of them at
The fine carriage and two fine horses they were
driving. Uncle Jimmie S boys, 5 of them, they
remind me of old independent farmers. Uncle
Todd'S boys! my goodness what crops, and
what fine clothes and horses and best of all
what noble and brave soldiers! L happened to
know one of them in tie hours of trouble. Our
Johnnie, If the war had iasted long enough, he
and your humble servant would haYe COM
manGed bTigadeS of brave men, Uncle Billie,
who is not, but furn ished boys in the late 1u-
are Republicans. some are in rags lis true,
bat the cause is obvious, the old man lent his
money, before the war, to Democrats vino paid
him since in bankrupt notices, and the poor
b': haYe not since rallied, part OF which are
afflicted.
here are P. o., w. o, #, L., oar Yorthy
friends, h. NJ, II r, j. L., S. l.. M. e., yea nun
dreti5 of others who wear good clothes and are
Independent, and are going to vote for pr tee
non aud against free trade and secession De
moor ICY. nen so much for their so-called Rag
Brigade. Yours truly. AN OLD OTTER.