Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1889-09-17
Lively POLITICS at Woodstoek.
Intellectual attempts Of the Mahonettes
to Hotcl Mr.. R6ddte5erger DosCn.


The Stanton H5ndiedtor gives graphic de-
scription of the political field day at Wood
stock, Shenandoah county. Va, Monday last,
mention of which has already been made in
in the Sun. After describing the Democratic
meeting, which was addressed by Senator Cor
don, of Albermarle, aud Mr.. William r. Alex
ander, of Winchester, the VSHdicatOr contin-
ues:
But the excitement of the day lay in another
direction. short distance off are two hotels
on opposite sides of the street, facing each
other. On the porch of one of them was Gen.
e. G. Darlington, venerable ex-federal office
holder and Ex-Virginian, of Washington city,
who was addressing the MahOneites. His
venerable appearance and white hair lead to
the belief that it was Christopher Columbus or
Rip Van Wrinkle, and the age of the argu-
ments he used confirmed the belief. A brass
band was assisting him in his efforts.
On the porch of the opposite hotel soon ap-
peared ex-senator II. II. RIddleberger, listen
ing to a serenude from brass band which had
been engaged for the Democratic county con-
vention. The moment he stood up to thank
the band the crowd of MRhOneites from the
other side OF the street surged over. Among
them were a-half dozen men who appeared
wild with anger. the leader, tremendous six
footer, with side whiskers, announcing in
stentorian tones that Rfddleberger had been
bought by the Democrats and was recreant to
the Republican party. Behind him were men
who had put their hats on sticks, so as to
shake them at Riddleberger The ex-United
States Senator, who has the reputation. wheth-
er he is fighting MahonciteS or Democrats. of
not being afraid of what is in front of him.
surveyed the bowling crowd. with his head in
a listening attitude to catch what they were
saying. At last he caught it and invited the
head speaker to come up on the porch. The
six-footer did not come whereupon Mr.. Rid
dleberger addressed few weighty remarks to
the crowd. Their weight may be judged of
from the opening sentence.
SOME PERSONAL REMARKS.
''BeforeIcommence this speech. said Mr. Rid
dleberger, pointing his finger in the face of the
siN-footer, Il denounce you as a liar. scoun-
drel and coward" Aud then. after waiting
moment for a reply and none coming, he
turned to the crowd and said "You see he
knows so well that he is a liar, that he don't
take any offense at it.
''They are very mad with me-" said Mr.. Rid
dleberger. continuing, "because they say 1 am
going to make Democratic speech. Why,
fellow citizens, 1 never made any but Demo-
cratic speech in my life and never will make
any other sort. never made speech in
which L did not advocate the rights of the
people, and that is the true Democracy
[Cheers.l
The Malone brass band here played. so as
to drown Mr.. Riddlebergcr's voice, and he
leaned over the porch railing to the DEMOCRATIC
brass band and said: Boys. give 'cm Dixie"
And they did, and for while it was one con-
fused uproGr of music, hOwls aud counter
howls. for by this time the Democrats were
aroused and didn't propose to see Riddleberger
drowned out.
A STARTLING REPLY TO AN INVITATION.
1t was evidently no use to try aud down
RiddlebGrger and the Democrats both. Gen
eral Darlington called out from his hotel
porch: Captain Riddeberger. come over here
aud I'll divide time with you"
To this Senator Rildlcbcrger. who had
borne the Interruptions of the Malone mob
about as long as his temper conld stand it,
made from his porch this brief but meaning
reply: You 90 to hell"
This reply so astonished Gen. Christopher
Columbus Darlington that he forgot his tariff
statistics and wandered back to the history of
the foundation of the government and his ear
" acquaintance with George Washington. PO-
cohontas and the aborigines who formerly
hunted over the valley of the Shenandoah
1t is supposed that he had gotten down far
as the letter in his genealogy of the descend
ants of PocOhontas, for BIZ that time the lungs
of the brawny Shenandoah Democrats had got
ten to work, and no man could tell whether it
was a political meeting or n thunderstorm
that was under way, when Judge Henry @.
Allen. i'll the interest of order, suggested that
Senator Riddlcbergcr should speak from in
front of the court-house The Senator ac-
cepted the suggestion and went to the court
house. The Democrats and Mahoneites both
followed him-the latter wanted to hear what
he was going to say about Mahone-and left
Gen. Darlington addressing bakers dozen.
THE ONLY TWO ISSUES IN THE CAMPAIGN.
At the courthouse Senator Riddleberger
started out by saying that there were but two
issues in this campaign. One Nvas.NYhether
the debt settlement should be ripped up again.
On that issu he was with the Democrats in
their support of the Rddlebcr"cr hill. IGreet
cheering The other was whether this is the
white mans or the black mans country. On
that 81 take my stand with the white man.
Here there was perfect cyclone of cheering
al will not give up my position on the debt for
anybody. and will not give up my race for
anybody" [Great cheering.l ~ know am
going to catch fits for this. but am ready for
If. hare pnTtT1ht IA all my 1ifn
II don't see why this country shouldn't be
willing to trust its legislation to the same man
(Magruder) it trusted it to two years ago.
NO READJUsTERs ON THE TICKET.
''Who is Lurty2 He is the first consin of
Stoncwall Jackson and blood relation To Bob
Walker. Laughter. Lurty has never been
a rcadjuster. nor is there the name of one on
the ticket, from Malone down. Malone had
to hold his convention in Norfolk because he
couldn't get board in any other city for his Mig
ger delegates. That's a nice state of things
the white people of this country having to go
only where the niggers can get board
PREFERS M'KINNET TO MALONE.
81 have known both Mckinney and Ma
hone The newspapers saying that Ma
hone wants to meet Mckinney on the stump!
guess that must he paid advertisement, Nc
Kinney is the superior man in every respect
have c9nvassed this State with him and
k'1ol1 him. know Malone, tool have
slept in the same bed with hinl-and would
infinitely prefer Mckinney to man have
known so we'll"
THE OUTCOME OF THE DAY
After Senator Riddlebergcr's speech Mt the
courthouse closed Gen. Christopher Columbus
Darlington was still preaching to the gathering
of MahOneites he had before him. Two of
them were on the ground fighting and plug
ging each others eyes. while the old gentle
man was lecturing from the balcony above on
the ''white angel of peace" which he said was
lowering over the land.
1t seems to be agreed on all hands that
last Mondays work at Woodstock has aroused
the Democrats in Shenandoah and the vote
there will he full one.
Signs of a Hard Winter.