Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1905-06-09
A ONCE OPEN, BUT NOW CLOSED
INCIDENT,

y
Joseph Button some time ago rushed
upon the forum, or platform. or stump,
or dry goods box, and delived himself
Of that mighty Grafton, that one we
mean in which he proved SO conclu-
slvely that Gov. Montague was not ell
ligible to the Office of U. s. Senator,
cited Judge MOncure's opinion, and
possibly other law, then with drew to
the shades of oblivion. Mr.. Button
sometimes like even more gifted men,
will do foolish things. One of these
he did when he mounted the stump or
the dry goods box, and undertook to
manage the Martin campaign there
from with eloquence. He felt his own
insufficiency evidently from that day
and it only took one fall of this kind
to satisfy Mr.. Button that he was out
Of his class, and his good sense, and
discretion warned him against second
attempt. There is a class of politics
In which Mr.. Button is a master, but
1t cometh not through eloquent words
or splendid oratory, not as DemOsthe-
mes or Cicero was wont to win politi-
cal battles or stir people who had
grown lethargic. Mr.. Buttons modes
are OF the quiet kind, they are den0m-
mated in politics Organization, they
do not blaze out in open day, they en-
anate from headquarters" which
means a room. possibly in 1.-The jeff
erson" or some other elegantly ap-
pointed place, where the faithful con
Gregate, the employed assemble, and
the busy bees whisper and confer be.
hind closed doors. 1t is in such an
environment that Mr.. Button is su-
preme. He lays his plans deep. he
evolves schemes, he counseIs the work
ers, be handles the campaign fund, he
tells 1.-THE boys" what to do, he becomes
the reservoir for campaign secrets,
and when the prOpitiOus time arrives
he pusheth this button or that button
mo pun is meant ON the wordD he send.
eth this messenger to do this work,
and that messenger to do that work,
he planteth mines, and holdeth in his
hand the batteries with which TO ex-
plode them. Great is Mr.. Button in
silent campaigning and in silent pol
itics, his eloquence Is found in wills.
pers. a knowing wink, a tap of the
fore finger on your breast, and this
eloquence We wot not waxeth as the
campaign fund grows in size, and al
the slnews of war increase. Many have
thought 1t strange that mouth sc
long sealed should have so suddenly
opened. but those who know him best
have not thought it strange that 1t Sc
suddenly closed.
When Mr.. Button finding himself
bearing a great burden, which he hoped
to bring to its destination safely, sud.
denly met with distractions in the way
difficult to overcome and to remove
them, opened his mouth and spake,
we could not help being reminded OF
Asomewhat similar occurrence ancient,
but well authenticated, which lest our
readers may hsve forgotten it, we cite.
We ask them to turn to Numbers I'D
chapter beginning with the 21st verse,
where 1t is told how BALKAN rose up In
the morning and saddled his ass, down
through to where the mouth of the ass
was opened 90 that she spake, on to the
S0th verse, when she plaintively, sadly
but eloquently said:
"Am not thine ass upon which
though hast ridden ever since l was
thine unto this day?''
With these words the patient be asst
OF burden closed her mouth and went
ON uncOmplainingly about her work.
Mr.. Button has been saddled, yes
early In the morning was the saddle
placed upon him, he has been carrying
bis burden, be has fallen down under
it, he has spoken, and his mouth has
again been sealed. Thus far shall the
simiitude 60, and no farther, for as
there can be no real likeness between
BALKAN and the Martin campaign,
tnen how much more improbable or
impossible for a likeness to exist be-
tween the animal which bore BALKAN
and the man who carries about on his
back this wing of the Democratic par
ty. 1t would be a crime to even think
Of such a thing.
nGhpcn rur onrn. mana,