Martinsburg Independent

Pole Raising at Bedington.
To the Editors of the Independent:
SEPTEMBER, 12th, 1876.

The democrats and conservatives of Bedington and vicinity assembled at the residence of Mr. J. R. Guinn at 7 P. M., and raised a very handsome Tilden & Hendricks pole. It is a white pine about 30 feet high. There is a beautiful flag on it with the inscription, "Down with the bondholder." The greatest enthusiasm prevailed during the entire evening. Mr. Guinn, our candidate for constable, was perfectly happy. When the flag was unfurled to the breeze it was greeted with three deafening cheers. Mr. Guinn was loudly called on for a speech. He was introduced to the vast assembly by the Knipe town school teacher in a few appropriate remarks. He stated at the close of the same that he took much pleasure in introducing our township "standard bearer," J. R. Guinn. He was received with great applause. The following is a correct copy of Mr. G's speech, taken down on the spot by a short-hand reporter from Philadelphia:

FELLOW CITIZENS:—As I turn my eyes and gaze upon that beautiful flag, the emblem of our nationality, my heart swells within me, and I am led to exclaim in the language of the poet:

"Flag of the free hearts, hope and home,
By angel hands to valor given;
Thy stars have lit the welkin dome,
And all thy hues were born in heaven.
Forever float that standard sheet!
Where breathes the foe but falls before us,
With freedom's soil beneath our feet,
And freedom's banner streaming o'er us."

Fellow citizens, there is a mighty revolution coming upon us. It is peaceful in its movements, and we trust that it will be peaceful in its results. The cloud of reform which but a few months ago, was scarcely larger than a man's hand, is now assuming gigantic proportions. It will soon cover the face of the political firmament, and then the electric current of reform, directed by the experienced hand of Uncle Sammy Tilden, will consume the infamous scoundrels whose deeds are a disgrace and stigma to our country. (Tremendous applause.) If we take up the history of the world and peruse its pages, we cannot find a country from the creation down to the present time, in which there has been such base corruption as now exists in our country. It is time that the honest yeomanry of the country should rise in their might, and hurl the corrupt office-holders from power. Some people say that Uncle Sammy Tilden is a bond-holder, but I do not believe it. They have not proved it. That honest old democrat, the Rev. Petroleum V. Nasby seems to have taken the idea into his head. He speaks in one of his letters of Tilden being a bondholder, but I tell you fellow citizens that he is mistaken. I am afraid that Nasby's letters will do the party more harm than good. Fellow citizens, I am your candidate for constable, and I will tell you that I am not a bondholder. I never had a bond. I never saw a bond. I never want a bond. Fellow citizens if you will elect me to the office of constable I will discharge the duties of the office honestly and faithfully. I will see that all evil doers are brought to justice. I will charge but 2 per cent. for the collection of all claims. I will charge nothing for serving summonses. I only want the office for the honor connected with it. (Cheers.) Now fellow citizens I must now bring my profound remarks to a close, as it is getting very late and I don't want to weary your patience. (Cries of "go on.") Brother democrats put your shoulder to the wheel and keep the ball in motion, and when the Ides of November come round we will achieve a glorious victory. Let no man falter. "The blood of our fathers may it not have been shed in vain. The hope of prosperity let it not be blasted."
Let us then press on to victory.
"For right is right since God is God,
And right the day must win;
To doubt would be disloyalty,
To falter would be sin."

Tremendous applause. Nine cheers for Guinn.

K.