Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-09-28
The Discussion ON Monday.

AdHt LlectOT Tor TIE Eleventh DiStrlcC, nav
ing announced that he would address the
Democracy of Augusta at the September
Court and invited the Douglas and John
son Eiector, J. N. Liggett, Esq. of Rock
ingham, to be present, discussion came off
at the Courthouse on Monday last between
them.
Agreeably to suggestion from Colonel
Massie, it was arranged that he should lead
off in speech Of one hour, be followed by
Mr.. Liggett in the same time, he to succeed
Mr.. L. in half, and Mr.. L. to close in half
an hour.
Mr.. Ms opening speech was confined to
a review of the candidates of the Bell and
Everett party and the position of that con-
glomerate institution. He proved most con-
clusively from this record that the sentiments
they had advanced were unsafe to the in
terests of the peculiar institution" and
should not receive the support Of the people
of Virginia.
Mr.. Liggett declined to follow his friend
Massie in search after the s'fossil remains
of an effete party" which had neither shape,
form or substance at this time. There were
living issues that divided the Democratic
party, and he came to advocate the claims
of those whom he believed to be the regular
Democratic nominees against both of the
other. He then went into an able review of
the facts and arguments in the premises.
Mr.. Massie. in his reply, few his original
tract, and directed his batteries with inge-
nuity and ability to the support of some of
the positions of his candidates.
Mr.. Liggett rejoined in an effective effort,
which was attended with frequent applause.
During the course of the debate, Mr.. Lig-
gett asked Mr.. Massie the question, in sub
stance, which were propounded to Judge
Douglas, and he answered that he would not
consider the election of Lincoln a sufficient
cause for dissolution of the Union.
The discussion was conducted in the most
courteous and digniGed manner. Both gen
tlemen displayed talents Of high order and
fully met the expectations Of their respective
| friends.
After the close of the discussion, which
was la in the evening, and nearly all of
our country friends Immediately left, Capt.
W. S. II. Baylor moved that Capt. W. S.
Abney--bo!h friends of Mr.. Breckenridge
take the chair.
M. G.. Herman, Esq, Immediately took
the stand and proceeded to read resolution
prepared for the occasion, which provided
that the Democracy Of Augusta recommended
the State Executive Committees which are
called to meet in Richmond on the 9Th of
October, to withdraw Is Of the present Elec-
tors-such as may be and let there
be but one Electoral ticket their votes if
elected to be cast ratiobly for Douglas or
Breckenridge, agreeably to the popular vote
received by each. We had been approached
on the subject of the two Electors and the
two Executive Committeeman for this Dis
trct, recommending the proposition of Mr.
Baylor to the two Committees Of the State
called to meet on the "a prozimo. That
proposition did not involve a resolution to be
passed in the name Of the Democracy of Au-
gusta, late in the evening Of Monday when
there was not 70 Democrats in the House.
the audience being, at that hour mostly
Bell and Everett men. We said we had
nothing to do with a recommendation of the
Executive Committeeman and the Electors
of the District, merely in the form it was
We should not sayswhether we would oppose
or approve. To ascertain what might be the
chances Of obtaining such recommendation,
we spoke to the Breckenridge Committee
man, and he declined to take position either
to recommend or refuse to do so. We at
once concluded that the original proposition
had fallen, and thought no more of it. We
where not prepared for the resolution Of Mr..
Hartman and as little expected Capt A5ney
being called to the chair. We concluded
when he took his position that our Breckin-
ridge friends had some business to transact,
nasmuch as Capt. Baylor, the mover, and
Mr. Abney, the chairman, were of that party.
We were leaving the house with friend at
the time the resolution was being read, and
hearing the words Democracy Of Augusta
| TcCOLHIDCuu< CuIueA diOuuu anu Sd AuT.
Hartman on the stand Catching the pur-
port of the resolution, we determined to op-
pose it, for nearly every Democrat from the
county had left at the close Of the discussion,
and for the further reason we had no time to
consider the various bearin IS of resolution
the ezpedency of which we are not at this
time prepared to sanction. We did not and
do not think that meeting had any authori-
ty, in the name Of the Democracy of Angus
ia, to pass a resolution cffecting the en-
tire policy of the party in the State. If
there had feen a full meeting Of our coun-
try friends, after due notice, we then would
have discussed the merits Of the proposition.
But believing it wrong to commit the De-
mocracy Of Augusta to any proposition with
out full and fair consideration before a
larger meeting than that on Monday evening
we opposed it.
The gentlemen who supported the propo-
sition are men, we know, VINO are devoted to
the interests Of the Democracy and each en-
tertains as lively wish for the success of
his particular views as we can for ours. The
mover Of the proposition as originally made
in the Vindicatof, and the mover ofthe reso-
luton, as we'll as the chairman of the meet
ing, Capt. Abney, are Democrats as we'll as
gentlemen without reproach, for whose opin-
ions we always give the most attentive and