The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1870-10-03

this, Governor Stevenson took occasion to
say that were / to utter where General
Harris could hear it what ! had then spok-
en-, he would pledge himself that "Gcner-
al Harris" to use the Governors own
language, "would mash Walkers mug"
In reporting that meeting, l printed those
words just as had spoken them; the
Governors pledge in the premises, like
many other pledges from the came source,
is still unkept; the "mug" of the subscri-
Der is still unmashed. / had hoped that
Governor Stevenson used this dignifed
mode Of discussion from q constitutional
desire to pander to the taste of a gang Of
rufians and rowdies who were hurrahing
and bowling around him. But if this be
not the case, if his Excellency expected to
brighten me from the discussion Of the acts
of himself and his underlings he will find
that the course adopted will not attain the
end desired. And tell him here that L
know ofnothing in the record, l know Of
nothing in the Mountaineering proves of
his friend General Harris, either alone or
when backed by the threats of his master,
Governor Stevenson, that can deter me for
one moment from expressing my convic-
tons concerning the corruptions and the
expressions with which they have cursed
and are now cursing this State. cloud
and continued applauso.) Sir, the tools Of
your tyranny may vex US, obeying your
bidding your registrars may disfrauchisc
US, your courts and your Legislatures may
combine to deny US redress, the negro
mobs which your agents are now organic
ing in secret throughout this State may
insult us, but of free speech you cannot
deprive US. (App.auso.) While tina.
remains We will use it to proclaim your
euormities tosthc world; use it to invoke
the ballots Of white men in behalf
Of white men, their kindred in blood and
their brothers in destiny, Cloud cheers, }
use it to drive from power to nell meri,ed
oblivion, the wicked men whose ascendaney
is in constant violation Of law, and whose
rule is the source alike Of oppression to The
people and of disaster to the State. Great
applause)
Mr.. Walker then discussed at length the
character and operations Of the regis tration
law, showing that under it the registrars
have no responsibility and the voter, no
security; that rebels who will be radicals
can be registered. and that Union men
who are Democrats have been disfrau-
chiscd under it. The workings Of the law
wero fully illustrated by cases selected
from different parts Of the State. After
proving beyond question that the Cover.
nor himself will not remedy wrongs COM
mitted under the law, Mr.. Walker retired
from the stand, his hour having expired.
Governor Stevenson then rose to reply.
GOVERNOR srEyENsoS's SPEECH.
In opening, Governor Stevenson said
that in the brief space Of timo allotted to
him. he would not be able to discuss the
various questions of public policy which
had been alluded to BY the previous
speakers in the manner be desired. He
would therefore say nothing about them
but proceed at once to consider the ar
raignmeut Of his own official couduc;
which had been made by Mr.. Walker.
That gentleman's speech had abounded in
assertions Of Official derelictiOn, but he
had failed to bring forward q scintilla of
proof. In reference to the internal i'm
provements of which so much had been
said. he repeated that tho government OF
Virginia had made no internal improve
ments OF any value in what is now called
West Virginia. While uuder Democratic
control this portion of Virginia was dcsti.
tute ofimprovcments, and the Baltimore
Il Ohio railroad was compelled to!beg upon
its knees to the Democratic Legislature of
Virginia for the right of way through the
State. The school system and school
houses in West Virginia were to be cred
tied to the Republican party. The Ches-
apeake & Ohio railroad was tho inspira-
ton of the republican party, although he
admitted that not all the men concerned
in its management were republicans, nor
did all the money to construct the road
come from republican sources.
The Governor pointed with pride to the
fact that the schools in the State cost
quarter Of million dollars annually; that
there is now in the treasury q school fund
of 5000, 900, the interest On which will in