Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-08-26
ALEXANDRIA,, VA.
rhe discussion at Warrenton.
TUESDAY. AUGUST ~, 1873

and number OF AleXaGdrlanS lett mere Oh tue
W. c.. Y. NJ. 4 G. S. r. r. train for War
rentou, yesterday. On the same train were L.
II. Chandler, j. II. Platt ir., and Jos. Segar
The party reached Warrenton about Il o'clock,
where they found Col. Robert w. Hughes, the
Radical nominee for Governor, already on the
ground, he having arrived the day before
Propositions looking to joint discussion were
at once made 10 behalf Of kemper and With
ers, and after TWO hours spent in arranging the
terms of such discussion, it was tiua!ly agreed
that COL Hughes should open iu speech OF
one and half hours, Gen. Kcmpcr to follow
in a speech of the same length, then MIR. l.. H.
Chandler to have one hour, and Col. Robert f.
Withers to follow him in speech OF one hour,
Mr.. Chandler to have the closing halt hour
The terms having been agreed upon, 1t was de-
cided to open thc'discuSsion at ]! clock, the
speaking to take place in front of the Warren
Green Hotel, the speakers to occupy the portl'
co and the audience temporary seats arranged
on the green slope.
At the appointed hour, thcmccting quite
large audience having by this time assembled,
consisting of large dele cations from Culpcpcr,
Stafford and Alexandria, all white except about
forty coorcd men-was called to order by Maj.
Richard H. Carter, who had been selected to
act as umpire on the Radical side. Maj. Car
ter, in introducing Col. Hughes bespoke Tor
him the corteous and careful attention OF the
citizens of Fauquicr, and, in passing, paid
handsome compliment to Gen. kempcr.
When COL Hughes came forward he was
greeted by but slight applause. lie proceeded
to say that in coming to Warrcnton to speak he
knew that he would speak to an audience not
at all in sympathy with him; people very
strong in their Southern opinions and ever
ready to express them that be had been warn
ed of this state Of feeling, but like Luther,
when on his way to the Diet OF Worms, he
was warned by a:messenger of his danger, and
begged not to proceed, his reply WAS, II
there were as mauy devils In Worms as
there are tiles upon the roofs OF It's houses, l
would CO. So he, the speaker, decided to
come, and he expected FROM the intelligent peo-
pie of Fauqucr respectful hearing. He went
on to speak OF coming FROM the Southwestern
portion OF the State 50 famous for its beautiful!
landscapes and splendid MOUNTAINS tie land of
the Floyds, the Prestons and the Johnstous;
that the blood of the Floyds and PrcStnns fl wv
ed in the veins OF his children. lie argued that
al! ought to join the Republican party because,
said be, We have Republican, President, Re
publican Senate, TWO to one,a Republican House
above, all Republican Court of Appeals, &c.
Col. Hughes referred 10 complimentary terms
to Cen kemper as his fried of twenty years
standing, against vhom personally he had not
word to say, and whom he regarded as an able
representative of bis party. He desired to
conduct this canvass as he he had the canvass
tor congressional honors 10 the Ninth district
last fall, when he and his Conservative compe-
titor travelled aud spoke together tor months
without either dropping word to wound the
feelings Of the other. He also spoke kindly of
COL WitherS as a gentleman commanding his
entire respect. He said it was needless to
avow that no nationa issues are involved in
this canvass there are but two parties in this
country, and Virginia must array herself with one
or the other. He reviewed the history OF the Con
servalive party in Virginia, and said they were
obliged to abandon their organization As white
mans party in 1865 because the leaders found
themselves abandoned The negroes, he said,
naturally and properly go with the Republican
party because 1t gave them their rights and
protects them in them, and becauseit is the party
of freedom, the party Of progress, and the par
~ of the nation. Though States rights man
in the past, he denied being ScccssiuDist, and
in 1861, although the Convention passed the
ordinance. 10 conclusion, Col. Hughes ar
raigned the Conservative party for violations
of the spirit of the Constitution in regard to
the homestead act and for other alleged intrac-
tons Of the Constitution.
Gen. kemper followed COL Hughes and was
received by the audience with wild cheering
He made speech equal 10 matter and effect to
any heard since the var, and when he au-
nounced himself as the next Governor of lir-
giDia the cheering was immense. After an el)-
luent reference to Fauquer county as the place
where rest the bones of his fathers, General
kempcr said that he should utter nosenti-
lnents and make no remarks incompatible with
the dignity Of the high Office for which both he
and Colonel Hughes were candidates. His op-
ponent should be treated with proper courtesy.
The representatives of the people had made
him their candidate by unanimous vote, aud
he had never refused, and never would refuse.
to obey the call of his native State in the coun-
ellis of peace or the stern ordeal Of war; He
said this Is no national contest; parties are not
divided here as at the North We arc happily
withdrawn from the arena of Federal politics
the great issue here is what sort Of government
are We to have in Virginia to deal with our
lives and liberties for the next four years.
These issues do not come under the cognzaucc
of Federal courts or require the action of Pres
ident Grant; and as TO President Grant, he
would say that he had no desire to coudeun
him in advance Hc bad entered upon another
term, and it will be we'll for him and us if he
rises above the level of sections and faction aud
obeys the voice of patriotic duty SO as to secure
the welfare of every State and the W hole coun-
try. [. matters not whether We have been
Democrats or Wings before the war, Secession
lists or Unionists in 1860 and 1861 whether We
have been for Greeley OF for Grant, for Ma
homet or TO: Mustapha, or for neither; wheth
cr foreign or an American sun shonc upon
our birth, our interests are the same here
General kemper then reviewed the record OF
Colonel Hughes. A community prospcrs III
proportion as all classes work together in peace,
b.rnonv ap1 nutnal yooi- uil)-in posiDp none