The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-09-18
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Last Monday was court gay HARRISON
burg, and as usual large number of fubstan-
tial citizens of the county were present; Of
course politics on the ruling topic of discus
sion. We found both parties in good spirits
and confident Of success, which implies that
somebody will be disappointed on the 4th
day of November next.
Col. Withers, the Conservative candidate
for 1t. Governor, had been announced sever
al weeks previously, to speak on the occasion.
Hon. G. P. Ramsdall, Republican candidate
for The same position, and Judge Fultz, Re
publican candidate for Attorney General,
were also present. BY arrangement between
The political friends Of the respective parties,
joint discussion was agreed upon. Col.
Withers was to leao off in speech of an
hour, Messrs. Ramsisll and Futz to have
two hours and a-half, and Col. Withers 70
conclude in hour and a-half. By this pro-
gramme it was very apparent that Withers
had greatly the advantage. aud being a fine
stump speaker, he used it to the best of his
ability.
We have not the time or space to follow
our notes taken Of the speeches. COL With
ers' first hour was. devoted p-inciply. to dis
cussion, or rather the presentation Of tho f.
nancia1 condition of the Cotton States, as
though, as Mr.. R.msd.ll remarked, he was
running for Office in one of those States,
leaving Viryinta affairs only occasionally al
luded to, and that very super6cially, except
as to the negro question, which he brought
out prominently. He planted himself as to
the position he advanced in 1869, and maia-
tanned throughout the extreme views on
party in this State on the issues of the day.
/ Mr.. Randall followed Col. Withers in a
speech of an hour. It was forcible, proctical
and effective. He was listened to with
marked attention, and a number Of the solid
men of Rockingham, who have heretofore
voted with the Conservative party, Indicated
their purpose to vote for Mr.. Ramsdall, and
the Republican ticket. Mr. R, was especially
happy in his comparison Of the material condi
tion Of the States of Pennsylvania and Vir-
GINA, the latter having largely the advan-
tage in natural resources, while the former
has six times the taxa BILE property, and two
thirds less public debt than Virginia.
Judge Fultz followed in strong speech
we'll arranged, and effective in results. Not
being accustomed to outdoor speaking, and
educated to speake at the bar, bis voice was
pitched to so low tone at the conclusion Of
his sentences, as to be almost inaudible to
the crowd at distance from the stand How
ever, large number of them pressed close up
to the stand, and listened with the deepest
concern to the forcible argument and logical
conclusions Of the speaker.
Colonel Withers concluded the Discussion
in his allotted time Of an hour and a-half;
his speech being we'll received, and at tin es
loudly applauded by majority of the audi
ence.
The entire debate was conducted with the
utmost courtesy but We do not think with
scrupulous fairness by Col. Withers, in some
OF the points he attempted to make. The
thoughtful portion Of the audience discerned
this very readily, and. made due allowance
for the weakness of the position and cause
he represented To our mind Col. Withers
did not present solid reason why the peo-
pie should support the Conservative ticket
over the Republican candidates. Fluent and
ready in debate, good presence and COM
handing voice, he brought all these to his
assistance In his appeals to the prejudices
aud passions Of his audience.
To stun up briefly its results-Col. With
ers pleased the majority of his hearers by his
imprisoned delivery, his bold assumptions,
and his ingenious disposal of ugly points,
We are satisfied that he gained nothing
substantially, but really lost votes.
Mr. Ramsdall and Judge Fultz camman-
ded the thoughtful attention, arrested the
reason, and lodged conviction in the minds
of a plumber of those who came for informa
ton, by the solidity of their arguments and
the force Of their facts. The Republicans
were well satisfied with the results, having
evidently gained number Of votes by the
discussion.
This was the first time Mr. Ranslall had
ever met Valley audience. The impression
created was very favorable. "A large number
of acquaintance we're formed, and the as
surance given by some who have never here
tofore acted with the Republicans, that they
would act with them this fall.
The CONSERVATIVE es claim that great VIC
tory was achieved by Col. Withers. This
however, was in preconcerted boisterous
demonstrations, while the Republicans claim
the advantage IN the practical, tangible re-
suits assured.
ANOTHER SIGN.-Franklin Stearns, Esq
ona of wealthiest and most enterprising men
in Richmond City. and warm supporter Of
the Greeley ticket last fall. declared his pur-
pose in a Republican meeting in Richmond,