Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-09-01
WAYS considered that the representative

always COnSlueTou tiisau Clo IoPAOooHo@oiVo
was
THE SERVANT OF THE PEOPLE, THE
MOUTH PIECE OF ELS CONSTITUENCY,
and that when the people spoke 1t Was his
duty to obey, that those Icing his con eli
entious sentiments he had always acted
in accord. with them. The wishes OF the
people were law to him and having all con-
fidence in the honesty and truth of his
young friend from Augusta he would now
ask him in presence of this large and re-
spectacle representation of the voters of
his district to express his conscientious
views on this all important subject. Mr..
Med. then taking his seat 1 drew off my
overcoat and rose to reply, saying that I
would in responding to the challenge of
my friend and opponent express nv real
and cherished sentiments N the subject.
I can not agree, must confess with the
views the gentleman has given utterance
to. The right of constituency to instruct
it's delegates in congress may be
MOST UNRIGHTEOUsLY ABSURD,
and think when am done you will agree
with me, supposing, which have no doubt
will be the case that this district which
has Democratic majority shall decide
that I Wing must represent them in the
next national legislature and shall instruct
me to vote for direct tax on all merchan-
disc, must 1 be wooden mouth piece to
sound their wishes contrary to my lifelong
and conscientious convictions. Granting
that this district is largely Presbyterian or
Methodist, OF, having any other denomina-
tional majority should instruct me to fly
in the face of all constitutional restrictions
and vote for an established church, shall I
blindly
OBEY THOSE INSTRUCTIONS
| Again, a large majority of the suffragans
of this Congressional Districta are non-slave-
holders. Should 1 be required by them to
use my influence for the passage OF an alb
clifton law? Must [ submit myself like
lump of clay in the hands of the potter to
be moulded at the will of the majority. 1
reply no-fellow- citizens emphatically no
If you want a tin spout through which I'M
questioned to discharge your utterances,
do not elect me. If you want a party ma
chiDe as your representative to work your
| royal will unchallenged
DO NOT VOTE FOR ME,
or if you want wooden man a speaking
automaton to fill the seat of the Botetourt
district WHICH has been so worthy filled for
generations past by your honored sons, do
not, I repeat, elect me. If 1 go, 1
will as your representative, resist to the
last all encroachments upon the constitu.
ton and laws, whether advocated by the
majority or the minority, and in no case
will l submit myself as the gentleman says
a willing tool to any and every whim of
my constituents. M.
I then called on Mr.. Med. to say if no
would not act in like manner. He hung
his head and made no reply
REPEATED MY CHALLENGE
and he still refused to respond, saw was
master of the situation and said, IF my
friend does not reply will constlue his
silenc as consent". Here an old farmer
in the crowd cried out:
MCDOWELL WHY IN THE DEVIL DON'T
YOU SAY SOMETHING.
Still there was no response, when turned
to my audience and said You see fellow
citizens where my friend stands, leave it
to you to decide between us, and my en-
dorsement came in a roar of hearty ap-
plause, and / saw l had won. I will on ly
I add that when the votes of the old Demo
| cratic Botetourt District were counted,
the result showed the district had gone
Wing by 800 majority, and my good natur-
ed boast was more than fulfilled by ma
jority of nearly 200 votes in the good
county of Rockbridge.