The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-10-18

stiuntion, having been exhausted, rather
than repndiate the obligations of the State,
he would favor an increase of the taxes of
10 cents on the $780, He wished to be un-
derstood ON this point. and repeated the
conditions only upon which he would favor
increased taxation-that should all efforts
fail and no possible arrangements could be
made, and reputation or increased tares
were presented as the alternatives, he would
choose the latter.
Col. Richardson followed in half hour and
Genl Walker consumed a half hour in re-
ply, according to arrangement. There was
a good deal of friendly sparrng between the
gentlemen, the friends Of each responding
to the sallies, in cheers. At the conclusion
of the Generals remarks he put the ques-
ton to Col. Richardson, whether, in the
event OF a failure of all legal and Constitu-
tional efforts to effect re-adjustment Of the
debt, would he favor an increase OF 10 cents
tax on the 500, or repudiate the debt? He
did not answer, and the question being re-
peated in a rather ridiculous way, and no
answer, considerable merriment followed.
Gen. Walker claimed that there was no diff
ference between them, except that each
thought he ought to be elected.
By the time the discussion closed, the
Courthouse had been pretty we'll cmptied,
as it was nearly dark and the country peo-
pie had to leave for their homes. The friends
OF both parties seemed to be satisfied with
the efforts of their speakers. A large ma
jority of the crowd at first was decidedly
favorble to Richardson, but after the audi
encc grew thinner, it was more evenly bal
anced, and the responses were about equal.
Gen. Walkers speech made a favorable
impression, d number who had been opposed
to him before being satisfied with his posi-
ton, and stated their purpose to vote for
him. There is, however, very strong feel
ing against him in the county, which we
think arises from misconception of his
views. We could see very little in his re-
marks, bearing upon the genera! policy to
be pursued, to dissent from. The difficulty
with him, lie addresses himself to a hypo-
thetical case, which will nevcs arise-which
is not practical-which no class OF men or
party maintain-and denouaces it. This is
by many misunderstood, and misstated, and
hence the feeling that has been aroused. II
Gen. Walker, as he says, will 60 as far as
the farthest, in any legal and constitutional
means, to correct the wrong of the funding
bill, re-adjust the debt and relieve the peo-
pie, we cannot see how any one favoring
fair and just re adjustment can object to
him.
He is noble specimen of the mamie is
a true and brave-hearted Virginian-a gen.
tleman in every sense of the word-fgank,
manly, ourageous-despising deception, or
and with his declared scnti-
ments on the debt question, is entitled to
the support OF the people of the State, and
we hope will receive it.
At night, Mr.. Gray, Of Fluvana, the dis
trict canvasscr, addressed several hundred
of the citizens of Harrisonburg, in the Court
House. He gave connected and concise
history of the Funding Bill, the various
classes of State obligations, the laws bear
ing upon them, and his conclusions. We
did not hear him through. His speech was
we'll delivered, and was well digested, and
proved interesting to those who had not
closely studied the theme he discussed.
I lit is proper to say that we did not take
notes of the speeches. as we were in the |
own purely on business, having no connec-
lion with politics, aud therefore do not pro-
less to have followed the speakers closely. |
We depended on our regular correspondent
here, and he seeing us there depended upon
Us, and hence this reference merely from a
memory not charged particularly with the
order of the remarks made.l