The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-10-17
Gen'l Echols in staunton.

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| A PLAIN PRESENTATION OF THE REAL IS
SUE INVOLVED IN THE CANvAss-NC
COMPROMISE WITH THE HALF GREEN
hackers, BUT AN OUT-AND- OUT FIGHT
FOR HARD MONEY.
| Saturday night last, for the first time in
the canvass, General Echols spoke to the
people of Staunton. 1t was expected that
his opponents would be present and discuss
the issues with him, but this expectation was
disappointed Mr.. Paul had already made
appointments elsewhere, and Judge Har.
ris had gone to his home.
At the appointed hour, half past seven'
the Town Hall was filled, there being pres
ent a large number of ladies, quite a novel
element in the makeup of political gather
inos in this section. Without introduction.
General Echols came forward and delivered
| speech which was well received, and mer-
tied the close attention and appreciation ac'
corded it. 1t was fair presentation OF the
| only real issue in the canvass-that OF the
great question OF National Finance, and In
its discussion General Echols cut loose en-
tirely from the mlk-and-water platform OF
such So called anti grecnbackers as Johnston,
Tucker, Daniels, and the like, and came out
boldly and unqualifiedly for money that
would be currency the world over-redeem-
able at the pleasure of the holder in coin.
10 this end he advocated the enforcement OF
the resumption act and a return to the stand.
ard of value recognized by all civilized ns-
tons of the earth.
THE SPEECH
Since my announcement as a candidate
for Congress, said General Echols, I have
been DESTROYS of speaking to the people oil
my town aud county; of exchanging opinions
with them; of hearing what their views
were upon the important question involved
| i'm this canvass; SO that might feel that
was in accord with those among whom
| live; and have come here tonight for the
purpose of letting them know,as frankly and
| plainly as can, my position, and the views
entertain, and when that has been done,
hope they will think over the matter care
fully and earnestly, and then cast their votes
in accordance with the dictates of their judg
| ment and conviction.
In entering the canvass at SO late day,
do so at disadvantage. My competitors
have been in the field for weeks, and as q
consequence have the advantage of the in
tercourse and effort of that time. But beg
| hot
which we are now entering is not a personal
one it is not who as a nan shall represent
you, but it involves a great and important
principle, upon which the people must first
bestow careful thought and then act fol
| them selves.
1t has been intimated and industriously
circulated, that have entered this fight no
with the hope of being elected, but for the pur
pose of dividing the vote and securing thu
election of one of the gentlemen already ii
the field. can hardly believe that such ar
idea, resting as it does upon no foundation
whatever, could have gained general accep
lance. l have announced myself as the rep
resentative OF certain defined principle
and at the solicitation Of good people all ov-
er the district, who disagree with my com
petitors, and if had not been candidate
they could not, entertaining the views the!
do. have voted for either of the others. L
in the views shall advance tonight, yor
agree with me, shall hope to receive YOU
votes. The issue involved is one which i'm
mediately interests the people not only O.
this district, but the whole nation.
Two issues have been forced into this can
vass-that of the State debt and the Nation
al Finance. The first has nothing in TIN
world to do with a Congressional election
for members of Congress can never be called
upon to act upon it, and would not alludt
to it but for the fact that a failure to do 81
might be misconstrued.
Gen'l Echols then went into a recital OF tn
oft-told tale of the Virginia debt and fund
ing bill, his conclusion being that, in hi
opinion, the debt could be compromised OF
four per cent. bond, provided the coupon
feature was allowed to remain. II this fail
ed, however, he favored an increase of taxa
ton, and believed that an increase of q
cents ON the 500 would be sufficient to NEE
the deficiency. The Supreme Court had de
cided the Funding bill to be a contract, an(
that decision was final. He deprecated tn,
idea of constitutional convention with
view to changing the Court, and said tina
the security of country rested in grea
measure upon a pure and untramelled ju
dietary.
THE REAL ISSUE.
He then came to the real question at is
sue-what kind of money shall we have?
After the war. when we were just recover
ing from its disastrous effects. men began t.
rub their eyes and look around them. They
had lost four of the best years of their lives
and their property had been swept away
Then it was that the sole idea of getting ricl
took possession of them, and they rushed
headlong forward in the mad scramble TO
wealth. Hard, honest labor was thrown
aside, and men worked with their wits in
stead of their hands. Corner lots on pape
were sold at fabulous prices, iron and GOA
mines with no possible chance of develop
ment, were made the basis of enormous loans
and immense debts were contracted with
out reference to the debtors ability to pay
We were sailing along on the swift tide OF al
apparent prosperity, and men forgot that thu
time of settlement must come. All though
they were rich, or would be in a short time
and the widest extravaganza followed. Mag
nificent houses were erected, grounds were
beautified, our sons and daughters were ed
ucated at expensive schools, and men begar
to say, ''take thine ease." All was sunli
: and glorious and happy and prosperous. L
man wanted money he had only to go tt
the bank, and say give me thousands.
; have an immense coal mine that will real
ize on in a short time. That was all the Sc
curity needed. When, after year the mott
, fell due, and he was asked to pay it, the an
swer was ''wait, wait little while. 1 hav
not yet realized on my investment and S
he gave another note, and still another for
smaller amount which represent the inter
est. Merchants piled their shelves with silk
and broadcoth, and we were booming alonl
glorious and serene with no fear of danger
|