The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-02-28
Senator Paul, of Rockingham.

DR.. A. Monterio, editor of the Manchester
(Va.) Courier, and one of the most forcible
and graceful writer's connected with the Vir-
gnia press, was in attendance at tie Senate
during the debate on the State debt question,
He gives his impression Of the speeches of
Maj. Daniel, Of Lynchburg, on the one side
OF that issue, and Capt. Paul, CT Rocking
ham, on the other. The Courier says:
The Senate, on Tuesday night, presented con-
siderable attractions in the spirited debate on the
Barbour Bill. Senator Daniel finished his speech
commenced in the morning. He spoke for one
hour, and delivered one of the most ornate and
beautiful speeches so far made in the Senate He
proved that his right hand mad not lost tia cum
mig. For sparkling Ingenuity in 1avoidiEg The
prominent points before the Senate. the Speech
ly possesses power, in a remarkable degree, the
applause of listening senates to command. The
fiiig tie ohgaions Of their plahe tai 1n
lobby. The Senate Ghanlbet was ecrJWtaed With sth
ent, and seemed much pleased with the ELOQUENT
effort OF the speaker. At the close Of MIR. Dan
lefs remarks, Senator Paul, from Rockingham,
opened in reply one of the most powerful and SOL
q arguments we have ever heard. He rapidly re-
viewed the entire field 1.scussssnm from ifs
incipsency to the present. He invited the atten-
ton of Senators TO the great question of honor,
State honor and individual honor. He asked wheth-
er IT was more honorable to advocate the claims
rights OF the most helpless classes of'peopIe. He
thanked his God that he was not ashamed TO de-
fend his s., constituents because they poor
ne was Wiling TO bear the charge of demagogue-
ism in the honest discharge OF his sacred duties
to his people He asserted that the press, the
that side claimed all the honor. He asked if there
is any honorin robbing the holders OF the poor
peeler DOndS. There Is as much honor in defending
the defenceless and helpless there Is in crying
peace! peace! when there is no peace. or honor!
h91or when there is only dishonor. Is it honor
able to dishonor a large portion OF the public
debt !? He had heard the Senator from MiddIesex
proclaim that the Senate should oppose the mad
resentative OF the people Is he better than the
people who sent him here We are here to rep
resent the people, and not as Mr.. Bland holds, to
Mr.. Paul submitted to motion to adjourn
me de bate was very interesting to those who had
taken the trouble to think for themselves on this
very prominent subject.
In another article in the same issue of the
Courier, we find the following allusion to
the efforts of the Rockingham Senator:
In the Senate, the debate on the Barbour Bill
was intensely interesting, and at times very
hamilton. John Paul, made most forcible
and able speechs in favor of the bill, and its
passage is largely due to the earnest active and
untiring efforts in the cause OF read ust1nent,
from the beginning of the session up to the pas
sage OF this bill The present session is Senator
Paul 11rst experience in Legislative life yet he
has already won a reputation for zeal, ability
and craftsmanship, which many older statesmen
might envy. and cannot fail to commend him
anew to his Valley constituents. They have Just
cause to be proud of him.
Senator Paus reply to the speeches of Senator
Daniel and Bland was marked with force. elo- |
quence and fervor, and there was silence in the
Senate Chamber and galleries. which attested
very strongly, that his listeners all atten-
ton. He proved himself fully the peer of the
eminent gentlemen who opposed him, and fully |
sustained the expectation of his party and COLA
borers, In the cause of the people against the
monied magnates OF the land.