Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1878-10-12
PclillcaI Dlsousslon.


a vey pleasant political engagement took
place 10 this town "a Friday afternoon last
The election being over now, We will allude
only very briefly 10 IT, Hon B + Martin,
che Democ7a;io nominee for Congress, was
here to sll sn appointment to address the
geople. Ion. Juo. A. Thomson, Independent
National Greeuback labor candidate had
,aale an appointment for Thursday evening,
but learning Of the coming Of Mr.. Martin,
deferred lis speaking to Friday afternoon that
Sc might Cross sabres with him \ piut
discussion was agreed upon. Hon. D. b.
Lucas announced the agreement as follows
The discussion 20 be opened by Mr. Martin in
one hour and a quarter speech; Mr. Thomson
q reply 10 the same length Of time, aud Mr.
Martin 20 conclude by a response Of twenty
minutes. This was agreed upon by both
speakers. Jul. Mr.. Thomson said II he didut
say an be desired 10 his hour and quarter
lie would take the liberty Of speaking after
Mr.. Martini conclusion that reminded US
Of the man who when about 70 die, being
advised by bis wife that +, would be good
ching 20 become rec0ncilcd 20 a certain life
long enemy, and urged by her 10 forgive him,
responded 90 forgive him but it get well
10 won't ,ouat. Nlr. Martin began by allud-
Ing 20 ,he anomalous position occupied by him
-of an enga 3cmeut with a political foe in
front, AMI friend on the flank. After pleas
auIy refeyriug % the friendly relations
existing betw,ea himself aud Mr. Thomson,
he entered upon a discussion Of lhe financial
issues that occupy the attention OF the people
above an other issues, and showed by facts
from tie record tia, tle great Democratic
party was En- accord with all tie advanced
iIeas OF the intelligent masses upon the money
question, aad that 10 and through the Demo
cratic parry alone c5sl The people OF this
country ,ypsct relief lie gave irrefngiJle
proofs tia, the evils Of the day were attributa-
DE % the uuw;se legislation by the Republican
party during the past sixteen years. lie
declared himself 70 be a representative Of the
genuine grecnback party, and that Mr.. Thou-
son was not.
Mr. Thomson made a speech ab5ualins IL
theories with which Lis numerous articles on
"uLat is money" have made the people here
familiar; reiterated iis belief in the propriety
Of an issue of money by the general govern
mert 20 tue States, AMI by the States to the
Counties and by tie Counties to The people
an idea original with Mr. Thomson aui o
which be is the sole advocate He wanted
fat money! currency based upon tie
commodities Of the whole nation. lie was
listened to at,eotiyely Mr. Martin replied
and by reference TO a published letter Of Mr..
Thomson, proved that consistency with him
was mol. ca Jewel" lie read from letter Of
2Ir. Thomson to Mr.. Wade Of Ohio 10 1869,
wherein be a,tribated all the Ills Of the coun-
Try to paper money, and called gold aud silver
the peoples money. That he. Ms Thomson.
wasopposel "top paper money IN all its froms.
The production Of this paper was overvheim-
irg-so much so that the sympathies Of the
audience were for Mr.. Thomson, whilst the
Lurrahs were for Martin Thus e1d,i the
meeting
81 night Mr. Martin was serenajed by The
Brass Band, AMI happily addressed the
assent lei multitude from the Hotel balcony