The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-05-16
from the Virginia People,
The yYI1heVlEEG Speaking.

1t was our pleasure TO attend the Sfeal
oratorical tournament In Wytheyille last
Monday. 1t was probably the hottest, best
contested, and ablest debate held in Viz
ginia since the opening OF the discussion OF
the debt questicn-prohaby rs able dis
cuSsion as was ever heard on the hastings
OF the State. The speakers were James A.
Walker and John W. Daniel on the part OF
the debt-payerS. and John Paul, Abraham
Fulkerson, and John E. Massey on the part
OF the rcadiusters. The agreement OF those
who had the matter in charge was: Each
side to have three hours, which time was
distributed as follows: Walker 10 open in
one and 4 half hours Paul to follow in one
aud quarter hours; Fulkerson, half hour !;
Daniel, one and half hours; Massey to
close in one and quarter hours.
General Walker consumed his time in
what 10 our mind seemed to be one OF the
closest and most compact arguments from
facts and figures we ever heard. TWAS tn
auswerable, and stands, as did the old brig
ade, like stone wall between Virginia and
ruin. His speech was attentively listened
to and was we'll received, as was attested by
manifestations of applause. .--..
John Paul followed in aneloquent speech
for his side. He is a good speaker and very
effective. We liked him, and only regret
that be was not in better cause. We will
leave him with his friends for praise. His
speech was also received with frequent
manifestations of applause.
Colonel Fukerson, who is well known to
our readers, followed with some well-di-
rected shots at the debt.payers. The Col
onel is strong man and hard to handle,
but lie could do but little execution, as he
had but 4 half-hour allotted to him.
Next followed glorious John Daniel, the
littlest and biggest man in Virginia. We
have not the ability to describe that speech !;
it was beyond description. II ever man
swayed multitude, that multitude in
Wytheville was carried by John Daniel.
With that keen dissecting knife, Logic, did
he rip open the body Of reimbursement, and
with eloquence unequalled absolutely made
the carcass stink in the nostri|S OF the PEG.
pie. Cheer after cheer greeted him as he
sent the home-thruSts to the very yitals.
Never will the people of Wythe county for
get that speech.
John E. Massey. who to our mind is the
ablest Gebater in Virginia in the readjuster
ranks. had the misfortune to have to speak
to crowd who had been standing and lis
tening for nearly five hours. Few men could
have held it as heidi. But took his entire
hour and quarter 10 parry the blows OF
Walker and Daniel. he was entirely on the
defensive, aud when his time was out he
had not: as it seemed to US, answered one
solitary. argument, but had only softened
some or the fearful blows be had received.
The 'anYil" had been struck by n spilc-
driver, and had been cracked-it didn't
ring clearly.
The meeting was very large and stormy,
and at times a general row seemed i'm nil
nent.. Cool heads and true hearts were all
that prevented difficulty. at one time a
colloquy between Walker and Fulkerson
produced such excitement that it seemed
certain difficulty would be the result.
Again, when General Terry INTERRUPTED
Dir. Massey il seemed almost impossible to
avoid a general, melee. But, fortunately,
the better, nature prevailed, and all, went
smooth again. t .Essl... -
We think great good was done at the
Wytheyille discussion, and we are more
than gratifed at the result. Wythe is claim
ed by the readiusters by 500 majority. The
demonstration Monday disproyes the claim.
The decentralization OF their party BY the
logic and eloquence of Walker and Daniel
cannot be overcome. Such discussions
always result in good. We have strous
and abiding faith in the people, and when
ever this question is fully discussed it is
certain to result in victory for the debt.pay-
ers, for they are right, and the great mass Of
the people only want to know, the right to
Nh II 80