The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-08-19
speak,ns at Bland Courthouse.

AS announced in our last Issue the puDllc
speaking previously announced TO take
place on Thursday at SharonD came on al
Bland Courthouse on that day. The sIVl-
sion OF time was made by the speakers OF
the repeating persuasion, who had given
notice OF their intention to address the PEG.
pIe on that day, and was equal to the OPP
posing side in hours, and arranged as fol-
lows Blair to lead off with half an hour,
Walker to follow with IN hour, Daniel next
with IN hour, and Massey to close with an
hour and a half.
The courthouse bell rang at IA O'Clock
and an audience Of about 800 persons were
present to hear a discussion on the much.
agitated debt question.
Captain F..S. Blair was introduced to the
audience by Mr.. Wylie, and in his usually
earnest style occupied bis time in denun.
ciatory terms Of the compromise bill and in
championing I" Little Billy Mahone," who
was present, and doubtless pleased at the
soft words which fell upon his ear from the
Captain. Captain Blair claimed to be Of 6
party who " are the true Conservatives" anG
IN his remarks he left himself very vuInera
oe to the sharp contradictions which came
from Walker aud Daniel as they followed in
their turn.
GENERAL JAMES A. WALKER
was handsomely introduced by Samuel W.
Williams, Esq, and proceeded to occupy the
time allotted him BY delivering one OF the
most conclusivelv argumentative speeches
that we have yet heard in favor OF the settle.
ment Of the State debt on the basis Of the re.
cent act Of the Legislature. He stated an
array OF facts, known TO our readers, in re-
ference to the actual amount OF the debt, and
dared contradiction in bis statement that
one dollar OF the debt was contracted after
the opening Of the war, when the Repealers
were constantly harplng upon it as the
"war-debt." General Walkers ability as
an orator is widespread, and il an unbiased
man (who heard i3 can say that bis Thurs.
days speech was not crowning effort, able
and sound to the core, convincing and
filled with ineontrovertible argument, we
acknowledge ourself to be no Judge. The
General tore Captain Biair's speech into
shreds and handed the shreds over to
MAJOR JOSH W. DANIEL, ss;sa
who was introduced to the audience by Mr.
Williams, and when it is conceded fact by
those who have heard the eloqueaoe Of this
noble Virginia orator and statesman that be
could not speak without speaking with an
entrancing skill and ease, we hardAy know
what reference to make to him whs Oils the
hearts OF SO many OF bis eountryKen, and
who wins friends to him and the cause he
espoases wherever be goes. He adaocated
in the glowing brilllancy and ardor peculiar;
to him the cause Of justice in the mater Of
the debt question, and appealed only TO the
honor and good sense Of his attentive lis
tenerS to sustain the action OF the late Lee
gissature in its settlement. .., t.,...
REV. JOHN e. NAss8y >.'i. .'5'
was introduced by Mr. Wylic, and when q
goodly portion of the audience begun 70
leave the courthouse the 1sOtd-han-N oa~
Afraid-ottbe-H lot w Gather - tmmedlateE
proceeded to claim his own division OF tlme
as disadyantageous TO him. The advantage
of closing I'm q discussion is too obvious to
suppose that It vas selected for (or bJ1 Mr.
Massey with auy other impression. We
saw his worn manuscript, and having ten
miles to drive. and not caring to bear the
document. we left the court
house, but learn from those who heard him
out that his remarks we're simply the " Oft
repeated story -
u if the speaking at Bland Courthouse
Thursday wss alythias. like victory for
the Reporters, give them many such, and It
will be but rope for their own hanging
.4flttheltiiG E3stessDfi 81: & ~: 4 ~