The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-10-28
The Discussion on Monday Last.

the OeVeUUn congressman DiSoii o's ~NN
and Junior editor of the VIRGINIAN, an
nounced last week that he would adj
dress the citizens of Staunton and Augusts
county at the Court House on last Monday
and invited discussion. This invitation
was accepted by the representatives o.
the Bourbon faction of the Democratic
party, and terms agreed upon for a discus
sion between Alex. F. Robertson, Esq, 6
courteous gentleman and a fair. conserva'
tive party man. and the Republican elector
Subsequently Mr.. Robertson was with
drawn from the arrangement by the Demo
cratic management, we presume, and Meade
F. White, ESQ.,, one of the Democrat Dis
trict canvassers, substituted. The division
of time between the speakers as agreed
upon was, that Mr.. White should lead OF
in speech of three quarters OF an hour.
Mr., Yost to follow in the same length OF
time, and each to rejoin in fifteen minutes
On Monday morning this arrangement was
changed, at the suggestion OF Mr.. White,
as we learn, because of sore throat, sc
that each should make single speech Of
an hour, Mr.. White to speak first. The
time for the discussion to take place was
fixed at - o'clock. A few minutes before
that time representative OF the Democrat
ic local organization came to Mr.. Yost with
another proposition and that was to substi-
tute Hon james w. Marshall, of Craig
nd ,.af.r 70
the original division of time as agreed upon
at first between Messrs. White and Yost.
To this the latter made no objection, ex-
pressing his willingness to accommodate
the opposition in any fair way it was their
desire to have their cause represented.
We did not hear the discussion, our bust
ness demands requiring our attention 9th
erwise. except for about ten minutes. What
we learned OF both efforts came from Dem
ocrats ard neutrality-suspicious. impair
tial and competent to judge-and there was
but one opinion expressed and that favora
BILE to the effort of the Republican elector.
The facts and arguments upon the financial
management of the respective parties. the
tariff and the general character and acts o.
the two organizations were received and
listened to attentively by political friend
and foe, and from the remarks we heard
from intelligent Democrats, must have left
profound impression. 1t was the kind OF
speech to which an Augusta county ALL
dience had not been privileged to hear
A. Tom 4 n11 sod
to their reason aud Judgment, and not an
appeal to their passions and prejudices, and
the respectful attention and frequent de-
monstratiens of approval, attested their
appreciation of the effort. We understand
that Mr.. Marsha did not present single
strong point or refute any proposition made
by his opponent.
One thing was very patent the Republl-
cans especially were delighted with the re-
suit and went to their homes determined
to redouble their efforts to poll the full
strength of the party in the county.
Notwithstanding the fact that Mr.. Yost
had to leave the city Monday evening in
order to fill an appointment at Monterey,
ulby lulIoS uIStdit. UiI tuc AOuOWilS Jay =
the 26th. when the time of the disputants
had expired, loud calls were made for Mr..
Meade F. White, by the Bourbons, to come
to the stand and endeayor to repair the
damage which had evidently been done by
the discussion just closed. This was in vio-
lation of the implied understanding, and
was an indicate proceeding which Mr..
White should have instantly discounte-
nanced. 1t had all the appearance of a put
up job to double teams on the Republicans,
when it was known the Elector could not
remain. and to it he entered very positive
and determined protest. The audience re-
cognized the injustice Of it, and without
respect to party left the Court House in
great numbers, thus preventing great con-
fusion, and at the same time rebuking an
impertinence and officiousness which re-
flected no credit upon those who were guilty
of it.
During the discussion between Messrs.
Marshall and Yost, we are informed, sever
al of the young lawyers were busy taking
notes and writing down suggestions for the
use and enlightenment of their representa-
tive, but with all their wonderful capacities
and combined efforts the Judgment of the
audience. both Democrats and Republicans,
was that the Republican cause had been
triumphantly maintained.
We have refrained from criticising as it
deserves the spirit of unfairness which was
manifested by the Bourbon faction at the
close of the discussion to foist Mr.. White
upon the audience, underth circumstances,
after his engagement had been abandoned,
We presume, with his consent, and for the
reason assigned, indisposition. But as the
people seemed to properly appreciate the
situation and the motives actuating, the re-
buke came more properly from them than
it would come from us. One thing was
plain, from all that we could learn. and that
was that considerable Generalization and
chagrin was felt, and the aim was to re-
trieve what they had lost. But they only
made things worse, as they found their ar
were for once put stop to. The people
themselves had gotten enough of that. and
were in no mood to submit to it on this oc-
casion No better indication could be
given of the fast failing power and influ-
ence of Bourbonism in Augusta county than
was given on last Monday. Their excuses
are reacting upon them, and it will not be
very long before they will realize that
abuse, epithet, prejudice ana passion are
not the weapons with which to win endur-
ing confidence or recommend any cause to
popular acceptance.
Shenandoah Valley r. r. Extension.
Hon. ]. F. Kimball, President of the Shen-
andoah Construction Company, which is now
pushing along the work on the Shenandoah
Valley Road, was at Waynesboro', last week,
where he met Maj. Jed. Hotchkiss, of this
place, for consultation. 1t was determined to
at once place corps of engineers on the ex-
tension of this improvement South, with a
view to speedily entering upon the
location OF the line and construction of the
work Southwark. Mr.. Kimball is now exam