The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-10-27
STAUNTON.
THE POLITICAL DISCUSSION TBSTERDAr-A
GREAT SPEECH PROM Mr.. KEILBY-GREAT
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES SCORE FOR OLD AU-
GUsTA.

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES SCORE FOR OLD AU-
GUgTA.
Correspondence OF the Richmond Dspatoh.l
OCTOBER 25, 1881.
Yesterday was day OF unusual interest
in StauntOn. Besides being C0unty-COurt
day, which always attracts more OF less OF
a crowd in Augusta, the announcement OF
A discussion between Colonel Skinner, one
OF the Democratic candidates for the House
OF Delegates, and Captain III. ii. Riddle
berger, also speech from Hon. A. NJ.
Kelley, OF Richmond, drew O very large
crowd, and shortly after the speaking COM
menced the courthouse was packed below
and abov0 until there was not even stand
ing-room. Colonel Skinner opened in
sDeech Of an hour and half, and made
one of the best political speeches
ever delivered in that courthouse. His
calm, logical, and unanSwerable presenta-
ton OF the grounds of his political faith,
and the position OF the Democratic-Con-
sentative party in this important campaign,
was stated with an honesty of conviction
and an earnestness that secured the atten-
ton Of even his bitterest opponents, and
elected unwilling applause from the Oppo-
sition, the colorcd people in the gallery
Joining in with will. In answer TO the
question, ''Is there an honeet cOl0red man
in .hio ..ldience who is not willing to pay
Just one dollar 10 the support OF this beneil-
cent government" the reply came from
the gallery, ."Nol mol" care you will
ing that the worthless fellow at your side,
who pays nothing for the support OF the
government, should tic your vote at the
Dolls?" "No; not a bit OF it'll" But /
can't in this brief report follow Colonel
Skinner in his splendid speech. He was
spplauded all through his spesch. and long
and loud at its conclusion.
When Captain Riddleberger arose to re-
ply he was also loudly applauded by his
friends, who had come in considerable
numbers from all parts OF the county, but
| il was evident that they were largely in the
minority. Dir. RiddlcbeTger is q good de-
! batter, and ready with his statements and
replies, however illogical and fallaciOus
they may be, and his friends seemed TO be
delighted with tho political Brunswick
stew he scrYed up 10 them, and cheercd
him with tlicir hats of, and their cause
nourished. He had free and easy way Of
answering questions put to him from the
audience, and owning up TO the charges OF
| Colonel skinner, that took with many
I .
A man in the audience, tired OF
his rigmarolc, called out, 4" Tell US
about Wise and the duel" Another
said, "Tell US about the tissue-ballOts."
lie did not appear TO hear the last, but said
to the first man, :" by friend, you can learn
n great deal more about a duel by going
and lighting one" When charged by Col.
| Skinner with his Inconsistency, after head
ing acknowledgements ticket rs elcctor
at large last fall, permitting his name TO be
used in Republican caucus in the United
States Senate, he said Yes, did il.
General Malone told me that il would
allow my name TO be used he would elect
me, and told him to use it. Was there
any harm in thats" (Cries, "No," " Yes
"Yes."l "Wcll, &en, il II was wrong,
chsrge 1t TO me. IL is nothing against the
ReadlUster party, Why, Colonel, the place
Was worth $1,000" This sally amused
some OF the coiored people highly.
-Four hours were consumed in the dis
cussion. will not attempt TO give any 70
port Of it, but at its close the crowd, having
yelled themselves hoarse, dispersed in good
humor and good was done 10 the thinking
part Of the audience, and Augusta may bC
certainly counted largely for the Daniel
Koiner, Hanger. aad Skinner ticket, Tho
! Khig to the contrary Notwithstanding.
AT night Ms. a. nj. Kelley, OF your city
was received at the 0pera-House by {
splendid audience, and made a speech
which viii never be forgotten in Staunton
II Is pronounced by many the best speech
on the canvass heard here. His presents
ton Of his subject carried conviction u
many who had not before believed, and hi
magnificent flights Of eloquence caused hi
( audience to hold their breath till his grand
periods were concluded, and then the roo
shook with the laundering applause.
The Board OF Directors OF the Baldwin
augusta county, Fair decided at meet
! ing Yesterday 10 have no Fair this year
tho drought, Yorktown, and the State Fail
having, in their opinion, inteIfered VIII
the prospect OF a successful exhibition.
PENN.