Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-08-16
Speech Of Hon. John 7. Harris.

The following is the substance of the
speech delivered by Hon. John T. Har>
ris in the late State Conservative DEM
ocratic Convention in response to calls
upon him:
We have met here for the purpose of
electing by our primary action Gov
ernor of Virginia. 1 have myself some
experience in political affairs. I have
surveyed the whole field with calm
judgment, and I am certain, if you are
prudent, as believe you will be, in
framing your platform, and wise in the
selection of your candidates, you need
have no fears of the result. Against
whom are you contending? When I
was boy the old Whig and Democratic
parties fought in generous rivalry for
the control of the Government, and
whichever succeeded our State was
safe. How changed is the scene now.
Here are assembled old Democrats and
Wings animated by a like pHrpose to
10 their duty in this canvass. On the
other hand, the candidates of party
are now in the field who represent 81 900
of the 221, 900 of the voters of Virginia.
The candidate for Governor of this face
ton admits that he cannot be elected
by his own kin and blood and color.
Here Judge Harris drew a copy of the
Whig and caused merriment by his ex-
hibition of it. He said he knew what
his own party was doing, and took the
paper of his adversary to learn what
they were saying and doing. He adj
ded: I find in this paper, the organ of
Col. Cameron, report of his Petersburg
speech. 1t took good care not to pub
I;nI, T. Tb nm fro cnoooh ho-
cause it was not carefully prepared, but
cause it was made after mature consid-
Grafton. In this report he found that
Col. Cameron said the negroes had been
fighting for success, but had failed.
Now, under new leaders they could win
the fight and secure their civil and p0-
litical rights. If lie were here to- might,
said Judge Harris, 1 would ask. him
what right, civil or political. has been
denied the colored man by the white
people of Virginia In this same Pc
tersburg speech. according to the Whag's
report, said Judge Harris, he reiterated
that he would carry Africa into the
war to give them the blessings of q
good government. He also said, xd-
dressing the colored people, il am
beaten it is your fault and will be your
misfortune-thuse exciting the negroes
to hostility to the white people. Col.
Cameron stated in the same speech that
if he were not elected, these negroes, he
declared, would be relegated to state of
slavery worse than the days of loyal
leagueism. He further said he was in
rebellion against the Democratic party,
and the negroes are its enemies. In his
Russell speech, according to the Whag's
report, Col. Cameron said: II did say l
will carry Africa into the war, just as
Gen. Lee wanted to do in the interest
of peace" Judge Harris said, by way
of comment, Gen. Lee came before a
committee of the House of Delegates, OF
which / was a member, and said he
wanted the negroes to fight in defense OF
lost cause, and that without them he
could not hold Richmond. Like Gen.
Lee, Col. Cameron wants Africa to aid
him in a lost cause; but while Gen,
Lee wanted them to fight against Vir-
ginia's invaders, Col. Cameron wants
them to fight against his kin and blood.
The Coalitionists, that is their name,
said Judge Harris. talk of Bourbons
and Grip-Sackers. The Grlp-Sackers
with them are Republicans who want
office. Now, the Coalitionists are grip
ping all slong the line, for he knew not
he said, one prominent member of Col
CamerOn's party who does not hold m
office or who has not sought or con-
tracted for one. want our candidate
to meet Cameron. Think of a man
said he, seeking the Office once held by
Jefferson and Patrick Henry who hal
to admit that his own race cannot cleo
him Judge Harris closed his speech
Ia an eloquent strain, and wss hearth.
|applauded.